Staunton spectator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1849-1896, 1888-03-28
Death of Chief Justice Waite.
HIS BRIEF ILLNEss-REsPECT TO HIS MI
oRY-sKETCH OF HIS LIFE. &C.

HIS BRIEF LLNEss-REsPRCT TO HIS MEM
oRY-sKETCH OF HIS LIFE, &C,
Morrison Remick Waite, Chief Justice of
the Supreme Court of the United States.
died unexpectedly of acute pneumonia at
his residence in Washington last FRIDAY
morning, the 23rd instant, between 6 and 7
o'clock.
LIE died without moments warning in
the presence only of his professional nurse.
On Saturday night Chief Justice Waite
walked to the home of Senator Hearst bs.
cause of the illness of his coachman. He
also walked to his home. The next morn.
ing he complained of feeling unwell and a
physician was summoned, who announced
that he was suffering from slight cold
He remained in the house during Saturday
and when Monday came he conferred with
two of the associate judges and his phvsi-
clan, and determined to go to court because
of the decision to be delivered in the tele-
phone case, deciding, however, that he
would not read the decision, but would
transfer the duty to Justice Blatchford. The
exposure consequent upon this journey ac-
centuated the cold, and on Tuesday he was
advised to go to bed. Nothing serious was
expected, but on Wednesday Miss Waite
decided to telegraph her brother, Mr.. G. G.
Waite, of Cincinnati, who arrived there
Thursday afternoon. Surgeon Ruth, of
the United States Navy, the physician in
attendance, and friend of the family, ad.
vised Mr.. Waite on his arrival that it would
be advisable to call in another physician for
consultation. DR.. Gardner was summoned,
and the result was that last Thursday night
at midnight the patient and family were as
sured that there was no danger. At $50
Friday morning the nurse heard the Chief
Justice moan, and going to the bedside was
informed that he felt pretty well. The nurse
retired, and haitian hour later, on hearing a
gasp, ran to the bedside and found corpse.
Miss Mary Waite was Immediately
brought into the room, but too late-her
father was dead.
His wife was in California whittier she
jouTneyed few weeks ago.
His remains will be buried at bis home
in Toledo, Ohio.
The Supreme Court and both houses of
Congress adjourned as mark of respect to
his memory. By order of the President, all
the Executive departments of the govern
ment will be closed On the day of his fu-
neral.
The members of Congress will attend his
funeral as body.
In announcing his death to the Senate,
Mr.. Edmunds, in speaking of the career Of
the deceased said that it had been ''touched
by no stain, by no reproach, by no fault OF
failing, either official Or personal; upright
brave, even minded, impartial, patient, af
fectionate, kindly. AS citizen and in ev
cry walk of private life he has filed his
career with honor, great honor to himself
and with Infinite benefit to his country"
He was the seventh Chief Justice of the
United States and was born in Lyme, Conn.l
November 80, 1916. He graduated at Yale
College in 1887 studied law, and began tc
practice in Maumee City, Ohio. In 1s49 be
was a member of the Legislature and in 1856
he removed to Toledo. He declined repeat.
ed nominations to Congress and also seat
on the Supreme Bench of the State. II
1912 he was one of the counsel of the Uni.
ted States before the tribunal of arbitration
lo4 t., 10 JoI L.
Constitutional Union Of Ohio. On January
I 81, 1874, he became Chief Justice Of the
United States and since that time had resid
ed in Washington.
He was the seventh Chief Justice of the
United States. The first Chief Justice was
John Jay, of New York. Then followed
in order John Rutledge, of South Carolina
Oliver Ellsworth, Of Connecticut; John
Marshall, of Virginia; Roger B. fancy, oil
Maryland, and Salmon P. Chase, of Ohio
Chase died in 1873 and Waite was appointed
in 1874 The salary of the office is 10,500
and at the age of seventy the Chief Justices
may retire on full pay. Who will be Waite's
successor will be matter of speculation unit
the President makes known his choice.
The late Chief Justice Waite's circuit is
composed Of the States of Maryland, Vir
ginia, West Virginia, North Carolina and
South Carolina.
The several committees appointed to make
preparations for the funeral held meetings
Saturday, and it was decided that the cere-
monies in Washington shall take place in
the hall of the House of Representatives al
10 O'Clock on Wednesday. Bishop Paret
and Drs. Bodine, Leonard and Mott, of the
Episcopal Church. will oficiate. There
will be no Grafton. The judges of the Su-
preme Court, including ex-Judge Strong,
will act as pail bearers. The President and
Cabinet and both houses of Congress and
the bar of the Supreme Court will attend
The court as body and the committees OF
tho two houses will accompany the remains
to Toledo. The White House was draped
in mourning Saturday.
THE PANAMA CANAL-Col A. L. Rives,
General Manager of the Panama Railroad,