Richland beacon., 1888-04-07
WASHINGTON LETTER.
/E ran. ..lu 4

! washington, IL. T., Nch. rs, 1888.
The sudden and unexpected death of Chief
Justice Waite. of the United States Supreme
Court, on Friday morning. at his residence
in this city, was like thunderbolt from a
cloudless sky. Everybody was shocked.
Few people knew that he was sick, he having
on Monday presided over the session of the
Court which made some important decisions,
including the one il favor of the Bell Tee>
phone company. Justice Waite was very
popular in this city. He was loved and
revercd by everyone with whom he came in
contac, and his loss will bs deeply felt by a
large circle Of friends.
!''l.ca Waite was gu honest; painstakin.,
"Prsh, o'.cer, al! the sevent,, man who has
Ae!d tat distinguished place lie was ap-
POINTED Chief Justice f-..-n O..:o in 1874, by
President Grant, and was the successor of
Salmon p. Chase. The funeral services will
he held en- Wednesday in the Hall of the
House Of Representatives, and the remains
will be taken TO Toledo for intermen.. Mrs
Waite, who was visiting California at the
time of the Ju i;ce's death, is on her way to
Toledo, and is expected to reach there abou,
the time her husbands remains arrive there.
The political importance of this death can
hardly lie over estimated. 1.-THE proper ap.
poiniment shah he mads to the vacancy, il,
will have great effect towards bringing tie
Court back to tho strict construction of the
Constitution for which it was noted previous
to the late war. This appointment, owing to
the even manner in which tho opinions of the
eight Justices are now balanced, places more
power as well as larger responsibility on
Mr.. Cleveland, Than has probably ever before
fallen on President.
Still the country need have no fears. He
will appoint the right man. Among demo.
Gratis here it is pretty generally believed that
the appointments will 60 either to Speaker
Carlisle, or Postmaster General Dickinson,
although quite a number Of other gentlemen
are favorabiy mentioned. But verybody
may he sure the President will take his own
time TO fill this important position, afie,
carefully considering the claims Of all.
The House passed a bill! TO prevent the
products Of convict labor from being furnished
70 or for the use of any department of the
Government, and from being used in public
buildings or other prblic works, and TO pre-
ven, the employment of alien labor on pub
lie buildings and works and in the Govern>
men, departments.
Civil Service Commissioner Oberly, OF
illinois, is being favorably mentioned for the
vice residential nomination. Cleveland and
OLerly, does not sound 30 bad.
Chairman Barnum, Of the National Demo
cratic committee has been here for several
days. He says the outlook is all that could
he asked
The House committee on Revision Of the
Laws have reported favorably the joint reso>
luton proposing an amendment, to tho Cons
sti,u,ion for the cleciion OF United States
Senators Ly the direct votes OF tho people.
Senator Salisbury. Of Delaware. made a
strong speech in tie Senate on Thursday in
supper, of tho Presidents message. lie
SAID: "lhe Democratic p'siy il not in favor
OF free trade, but IL 10 earnestly Ia favor OF
reducing tariff rates 40 thai no greater taxa
hon would he imposed on the people than
was necessary to meet the jna dsmands Of
he government He further s,s,ed ,ba, he
was in favor Of teiaiuitg the 'axcs on b,sr.
whisky, aud tobacco ia order 10 relieve from !
axa,ion everything essential 10 the c.miUr /
md welfare Of the people.