Catoctin clarion. [volume] (Mechanicstown, Md.) 1871-1940, 1888-03-29
Washington Letter

WASHINGTON, MCn Goth, 1888
Chief Justice Waite is dead was the
startling announcement that fell upon
WASH n, ,, on Friday morning last
No one could beleye 1t possible at first
for although the Chief Justice was IN
his seventy. second year he was re-
markablv we'll preserved man, and to
Judge from outward appearances likely
to 1--we for many years. He had been
slightly ailing for several days but mel
thel he nor his physician realized that 1t
was any thing more than a cold.
Chief Justice Waite presided over
the Supreme Court last Monday ard
the long opinion in favor Of the Bell
patent in the celebrated telephone case
which occupied two hours in its read
ing, was his last work. He gradu-
ated from Yale college in 1887, and was
appointed to the Supreme Bench from
Chic, by President Grant in 1874.
The appointment ofasnccessor to the
late Chief Justice is by far the most
important question which Mr. C.eve,
land has yet had to consider, and one
which cannot fail to have an important
hearing on the coming Presidential cleo
ton. Owing to the almost equal div
ision Of opinion among the eight Jus.
tees of the Supreme Court on many
important public and private questions
the new Chief Justice will have an am
cunt Of power in shaping important
events, one might almost say in making
history, that seldom falls 10 any one
man under republican form Of govern
ment and the importance Ct selecting q
man who has the entire confidence 0!
the country in bis integrity as we'll as
his ability is one which is clearly ap
preciated by everybody.
That the President will selecta dem
ocrat for this place goes without say
ing. He could not be expected tc
waive an opportunity Of securing the
most important position under the Gov
eminent for his party. But the coun-
try has Il right to demand that the man
selected shall not be mere politician
His legal ability must be of the high
est order and his integrity unquestion'
ed. There are number Of democrats
who can fill this bill. If Mr.. Cleveland
will select one Of them the people Of all
parties ought to be satisfied.
Among those already prominently
mentioned for the vacant position ar;
Speaker Carlisle, who IS thought by ma.
ny to have the best chances. because it il
known that he was offered the last va
cancy on the Supreme bench before Mr.
Lamar was appointed, and that he lie
clined it very reluctantly. Don M
Dickinson, Of Michigan, the present
Postmaster General is considered to b.
second in the race, but he is hardly
likely to receive the appointment unless
the place be allowed to remain yacaI
until alter the election, because he coull
not do work apped cut for him in thu
coming campaign if he were Chief Jus.
tice. Among the other names are Elk
Senator Thur man, of Ohio, Hon. ], II
fucker Of Virginia, Secretary BaYard
of Delaware, Secretary Endicott, o
Massachusetts. Attorney General Gar
land, of Arkansas, Representative Col
Inns, Of Mass, Senator Gray, of Della.
ware, Tx Senator Mcdonald, Of Indiana
and quite number of smaller men who
only hope to gain little notoriety by
having themselves mentioned in con.
ncction with so exalted position,
It is srid by prominent democrats
that the appointment will not be made
until after the st. Louis convention, as
Mr.. Cleveland would be afraid of an
t4gonizing the friends OF aspirants, be,
fore that time.
The funeral OF he late Chief Justice
~ .ste place on Wednesday. in the