The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-03-24
viii be q great loss to the bench and to So

clety AZ w aSnlngtO0.
Postmaster General Dickinson said:
This is q personal grief TO me, as it will
DO to all who have had business before
him, or who knew him socially. He was
a kindly, able man, just, doing his duty
bravely and conscientiously always"
Secretary Villas said: .'For fourteen
years presiding over one OF the greatest
judicial tribunals Of the earth, he has so
borne the functions Of his great Office that
under the sharpest observation OF interest
and feeling the reyerential respect Of the
country for our ministers of Justice has
been maintained and advanced in his ad-
ministration. His good report is peculiar
ly judicial, wearing not so much the sheen
OF brilliant intellect as giving the repose-
full sense OF security in character, training,
learning and impartiality."
Acknowledgement Garland said. II never
knew Chief Justice Waite before he was
appointed in January, 1874, but since that
time have known him very well. Iprac-
tced before the court at intervals soon
alter he took his seat, and while / was in
the Senate We were thrown together q
good deal. OF course, however, since
became Attorney General, | have known
him more closely and have had better OPP
portunities OF knowing his real character.
] regard him as most excellent lawyer,
fair minded and just, and almost UNI
equalled in the discharge Of what may be
called the executive duties OF the presid.
ing officer OF the court. In fact, he was
one OF the best administrative Judges |
ever saw. He was always amiable and
disposed to be indulgent, but he was also
rigid at the proper time. II will be very
difficult to fill his place, and could not
pay his successor higher compliment
than to express the hope that he will wear
gracefully the mantle Of the chief justice"
Among the members OF the House ex-
pressions OF regret were general. There
was disinclination 10 say anything upon
the subject Of the selection OF successor
to the late chief justice, and the only ex-
pressions Of opinion touching upon the
matter came from few southern men,
bers, who suggested that Speaker Carlisle
is eminently fitted for position on the
supreme bench, and that Il would not be
unacceptable to him. They did not care
TO say this publicly, however, at this time.
Mr.. Grosvenor said: "The loss of Chief
Justice Waite would be very great under
ordinary circumstances. for he was man
who filed every position he ever held with
distinguished honor TO himself and the
country. But, in the present circum-
stances, II is peculiarly embarrassing.
The appointment of chief justice OF the
supreme court OF the United States is one
Of the most critical events that happen in
the civil government OF the country.
When you reflect that we have had but
six chief justices, You will see how stable
and permanent this Office has been in this
country. Ii is these long terms that lift
the Office generally out OF the miro Of pol
itics, and II is particularly unfortunate that
the vacancy should happen just in the
midst of the excitement OF a political cam
paign. Mr.. Lincoln, in the great crisis Of
the war, appointed as justice Mr.. Fields,
a distinguished Democrat, and Mr.. Miller,
who has become great Judge. II the
present executive would emulate that yir-
tue OF his predecessor and appoint Justice
Miller chief justice, II would relieve the
situation OF much that IL now unpleasant.
Mr.. Forney said: 81 think he was one
OF the purcst aud greatest men Of our
times"
Mr.. Payson said: "IIe was an excellent
lawyer, one Of the kindest hearted and
most approachable Of men, and deserves
TO enjoy the respect and esteem OF every
one"
Mr.. Oates, Of Alabama, said: ellis cour-
tchy anu klnuntSs was cAtcnucu 10 all VINO
practiced before the supreme bar, and he
was good, sound, conservative Judge"
Judge Kelly, the father OF the House.
said: Il have known Chief Justice Waite
from the day when he hrst came TO this
city 10 I'll the honorable position he occu.
pied, and had been ON terms Of easy and
familiar friendship with him from that TO
this. lie was unassumingly great man.
Ills temper | never saw ruilled by any cir
cumstance, no matter how annoying lie
was a man whose learning and judgment
have never suspected OF being at fault. "
Shortly after adjournment OF the House
today the Ohio delegation held a meeting
In the room Of the committee on banking
and currency 10 take appropriate action on
the death OF Chief Justice Waite. There
were also present at the meeting the Hon.
s. \. Cox, OF New York, and Judge Jones,
OF Delaware, an old friend Of the chief
Justice, both Of whom made addresses on
the sad event which had brought them
together. A committee to prepare suit.
able resolutions commemorative OF tho
! chief justice was appointed.