The Hickman courier. [volume] (Hickman, Ky.) 1859-current, 1881-01-21
The Chief Justice Waite.

Of medium height, stocky build.
straight as an arrow, strong, firm, and
quick in movement, well-poised head,
dark, keen, piercing, though kindly,
eyes, large head, covered with thick
iron-gray hair, well-trimmed whiskers
fecked white, a cleanly-shaven upper
lip, large mouth, large nose, and
heavy chin-this is the outline In word
of the Chief Justice of the United States.
One may see this figure almost any
morning before eleven o'clock on the
avenue ON the way to the capitol, light,
quick. springing step, and face as eager
and kindly as a school-boy's. The Same
figure You will often see soon after four
o'clock, going in the opposite direction,
with movements not quite so brisk, and
face more settled and thoughtful.
When Mr.. Morrison r. Waite, of
Ohio, was appointed Chief Justice, in
January, 1874, the news was received
with surprise all over the country, and
no one was more surprised than Mr..
Waite himself His name had not been
publicly mentioned, for he was not
publicly known. He never heard his
name in connection with the office, and
therefore did not seek the office Instead,
he was as ignorant of his nomination as
the most obscure man in Toledo. He
was presiding over the State Constitu-
tional Convention when the news reached
him. At this exciting moment he showed
the same poise, f-possession. and
dignity that have made him distinguished
on the bench Although his appoint
ment was a universal surprise, this may
be said of the Chief Justice now, that
if there should be a vacancy in the
Chief Justiceship tomorrow, every judge
upon the Supreme Bench would vote for
him in preference to anybody except
himself SO with the lawyers practicing
at the bar. Judge Waite has won this
position by, first, bringing to the bench
an experience gained by long and sue
cessful practice; second, a practical,
executive mind; third, an even temper
and patience; fourth, good stalwart intel
| lect and quick judgment; fifth, firmness,
and, sixth, what is vulgarity called good
! ''horse sense. He went on the bench
| to do the business of the court in proper
manner, not for the purpose of making
himself candidate for the Presidency.
| He has succeeded and is succeeding. He
does not seek to make political or
! Judicial reputation 10y a clap-trap and
! fireworks. He is the same to-day he
was yesterday and he will be the same
| tomorrow Whatever he has to do he
will do faithfully, and he is willing to
wait for whatever reputation comes.
| John Marshall was Chief Justice for a
1 period of thirty-five years. Roger B.
/ fancy occupied the same position twenty
/ eight years. Judge Waite's brethren
upon the bench and the lawyers practic-
ing in the court all agree that for the
dispatch of business, for accuracy, for
attention to details, for courtesy to bench
and bar, and all the qualities necessary
in Chief Justice, Judge Waite is with
out peer With all his agreeable man
ners and amiability, his strong face and
heavy jaws point him ont even TO him
who runs as a man not to be trified with.
He is pretty sure TO do what he under
takes, or else physiognomy does not
amount to much.
Chief Justice Waite comes naturally
to the bar by descent. His ancestors
settled in Lyme, Conn, where he was
born, more than two hundred years ago.
There were many lawyers among them,
his father was Chief Justice of the State.
The present Judge Waite was the
youngest of eight children. He was
born in 1916, and is therefore sixty-four
years old-an admirably preserved man.
While at Lyme he passed all the joys
and sorrows of q boy. Sometimes the
world looked dark to him, and sometimes
it was full of JOY and promise. sup
pose it is so with every country boy.
In due time, however, he went to Yale
College. He was graduated with honor
when he was twenty-one years old. In
his class were William NJ Evarts,
Edward Pjerrepont, Prof. Benjamin Sill
Hman. Jun, and others who have since
become distinguished Even at that
early day he was noted for his evenly
developed and well-balanced mind He
studied law with his father, but before
ne was admitted he went to Ohio, finished
his studies, and was admitted to the bar
in 1S39.- Washington Republic.