The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-03-24

and spoke in bitter terms OF disparagement Of
Mr.. Waites qualifications Sxty-three Sena-
tors were present and listened for two hours
with respectful attention 70 the Senator from
Massachusetts,. No voice was raised in defense
of the nominee. yet when the question of con-
frmation came to a vote. which imm ediate-
" upon the conclusion of Mr.. Summers speech.
eixty-two Senators voted IN the afhrmat i've and
Mr.. Sumner did not vote at all
The personal appearance OF the Chief, justice
was not very imposing. He was of medium
height, with figure straight arrow,
despite his age, and largo. well-poised head,
covered with hair almost as white as snow. His
face thoughtful and kindly. A rather large
nose. dark keen, piercing eyes, and heavy
chin and jaw, covered with thick, well-kept
whiskers. made mp an ensemble that instinct
lively made one father the wish that the man
had been our friend. When he put en- his long,
silk robe, and, with dignified mien, assembled the
bench, he a little different His face lost
little of its CHEEKY expression; he looked digni-
fed and wise, befitted his Office, and appeared
the very embodiment of the just judge.
Perhaps there more surprised man in
the Union than was judge Waite in 1876. when
he was appointed to the highest place on the
Supreme Bench. He was scarcely known out
side OF his home in Toledo, and had not been
mentioned for the position His appointment
was great surprise, but had word to
urge against him. No seemed TO know any
thing about the gentleman, SO he was confirmed
by the Senate without opposition, and went TO
the capital to live. Unlike most. OF his prede-
cessors, he had his reputation to make after he
got TO the top of the ladder. and Perhaps every
one now. admits that ne won a name honestly
and without chicanery. He did not advertise
himself before the public; he did not try to use
HE high position stepplng-stone Co the pres
idency but he went quietly along doing his duty
Faithfully, attending to the business of the Ma
ton, and making reputation that will compare
favorably with that of Marshall, Chase and Ia
ney. Perhaps he was not as great as were
some of these, but the age seems rather to call
for useful than for great men. aI
The Chief Justice was who liked TO be
at home. and most OF his time was spent in hrs
pleasant residence on l street The house IS
large brick ediice, and there are clustered
ound it. perhaps, the residences of more dis
tinguished men than can be found 10 any other
section of the capital. Ascending tie few broad
steps we go in. Turning to the right we enter
the parlor. There is nothing remarkable about
the room. 1t is like hundred others you have
seen. There are tables, and setLees,sa and easy
chairs-no two alike. There pictures the
walls, bric-a-brac the tables and grand
piano in the corner. Through the partly open
fol ding door catch glimpse of a 1charming
and comfortable vista. Immediatelyein the rear
of the parlor is the library, with handsome book
cases, filed with 'well-worn volumes on every
conceivable subject But 1t is for the most part
elegant literature, such novels, poems and
books OF travel There are lazy looking lounges,
and huge chars that one could lose oneself in,
and the floor lies the latest novel
in paper cover, evidently finished and
thrown aside useless aaby its
reader. Back of this half study, half sitting
room, is the dining-room, rich, warm tasteful
and elegant You have plenty Of ROOM"
once remarked to the Chief-justice. Eyes" he
answered laughinely. ''but I manage to keep
touched the keynote of the hospitable ways of
the distinguished jurist. The social exactions
upon the Chief justice of the Supreme Court
were something enormous. Scarcely an evening
passed that reception. or dinner or parey
aid not demand his presence. Of course, the
position of Chief justice is at the head of
society, and he was much courted, not only
because of his exalted rank, but quite as much
on account of his culture and od-fellowship.
and few houses in Washington were more IN
favor with the fashionable visiting world that
GIBBS and surees in the capital like no other city
in America, than that of the late Chief justice.
The room In which the Chief Justice did his
work is well lighted and ventilated. tastefuly
carpeted and papered. and is a charming apart
ment A bright f1re glows and sparkles IN the
CRATE, rich, warm rug is in front of it, and the
large table Is drawn up close, SO as to get the
full benefit of the heat The desk is piled. with
leeal-lookng papers; from out the half-open
drawers peep others of the same character. AS
for books, there are hundreds of them all ar
ranged in precise rows in the bookcases, and
covered In conventional skeepskin. They are
all law books; you novels, poems, no
newspapers scattered around. In every avail
able spot on the walls where the bookcases do
not interfere are hung eneravings of
Judge Walte's predecessors. large F5&JgTS
graphs of Webster. Clay, Grant,
Hayes and other distinguished From the
top of a huge bookcase great stuffed owl. that
blem of pompous wisdom looks wisely down.
1t was in this coy room that Justice Waite did
most of his work. When he first went IT, the
Supreme Court he began doing trying To do
his work in the evening" but he found that
social duties demanded that portion of the day.
He made up his mind that he must workiin the
morning. so he rose early. and with no comnant
ion save his cup of coffee he did his worls while
most of his colleagues were still in theAand of
dreams. He had his breakfast at 10 e'cfscg,
and then went back to his work. only leaving il
when noontide drew Oh and his presence at
court was demanded. SIG 10 rs
--@-- Sea Ell =
THE SUCCESSION. Fl