Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1888-04-06
THE 80 GHIEE IusTTcE.
Brief Biography Of Judge Waite--H APP
poiament--0pini0ns Of Friends.
BEOGRAPHE.


Conn, Nov. %, 1916. He entered Yale
college at the age of II, and graduated
with honor in 1887, in class which
included William NJ. Evarts, Edward
Pierepont, Prof. StiIlman, and others.
who have become distinguished men.
He then began the study of law in his
fathers Office Ia Lyme, and finished
his studies in Maumee City, Ohio. In
1899 his preceptor took him into part
nership, and in 1850 the firm of Young
& Waite removed to Toledo, Ohio, and
established large and successful prac-
tice. A few years after Mr.. Yates
younger brother was admitted to the
bar and partnership was formed con
sisting of the two brothers, which con
tinued up to the time of the formers
appointment to the position on the su-
preme bench. Politically Mr.. Waite
was a republican, but he was also too
deeply engaged in his profession to be-
come much of a partisan or party leader.
To all the war measures of the govern
ment he gave earnest and effective sup
port. In 1S49 Mr.. Waite was elected
to the Ohio legislature as a wing. In
1862 he was reluctantly a candidate for
congress, but was defeated by Edward
M. Phillips. Thereafter other nomina-
lions and appointments were rendered
him, but he refused to accept any of
them. Mr.. Waite was 8 conspicuous
character in the great Geneva tribunal
as one of the United States counsel,
and he performed his arduOus task to
his great credit and to the entire salts
faction of his government. He there
after returned to Toledo and resumed
the practice of law, and in 1873 was
chosen president of the state cOnstitu-
tionaI convention. Upon the death of
Chief Justice Chase there was intense
interest throughout the United States
to know who would be his successor
HIS APPOINTMENT.
The circumstances of Justice Waite's
appointment and confirmation are still
fresh and formed a striking episode at
the time. President Grant had nomi-
mated successfully Attorney General
Williams and Caleb Cushing, both of
whom encountered much opposition,
and after a time their names were with
drawn and Waite was nominated. He
had been an Independent republican
candidate for congress against one of
Mr.. Summers warm personal friends
and had incurred the enmity of Sumner
who at that time also entertained no
very friendly relations toward the Grant
administration. The proceedings of
the senate, though more than a dozen
years have since elapsed, are still cover
| ed by the veil of executive secrecy, yet
it was well known that Summers speech
| IN opposition to Waite was one of the
strongest efforts of that remarkable
] \ L. L.
the eminent services and attainments 81
| each one in the long line of incumbents
of the Office of chief justice and spoke
in bitter terms of Disagreement of
/ Waite's qualifications. Sixty-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 con
! firmatiOn came to a vote, which was
/ Immediately upon the conclusion of
! Summers speech, sixty-twO senator's
voted IN the affirmative and Sumner did
! not vote at all. How far astray MIR.
/ Waite's opponents were IN their estl-
mate of his character and attainments
is strikingly displayed In the senti-
ments expressed by public men who
/ have known him.
OPINIONS OF COAIPEERs.
A number of senators were inter
viewed by Washington correspond
ent. and were unanimous in highly ex
tolling Judge Waite's judicial and So
cial qualities. Senator Edmunds,
warm personal friend, said: 81 have
/ practiced in that court from year to.
year ever since and have had, perhaps,
as good an opportunity as any lawyer
or senator could have to see his publit
bearing and conduct and to know
good deal of his relations with his
associates, as we'll as with the bar i
can say with entire candOr that do
not think there ever was an instance'
In any time or country where the rsza-
tiOns of a presiding magistrate with
the bar or with his associates were
more dignified and harmonious and at
the same time perfectly friendly and
cordial. His opinions, I think, on thu
fundamental law and of the application
of principles to the affairs of men VIII
stand well with those Of the most emi-
nent of judges. In his personal ano
private life he was one of the mos.
gentle, cordial and aPprOachable men
ever met, and his kindness of heart Wa
so great that In the midst of affairs anc
society / do not remember ever to have
heard him make a censoriOus or unkinC
remark to any person In the worIe
There is no word of criticism that car
be said against him and there is ever
thing to say for him in all respe
that make up just and upright iudge
and honorable, kind and Christian citi
: zen. Southern senators were particu
larry kindly IN their expressions of ~
gard for Justice Waite In all respect
l Attorney General Garland said: I re
/ crar7pd Chief Justice Waite as 81 mo