New-York tribune., 1888-03-24
TIE LITE CHIEEJUNTICE.

The announcement of the death Of Chief
Justice Waite brings certain shock to the
country, because it came without warning. In
this respect it recalls the sudden and unex-
pected death of his predecessor But, per-
sonal considerations aside, Mr. Waite's disap-
pearance from the bench Of the Supreme Court
is an event of even deeper interest, because OF
it's political consequences. which may be OF vast
importance TO the country. For the first time
since the death Of the author of the Dred Scott
decision. Democratic Chief-Justicc will sit in
our highest court.
Mr.. Waits career as Chief-Justice was not
long one, but 1t was sufficiently prolonged
to enable him to earn high place on the roll OF
our Judges He was admirably qualified by
nature for judicial position and he came to
bis post with all the accumulated experience
Of o remarkably successful professional ca
reer. 1t fact, it was purely as lawyer ana
not as statesman. that he was chosen. lie
had devoted himself to bis profession with the
same assiduity and fidelity that he afterward
dedicated himself to the work Of his exalted
position refusing to be diverted from it by any
further whisperings OF ambition. Not the
least among the things for which he will be
remembered will be the fact that he sternly
made it clear that he would not be regarded as
a candidate for the Presidency. and so, as far
as it was in his power, took the Supreme Court
out of politics His independence Of political
considerations was shown in the Ku-klux,
Civil Rights and other decisions. in which nc
did not hesitate to set aside Republican egIsla-
ton which he believed to be unconstitutional.
any more than he was deferred BY the fear OF
being accused Of friendliness to great corpora
tions from joining In the decision for the Bell
Telephone Company, the rendering OF which
was his last official action.
He will not be remembered as man intel
lectually great perhaps. but as having an in
tuitive judicial faculty. q man Of the strictest
sense Of Justice lawyer Of high rank, con-
scentious industrious and faithful and in his
personal character, simple minded, pure and
admirable-a nature without flaw. His mod
esty was one of his most conspicuous traits.
His selection was literally. surprise to him,
as we'll as to the country, but the slight feeling
of distrust with which it was first received,
largely because he had not been prominently
brought before the people in official positions,
soon wore away as his sterling qualities be-
came apparent. His progress in the esteem OF
the country has been steady and rapid, until
now he leaves behind him well-rounded fame,
all the more secure because it is free from any
sensational element
This sudden change will precipitate upon the
country in the approaching campaign the ques-
tion of the political complexion Of the Supreme
Court. When M Waite's successor has been
appointed two places will he filled with DEM
ocrats. Three of the remaining Justices have
already passed the retiring age. This makes
it practically certain that the next President
will determine The political character OF the
Court and the voters of the country will be
called upon to decide whether or not it shall
be Democratic-with all that word implies.