The Washington critic., 1888-03-31
LEVEL-HEADED EULoGY.
Ex-senator Charles W. Jones ON the
Late Chief Justice,


Ex-senator Jones of Florida attend.
ed the bar meeting at Detroit on Mon
day, which adopted resolutions on
the death of Chief Justice Waite, and
at which special addresses were made
by number of the leading lawyers.
United States District Judge Brown
presided. After several had spoken,
Mr.. Jones arose and amidst the most
length, astonishing the gathering with
the eloquence of his manner as much
as his words. In view of the sensa-
tional reports about the eX-Sena-
tor being off his mental balance,
his address is certain to at.
tract considerable attention. 1t was
noticed that his personal appearance
was considerably improved, and the
shabby gentility was almost forgotten
as he preceded. He made his hearers
half inclined TO believe the ex Sen.
ator's ottmade declaration that he
was the victim of political CON
Spracy and that he bad really
suffered as he asserts. His address
OH Justice Waite is voted one of the
best made at thcmeeting lie paid q
sincere tribute to the dead, but it was
totally devoid of all fulsomeness, and
in this respect differed with several
of those delivered. lie said he was
aware that Justice Waitc's judgments
did not possess that superior ana}ytl-
cal power Of Marshall, or the deep
research of fancy, but they are
specimens Of as fine English as can
be found in our judicial annals.
"Hou can always find in them Il
broad spirit Of equity, going beyond
the mere letter Of the law, and eX-
hibiting to the country and profession
that there was deeply seated in his
nature 4 high sense of justice which
no mere legal learning can force. :"
He continued:
81 remember very well that it fell to
my lot to present him, | think, one
of the most embarrassing questions
that was ever submitted in his court
and ! well remember the anxiety that
attended that investigation, and that
it was held under advisement six long
months. But when the decision came,
although ii was against me, was
reConCiled to it after reading the Chief
Justices opinion, because il settled q
great question in reference to mo.
nOpoly which worked great results to
the interests of the people of the
| United States. j am aware that there
are gentlemen here who know as well
! as | did the great court over which he
presided, which no other tribunal in
the world can compare with. There
are other courts which have iu-
risdiction of that class of causes
| which involve the trial Of personal
wrongs, but there is no tribunal in
the world which extends to the length
of the Supreme Court of the United
States. That court is the great guar
dian of both the rights Of the people
| and the security of the Constitution
! In his death the country has lost one
of its best and purest citizens, and
the Supreme Court judge and pre-.
! siding officer who will be hard to re-
| place. The qualities of mind and
character SO essential TO tho high
! position Of Chief Justice are MOI
often found united in any in
| dividua member Of the I. lega
| profession. The contests of the bar
while they tend TO sharpen the intel
| lect and harden the sensibihties o
the kindcst natures, very seldom
leave man 50 completely in the pos
session of the great tenderness, tn,
unriyalled courtesy and the unbound
ed patience Of the Chief Justice. III,
was one of the most aaiabe, kind
hearted and accommodating men
ever SAW preside in court OF Justice
! and these are qualities. in my opin
ion, that cannot be overestimated in
Judge"