Milford chronicle., 1888-03-30
Chief Justice Waite Dead.

His ancestors came from England in early
colonial times and settled in Massachusetts,
but removed to Lyme about the year 1917.
He was the oldest of the eight children OF
Henry Natson Waite, Chief Justice Of the
Supreme Court Of Massachusetts, aud Maria
Selden Waite. He entered Yale College at
the age of II years, and graduated with honor
in the class Of 1887.
After graduating he began tile study Of
law in his fathers office in Lyme. In Octo-
Der, 1898 he went to Ohio and continued his
studies in the Office Of Samuel NJ. Young
then prominent attorney Of Maumee City.
On his admission TO the bar in 1899, he formed
a partnership with Mr. Young. In 1879 he
was elected to represent the Maumee district
in the Ohio legislature. After the expiration
of his term, in 1880, his firm opened an Office
in Toledo, of which Mr.. Waite took charge
and was soon acknowledged as a leading
counsellor and advocate in northwestern
Ohio. One, who often met him as opposing
counsel, said that 'his assertion on any ques-
ton Of law was always accepted as indis-
putable" In 1882 Mr. Young removed to
Toledo, and the firm of Young & Waite con
tinued until MI waite's youngest brother,
Richard, came to the bar, when the brothers
entered a partnership which lasted until the
senior partners elevation to the ChiefJustice-
ship.
Politically Wing until the disbandment
of that party, lie was a1erward Republi-
can. In 1862 he ran as an Independent Re
publican in the Tenth Congressional district
Of Ohio, the call for the convention which
nominated him being signed by Republicans
and Democrats, who pledged themselves to
''the maintenance of the government and
the determined prosecution Of the war; to
the putting down of the rebellion and the
restoration Of the Union" The regular Re
publican convention nominated lanes NJ.
Ashley, and adopted a radical anti-slavery
platform, demanding the confscation Of the
property of leading rebels, and other extreme
measures. Edwin Phelps was brought out
as the regular Democratic candidate Ashley
was elected by a plurality of I,I27 votes,
although in an actual minority of 4, Io5. A
seat upon tile bench of the Supreme Court of
Ohio was rendered to Mr.. Waite by Governor
Brough, but he declined it.
His national reputation dated from his Sc
lection by President Grant, in November,
1871, as one Of the three counsel to represent
the United States before the tribunal of arbi-
tration, at Geneva, Switzerland, his associates
being Wm. NJ. Evarts and Caleb Cushing.
The appointment came to him uusought, he
not being aware that such position was to
be filled, and having no knowledge Of his Sc
lection until informed by telegraph. He i'm
accepted and left for his post Of
duty at Geneva early in the following month
Of December, where lie performed the re-
quired service to the entire satisfaction Of
the government and the country,
His already good reputation as an indefat-
igable and learned lawyer, was greatly Ell
hanced BY the ability which characterized
his labors in behalf Of his country in this
tribunal. His argument on the
liability Of the English government for per
mitting the Confederates teamers to take sup !
plies of coal in its ports was regardedas an ef-
fort displaying great logical power and COM
prehensive grasp of international questions, |
On September 18TH, 1872, the arbitrators rem
1ered their decision that Great Britain had |
Iailed in her duties as a neutral, in the cases |
IF the Alabama, Florida, Shenandoah, and /
heir tenders, and awarded to the United /
States the sum of $4,000, 900 in gold, which
vas promptly paid. He returned from
Geneva in November, 1872 and resumed the
practice ofhis profession in Toledo In the
anne year the honorary degree of IL. D.
vas conferred upon him by his alma mater
n January in the year 1873 he was, on the
notion Of Caleb Cushing, admitted to prac
ice in the United States Supreme Court. In
he following April he was nominated by
10Th political parties and unanimously
lected a delegate to the convention called
o form new constitution for the State of
)hio, and upon its assembling in May, he was
hosen its President
The death of Chief Justice Chase occurred
lay 9TH, 1878, creating vacancy in the high
st judicial Office in the United States After
.ttorney- General George II. Williams and
,aleb Cushing had been successfully nomi-
ated for this position and Withdrawn, the
resident sent to the Senate the name of
Iprrison R. Waite, January goth. 1874. This
ppointment was also unsolicited by him
ne constitutional convention over which he
'as presiding being then in session, a mem-
er advancing to offer congratulations found
i'm ignorant of the fact Of his nomination.
lis appointment was received with approval
iroughout the country, being alike sccepta-
lie in The Senate, the bar, and the people
enerally, irrespective Of parties He was
onfrmed as Chief Justice Of the United
tates by vote which has seldom been c
lualled in its favorable character. 7
Chief Justice Waite took the oath of office :
Iarch 4th, 1874, and Immediately entered
pom the duties of his high position. An
ssociate Justice Of the Supreme bench, now
tired, said of him From the day of his
itrance into office as Chief Justice of the
npreme Court he has been indefatigable in
ie discharge ofits great duties, ,patient, indus
ious aud able. His administrative ability
remarkable None of his predecessors
ore steadily and wisely superiutended the
,urt, or more carefully observed all that is
,eessarv to its working. Nothing under
S administration has been neglected or
He has written many of the
ost important decisions Of the Court; too
any to be particularized. Among the more
cent Of his opinions may be mentioned
ose delivered in the cases Of Antoui VS..
reenhow, Louisiana VS.. Jumel, and Elliott
{. Wilt, each Of them involving questions
ising under the Constitution Of the United
ates" In the telephone case, decided in
e court this week by an opinion sustaining
e Bell patent, Chief Justice Waite was one
the four who united in this opinion.
Chief Justice Waite was married Septem-
7 zIst, I84o,to Amelia c. Warner, of Lyme,
mn. He was for many years an active
.mber Of the P. E. Church, and was fre- Z
emily elected delegate to the general ctr