St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1888-03-24
PUBLIC SENTIMENT.
Estimate of His Character by
Those Who Knew Him Best,

General Williams and Caleb Cushing,
both of whom encountered much OppO-
SitiOn, and after time their names were
W .thdrawn and Mr.. Waite was nOmi-
mated. He had been an independent Re-
publican candidate for congress against
one of Mr.. Summers warm personal
friends and had incurred the enmity of
Mr.. Sumner, who at that time also en-
tertained no very friendly relations
toward the Grant administration. The
proceedings of the senate, though more
than dozen years have since elapsed,
are still covered by the veil Of execu-
tive secrecy, yet it was well known that
Mr.. Summers speech in opposition to
Mr.. Waite was one of the strongest eff
forts of that remarkable mans life. He
dwelt historically upon the eminent
services and attainments of each one in
the long line of incumbents of the office
of chief justice and spoke in bitter
terms of disparagement of Mr.. Waite'S
qualifications. SlXty-three senators
were present and listened for two hours
with respectful attention to the senator
from Massachusetts. No voice was
raised in defense of the nominee, yet
when the question of confirmation came
to vote (which was Immediately upon
the conclusion of Mr.. Summers Speech),
SiXty-twO senators voted in the afflrma-
tive and Mr.. Sumner did not vote at all.
How far astray Mr.. Waite'S opponents
were i'm their estimate of his character
in the sentiments expressed by public
men who have known him.
Senator Edmunds, chairman of the ju-
dietary committee and warm personal
friend of the late chief justice, said:
''My first acquaintance with Mr.. Waite
was when he was named as one OF the
Geneva arbitratOrs, about the year
1912. He came on to Washington,
practicing lawyer, of no national repu-
tati0n, but fair state reputation as
man of solid strength, solid thought
and of the highest personal honor and
rectitude of character, that everybody
acknowledged. In the course of the
proceedings of the Geneva tribunal, he
had his first opportunity to show his
great capacity for affairs and his under
standing of the principles of inter
national questions. From President
Grants acquaintance with him on that
occasion he came to have for him the
highest respect and regard, and so it
was natural, after his unfortunate
efforts to find suitable chief justice,
for the president to think of Mr.. Waite.
The president suggested his name to
several senators, and all, so far as l
know, of whom friendly inquiry was
made, Immediately and gladly fell in
with the suggestion, though it might
have seemed to many of the lawyers
and public men of the United States a
somewhat hazardous experiment to
select a man for that great office who
had been so little acquainted with
public affairs and who was so little
known to the bar of the country. He
was nominated and confirmed by the
senate. What took place in respect to
his confirmation by the senate, L have
ment he took his seat as chief
Justice of the supreme court. | have
practiced in that court from year to
year ever since, and, it being SO near
the senate chamber, / haYe almost
every day been in the court. even when
not called there professionally, and so |
have had perhaps as good an OppOrtun-
ity as any lawyer OF senator could have
to see his public bearing and conduct,
and to know good deal of his relations
with his associates, as well as with the
bar. / can say with entire candor that
/ don't think there ever was an instance
in any time or country where the rela-
tions of presiding magistrate with the
bar or with his associates were more
dignifed and harmonious and at the
same time perfectly friendly and cor
dial. He represented the dignity, the
public decOrum that should exist in
such tribunals, and at the same time eX-
ercised every kindly courtesy and every
generous discretion that could be eXer-
cised toward the bar and his associates,
so far as his sense of justice would per-
init him to go. His opinions, | think, on
broad questions of fundamental law
and of the application of principles to
the affairs of men will stand well with
those of the most eminent of judges.
He looked at the substance of things
and had very little taste for technical
considerations that did not affect the
ultimate merit of the cause. / think
his candor was extraordinary. What
ever might be his previous impression,
he did not allow the cOmbativeness of
intellect to lead him to maintain the Op-
position against sufficient reasons in the
opposite direction. In his personal
and private life he was one of the
most gentle, cordial and approach
able men | ever met, and his
kindness of heart was so great that in
the midst of affairs and society here,
where he must have known so many
instances of evil and imprOpriety.. l
don't remember ever to have heard him
make a censOriouS or unkind remark to
any person in the world, or to mention
circumstance or employ witticism
against or at the expense of another.
| feel the more ready to say this so
broadly, for my personal and private
intercourse with him has been for the
whole period of his life here of the most
intimate, friendly and confidential char
acter. There is no word of criticism
that can be said against him, and there
is everything to say for him in all the
respects that make up the just and up
right judge, the honorable, kindly and
Christian Citizen"
Secretary Bayard said: 81 had the
highest respect and warm personal
regard for the late chief justice, who
filled his great office with honor to him
self and great usefulness to the cOun-
try. He had the wise instincts OF pure
heart.''
Secretary Fairchild said: 81 was very
much surprised to hear of the death of
Chief Justice Waite, as l was not even
aware that he was ill. [ have had but
little occasion to follow his opinions
closely, and therefore am not in posi-
ton to give opinion upon his legal
ability. Our acquaintance, while purely
social, was exceedingly pleasant, and l
had very high regard for him."
Secretary EndicOtt said: II had the
greatest respect for Chief Justice Waite.
both as a lawyer and as man, and
think he inspired general confidence.
His death is great loss to the profess
sion and to the country. l have known
him ever since he was appointed, and
have seen a great deal of him during
the last three or four years. He was
strong man and most excellent judge.
In social intercourse with him. always
found him kind, interesting and agree
able"
Secretary Whitney said: ''The death
of the chief justice is great shock and
source of great regret. His great
quality. In nv Judgment, was his