Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-24
SATURDAY."........MARCH a. 1888.
Chief Justice Waite.

Chioi-Jusuce Waite
Death yesterday called 10 the Great
High Court the most exalted Judicial
figure in the land. MoBmsoy RENcE
WAITE, Chief Justice Of the Supreme
court Of the United States brcathed his
last in Washington city, after a short
illness. This event VIII cause sincere re-
gret throughout the country, for
it removes from our midst a good
man, conscientious Judge, en- or
nament 70 the bench and the legal
profession, who rose TO prominence not
on the tide of chance or the waves Of
political passion. but by his own might
and ability. Mr.. WAITE was born in
Lyme, Conn, November %, 1916, and
the years he had been on the bench OF
the Supreme tribunal Of the country by
no means mark the bounds of his public
services. He was the Oldest OF eight chill
dren OF HENRY MArsoN WAITE, himself
O distinguished lawyer and Judge. At
lineage Of seventeen the future Chief JUS
tice entered Yale College, from which he
was graduated with high honors in 1887.
Among his classmates were WILLIAM VI.
EvARTs, EDWARDS PElRPoET, and Pro-
lessor BENJAMIN SILLiMAN, Jr. At
ter leaving college young WAITE
pursued his studies for a short
time in tho Office of his father,
at Lyme, but in October. 1888. removed
10 Ohio, and entered the law Office of
SAMUEL NJ. YoUNG, of Maumee City. The
following year he was admitted to the
bar, and formed q partnership with Mr..
YoUNG. and in 1S49 was elected to the
Ohio House Of Delegates to represent the
Biaumee district. His term expired in
1850, when the firm opened an Office in
Toledo, Ohio, Of which Mr.. WAITE took
charge. In 1872 Mr. You're removed to
Toledo, and the firm Of You've x WAITE
continued until RICHARD WAITE came to
the bar. The brothers then formed a
partnership, and this continued until the
elevation OF the senior member to the
Supreme bench. Early in Mr.. YATES
career his legal ability commanded recog-
milton, and as far back as the fities he
was acknowledged to be one OF the lead
ing advocates and councillors in the
Northwest.
In political affliation Mr.. WAITE had
been a Wing, but upon the dismomber-
ment of that party became a Republican,
as he remained until the day of
his death. lie was, however, never
radical. Indeed it may be
said that in his political life was
foreshadowed that conservatism which,
as a rule, marked his course as Chief
Justice. Though an earnest and active
member of the Republican party, par
ticularly during the war, be more than
once was found barring the way to the
execution Of extreme measures, as he
afterwards as Chief Justice was found
checking 1.-The swing OF the pen
dulum" too far beyond the limits
of the Constitution. He supported the
policy of Mr.. LINCOLN and all the
war measures OF the Government, but
was firm and consistent in his opposition
70 the Stalwarts, especially those who
demanded the confscation OF the pro-
perty of leading Confederates and stood
upon what was known as the radical
antislavery platform. In 1862 he ran as
an Independent Republican in the Tenth
congressional district of Ohio, the
call for the convention which nominated
him being signed by both Republicans
and Democrats, and though he was
beaten by an extremist, the latters plu-
rality was only 1,l27 votes. Mr.. WAITE
was afterwards rendered by Governor
BRoUaH a seat on the Supreme Court
bench OF Ohio, but declined it.
In November, 1877, Mr.. WAITE
was selected by General GRANT as
ono Of the three counscl-his associates
being WILLIAM NJ. EvARTs and CALgn
CUsHMG-to represent the United States
before the Geneva Arbitration Tribunal.
The appointment WAS unsought by
him.. but he accepted it and |
achieved an international rcputa- |
ton. 1t is claimed that to his !
Argument on the liability of the English |
Government in the cases OF the Florida, |
Alabama, aud Shenandoah was 6ue the |
discisioa OF the tribunal, resulting in an
indemnity Of Sl5,50C, 900 being paid to
the United States. in January, 1873. he
was admitted TO practice in the Supreme
Court. and in April following was noni-
mated by both parties and unnni-
mously elected delegate to the
convention called 10 frame q new Cousti- !
tuition for the State OF Ohio. The con-
vention assembled in May and he vas
chosen its president
In January, 1877, Mr.. WAITE was
nominated by President GRAST to be |
Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court and /
the Senate confirmed Dissemination 10y
vote which for approach TO unanimity |
has seldom been equalled lie took the
oath OF Office March 4, 1874. Chief JUS !
tico WAITE was man OF re-
msrkable administrative as well as
judicial ability, great exactness,
and indeiatigable industry. He was |
deeply conscious Of the great re-
sponsibility that rested upon him, and |
as both judge and man was above re-
proach. he was true TO himself, true TO
bis oath, true 10 the trust confded 10
him. No faint Of political mire chung TO
bis robes. AS he saw his duty he
stroye 10 do IL, fearless OF censure
and uninfuenced by the hope of
applause. His opinions were clear