Barton County democrat. [volume] (Great Bend, Kan.) 1885-1915, 1888-03-29
CHEF JUSTICE WAITE DEAD

Unexpected OeaLIt Oh bnC OAA'O-
the Supreme Court OF the United States
His judicial Career.
WASHINGTON, March 23-Chief Justice
Waite died at 6:1O O'Clock this morning.
The Chief Justice dined on Saturday
evening with Senator Hearst, and on ms
return home he became so Ill that his iaInl-
" physician, DR.. Winslow, was sent Tor.
He was confined to his bed on Sunday ana
on Monday he insisted upon going TO the
Supreme Court to be present when the de-
cision in the telephone suits were rendered.
The weather was mild and the doctor
Welded TO his request, every precautlon
being taken TO prevent any i'll effects from
the journey.
The telephone decision had been written
by the Chief Justice, but he was too Ill to
read il from the bench, and that duty was
therefore performed by Justice Batch
ford Special care was taken that no evil
dence OF the Chief Justices illness should
appear, and none OF the throng that heard
the decision read suspected the real reason
why it was announced by Justice Batch
ford.
As soon as possible after the reading,
Justice Waite left the bench and was hur-
riedly driven home It IS admitted that the
trip to the capitol was far from prudent for
one in Justice Waite's condition, but IL IS
asserted that no serious consequences can
be ascribed to it. The Chief Justice was
determined to go and the doctors had TO-
yield. He went back to bed and since then
had been q very sick man.
On Tuesday morning symptoms OF acute
bronchitis appeared, accompanied by in
somnia and great restessness. His condi-
ton Tuesday was not alarming, but on
Wednesday circumscribed pneumonia
showed itself. On Thursday night ne was
comfortable, and no particular alarm was
felt. but at six O'Clock this morning failure
OF the hearts action was observed. Death
ensued in q few minutes.
His daughter, Miss Marie F. Waite, and
his son. Mr.. c. c. Waite, vice-p president OF
the Cincinnati, Hamilton & Dayton rail-
road. were with him when he died. Drs.
Caroline B. Winslew and Frank A. Gard
ner were in attendance. Mrs. Waite left
Washington for California about a week
ago and is supposed now to be in Los
Angeles.
Justice Waite's illness was due to trouble
with his liver and spleen, complicated with
very painful stomach disorders. Justice
Waite had a very serious lit of sickness
just at the close OF the administration OF
President Arthur. He was confined TO his
house for several weeks with attack Of
erysipelas, that threatened at one time to
have a fatal termination. The serious
character of his illness at that time was
not generally known until after the crisis
had been passed, and 1t was not until he
was well enough 10 be up and about his
house and on the street that newspaper
paragraphs appeared reporting him to be
in danger
The Justice was a hale man to look at,
but he had a stroke OF paralysis some years
ago. and his friends had been soliciious
about him on that account, feeling IA recur-
renee of the old symptoms. After his re-
covery from this illness, he Travelled and
sought recreation by prolonged abstention
from the duties Of the Supreme Court.
The President is preparing an order clos
ing all executive departments Of the Gov
eminent on the day OF Judge Waite's
funeral.
The Supreme Court and both houses OF
Congress have adjourned as a mark OF re-
spect to the deceased Chief Justice.
BIOGRAPHICAL.
Chief Justice Waite was born in Lynn, Conn.,,
in 1916 In this State his youth was passed
His education completed at Yale College,
from which institution he graduated in 1887.
His inclinations were for the legal profession.
After studying law in his native State he
moved TO Maumee City, o., where he actively
entered into the business of his profession. He
never manifested any taste for party politics,
but never shrank from fulfilling his duty n
citizen. In 1919 he was elected to the Ohio
Legislature in which body his good sense was
manifested on all measures Of public policy
In 1850 he removed 10 Toledo. which city he
made his home until he moved TO Washington
City in 1874 He was devoted TO the law, and
while at Toledo he declined repeated nomina-
lions TO CONGRESS. He also refused TO accept an
appointment to the Supreme bench OF his State.
In 1871 he was one of the counsel of the United
States before the tribunal OF arbitration at
Geneva. In this instance he distinguished him
self by his solid judgment and his comprehen-
sive views of international affairs. When the
constitutional convention of Ohio met in 1873
Judge Waite chosen to preside over IL.
There perhaps no lawyer in the State bet
ter fitted for the position.
In 1874 President Grant appointed him Chief
Justice OF the United States. This position he
has filed with honor TO himself and TO his
country. His rulings have been in the main
wise and entirely free from party bias. This
appointment was fortunate in that IL placed a
solid and conservative lawyer at the head OF the
court OF highest resort in the country.
The dead Chief Justices full name Nor
rison Remich Waite. He the son OF Henry
Matson Waite, who Chief Justice OF the
Supreme Court Of Connecticut
The coat OF arms used by the Waite family in
both Europe and America was granted in 1919.
In the time of Cromwell, Thomas Waite was a
member OF Parliament and one OF the judges
who signed the death warrant OF Charles 1.
Shortly after the Restoration the family re-
moved 10 this country.
Chief Justice Waite married his second
cousin, Amelia Z. Waite. Of Lyme the great
Selden, OF Revolutionary memory She was a
beauty and a belle, the leader in fashion AID
society.
PREVIOUS CHIEF JUSTICES.
The Chief Judges of the highest tribunal in
America have been:
John Jay, Of New York, September 17s9 TO
June. 1875.
John Rutledge. Of South Carolina, July. 1875,
10 December. 1875.
Oliver ELS worth, OF Connecticut March, 1895,
10 October 1900
John Marshall of Virginia, January. 1901, to
July. 1875.
Roger B. fancy, OF Maryland, March. 1886, to
October. 1864.
May, 1873
Morrison r. Waite, of Ohio, January, 1874, to
March, 1888.
The shortest term was that of the second in
line, John Rutledge. He appointed by
President Washington during the recess of the