Los Angeles daily herald., 1888-03-24


veil of executive secrecy. Yet it is
we'll known that Summers speech in
opposition to Mr.. Waite was one of the
strongest efforts OF that remarkable
mans life. He dwelt historically on
the eminent services and attainments
of each one in the long line of the
incumbents of the office of Chief
Justice, and spoke in bitter terms of
disparagement of Mr.. Waite's quail
fications. Sixty-three Senators were
present, and listened for two hours
with respectful attention to the
Senator from Massachusetts. mol
voice vas raised in defense of the
nominee, yet when the question of
confirmation came to a vote, so
Senators voted in the affirmative, and
Sumner did not vote at all. How far
astray Mr.. Waite's opponents were in
their estimate OF his character and
attainments is strikingly dis layed in
the sentiments expressed by the
public men who have known him.
COMMENTS ON HIS CAREER.
Senator Vest said: "He was one
OF the best men l ever knew, most
excellent lawyer and a very just man.
He possessed an emilenJ judicial
mind, and was peculiarly fitted for
his position. l knew him we'll, and
deeply deplore his death"
Senator Evarts said: "I was greatly
surprised, as well as grieved, to hear
OF the fatal result of his illness. There
is an universal agreement in the per-
Sonal affection for the Chief Justice,
and grief at his loss. His death will
be regarded by the judiciary and pro-
fession Of the country, as an great
calamity"
Senator Hawley said: Gully shar-
ing in the general sorrow, the people
OF Connecticut have their own reasons
for an added grief. The families of the
late Chief Justice and his wife are
among the Oldest of our State. He was
born and schooled there. He was a
jurist Of sound learning and spotless
character. "
Senator George sail: "I think it a
very great less to the country. I re-
garded him as very able judge, hold
ing the scales of justice very equally,
not only between suitors before his
court, but between sections of the
| Union"
Senator Cockrell said: "I hold him
in the highest esteem as an honorable,
pure and able jurist."
Senator Blackburn said: 81 enter.
tanned for him the kindliest personal
sentiments. should very much re-
gret to think that any man in the
country copld give utterance to any
other feeling or sentiments than
those of profound regret and sorrow
at his death, for ! think every man
liked him just in proportion to the
intimacy of his acquaintance with
him."
Senator Teller said: "FIe acquitted
himself of his high responsibilities in
q way which entitled him to the re-
spect and. confidence OF all classes of
people. His death is a national
loss."
Senator Sawyer said: "He was
most excellent man, and his loss is a
national calamity"
Senator Stanford said: "He was
man OF perfect integrity and great
ability. His loss will be felt by the
entire country, and it will be difficult
to fill his place."
Senator Hiscock said: "He was
jurist, careful and painstaking. His
private life was unblemished, and his
social qualities very charming. His
appointment was surprise to the
country, but his services have abund-
antly justified the selection
| EDMIyNDs' EITIOGy.
Senator Edmunds, Chairman OF the
Judiciary Committee and a warm
personal friend OF the late Chief JUS
tice, said: "My first acquaintance
with Mr.. Waite was when he was
named one of the Geneva arbitrators,
about the year 1871 or 1872. He came
on to Washington practicing lawyer
of no national reputation, but of fair
State reputation, man OF solid
strength, of solid though not orna-
mental law learning, and of the high
est personal honor and rectitude of
character that everybody acknowl-
edged. In the course of the proceed
ings'of the Geneva tribunal he had
his first opportunity to show his great
capacity for affairs and his under
Estanding of the principles OF inter-
national questions. From President
Grants acquaintance with him on
that occasion he came to have for him
the highest respect and regard, and
SO it was natural, after his unfortunate
efforts to find suitable Chief Justice,
for the President to think Of Waite.
The President suggested his name to
several Senators and all, so far as l
knew of, gladly fell in with the sug-
gestion, though it might have seemed
to many Of the lawyers and public
men of the United States somewhat
hazardous experiment to select man
for that great Office who was so little
known TO the bar of the country. Soon
after his appointment he took his
seat as Chief Justice. l have
pi acticed 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 public bear ing and conduct,
and to know good deal Of his rela-
tions with his associates, as well as
with the bar. / can cay with entire
candor that do not think that there
ever was an instance in any time or
country where the relations of the
presiding magistrate with the bar or
with his associates were more digni-
fed and harmonious, and at the same
time perfectly friendly and cordial.
His opinions, I think, on broad ques-
tions of fundamental law, and of the
application of principles to the IF .irs
Of men, will stand we'll with those of
the most eminent of judges. In his
personal and private life he was one
of the most gentle, cordial and ap-
proachable men ever met, and his
kindness Of heart was go great that in
the midst of affairs and society
here, where he must have known
so many instances of evil and impro-
prietY. | do not remember ever to have