The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-01-14
CHIEF-JUSTICE WAITE.
How an 0pportune Mention of His Name by
Mr. DelanO Secured His Appointment.


A number of gentlemen were yesterday dis
cussing current topics in tho smokingroom of
the Gilsey House. They were visitors to the
city, but had all been prominent in official life
in the national capital not many years ago.
From one subject to another they drifted, call
Ing up interesting "reminiscences and relating
their experiences of Washington life and aperiod
when the Republican party touched the highest
point in its power. Name after name was men
toned of men who had welded great influence
and nodded legislation ard influenced execu-
tive action and policy but now forgotten
The serious illness of Chief-iustice Waite was
mentioned. 1t furnished the text for much gos-
sip about the man who comparatively unknown,
had been jumped over the heads of candidates of
celebrity and strong backing to succeed Salmon
2. Chase as the head of the judiciary branch of
the national government
"It was the queerest appointment that was ever
made during Grants two terms" said man
who halls from Ohio. Everybody was sur
pissed and none more so than men from our
State, where he lived I never could find out how
his appointment secured, for Grant did not
know him personally and no one from Ohio was
working for him"
''Wate was as much surprised as any one,"
said another gentleman. Il remember meeting
him just after he was confirmed. His father
had been Chief justice of Ohio, his grandfather
held similar position, | think, in Connecticut
and the whole family were lawyers and eminent
at the bar. He lived in Toledo, and had more
than once been offered the support of powerful
combinations for the congressional nomination,
and even for Governor with almost certainty
of success. But he refused to permit his name
to be used in such a connection. To intimate
friends he more than once remarked that his
ambition was to become Chief-iustice.
"Wate was made by man now living, who
has assisted more men to rise than almost any
other I know of. He certainly boosted greater
number of comparatively obscure men into prom
inenee, and power, and position than any other
during Grants eight years in the White House,
said an ex- auditor of the Treasury "And that
man, to the best of my knowledge, never received
much more than the thanks of the men he as
sisted, and that meant nothing 1t is notorious
that most of the men who profted from his in
terest in them not only forgot that service, but
at one time or another, gave him a kick and
turned out to be his enemies. I don't know
whether Waite ever did anything in opposition
to him, but have been told he never thanked
him for securing his appointment"
You don't mean to say that ex-Secretary De-
1ano got Grant to nominate Waite, do voup
asked the Ohio man.
you have made q good guess" said the ex-
auditor Columbus Deano's advice to Grant
secured Waite's appointment. When Secretary
of the Interior he was one of the most trusted
members of Grants Cabinet. Delano was very
d
never forgot his friends, he frequently went out
of his way to assist in placing men in prominent
positions for the sole purpose of strengthening
the administration and making the departments
more efficient. | think it was at his suggestion
that the President appointed Morrison r. Waite
one of the counsel for the United States before
the Alabama Claims Commission. Waite was
then practicing law in Toledo. He was asso-
ciated with William NJ Evarts in presenting
the claims of our government against England
at the Geneva arbitration. 1t was under
stood at the time that he did most of the work,
while Evarts got the credit But his argu-
ments and services were highly complimented
by Lord Chief justice Cockburn of England
Grant was greatly perplexed over the appoint
ment Of successor to the late Chief justice
Chase. Caleb Cushings nomination was re-
jected by the Senate; "Landaulet' Williams
had been the Presidents choice but the expos
ures killed him, and Roscoe Conkling had per-
emptorially refused the nomination There was
great delay in sending name to the Senate
Grant was bothered from morning until night
by the friends of men from all sections of the
country, many of whom would have adorned the
Office. There were more who possessed no quail
ifcations for the position, but were strongly
backed politically. One day when Secretary
d elano called at the White House he found the
President out of sorts. He had already listened
to the claims of several favorite sons urged by as
many different delegations Mr.. Delano had
called to consult him In reference to an inn
portant matter relating to the Interior Depart
ment that demanded prompt attention.
Never mind trife hike that" said Grant
This appointment of Chief-justice is worrying
the life out of me. Sit down; see if you can't
think of some man fitted for the position who has
not been mentioned. Every man whose name
has been presented is bound to be defeated Of
confirmation. / am tired of sending in names
and listening to the claims of so many others
who want their names to go before the Senate.
You are almost the only one who comes to see
me who hasn't some candidate to urge" Delano
had enough to bother him, but he that he
was expected to name some one and suggested
Morrison r. Waite.
'Who is this Waite, an Ohio manr asked
Grant
Don't you remember Mr.. Waite who was
counsel at Genevaf inquired the Secretary
Eyes, of course do. Do you know liked his
appearance very much when met him after his
returnP Delano answered the numerous queries
of the President. His establishment was great
when Grant asked: DO you think Mr. Waite
would accept the misunderstanding
!, 'Delano mentioned Waites refusal to accept