The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1893-03-01
THE LATE CnIEF JUSTICE WAITE.

The Times SAYS that Chief-Justice
Waite was as far inferior 10 William NJ
Evarts as was Simple Susan 10 Scion.
Mr. Waite needs no other defense from
such charge than the statements when
we will here give from his biography in
"Appetons CylOpedia of American BIO
graphy." We quote:
composing counsel often said that his
assertion on any question Of law was UNI
answerable. During more than three de-
cades he was the acknowledged leader OF
the Ohio bar."-Dispatch.
The Dispatch may 80 for its notices OF
our public men to cheap flxed-up biogra-
phes like that quoted The Times pre-
fers to go to their public acts.
II the late Chief Justice Waite had died
plain NJ. r. Waite (as should have been
the case) derogatory discussion Of his
character and qualities would be both a
thankless and ungracious act. But he was,
for number of years, the chief judicial
officer of this Government, and, in his
character of such. 1t was his lot to have
TO perform many acts bearing directly
upon our institutions. AS these acts are
good in their tendency or bad in their
tendency, 1t is desirable that their con-
sequences shall be cherished or repu-
dated. Intimately connected with this
question, therefore, are questions affecting
his personality. 4 very distinguished
lawyer, who had an Office in the same
building in the city Of Toledo that Judge
Waite had his Office at the time he was
appointed Chief Justice. and who had
known him intimately all his life. gave
the writer OF this article the following
account of his genesis as chief justice.
He said that General Grant. returning
from a tour that he made through the
Southern States, stopped in Toledo, where
he was given a banquet by the leading
citizens Of the place. AZ that banquet
Judge Waite. who was then a reputable,
but quite ordinary lawyer. made a most
fulsome speech. i'm which he declared
that Grant was a greater warrior than
Caesar. Hannibal or Napoleon. Waite had
been absolutely unknown to Grant up to
that moment, but this was kind OF
eulogy that went TO Grants heart. and
he never thereafter forgot Waite.
Accordingly, when counsel were 70 be
appointed TO represent the United States
before the Geneva Board Of Arbitration.
Grant appointed Waite as one. 10 the
utter Amusement of the whole United
States. The facts connected with his
sending this name TO the Senate for the
Office OF Chief Justice when Chase died.
are fresh In the memory of many. He
first sent In the name OF George II. VIII
iiams who had been United States sena-
tor from the State Of Oregon. The coun-
try remembers the shameful scandal IN
volved In this that was too much for the
scared conscience of even that Republic
can Senate which sat then. and II re-
fused TO confirm him. Performing the
part of a SPOILED child. Grant then sent
IN the name Of Caleb Cushing, a Demo-
crat, and one who had many times been
charged with being secessionist. The
Republican Senate. OF course. rejected
him. Then Grant declared that as the
Senate would not confirm the public men
whose names were sent 10 them. he would
send them the name OF one against whom.
at least. no objections could be raised, ana
he sent In thu name OF Waite. His ap-
po'ntment was nothing but one Of those
reckless acts which General Grant
mover hsstitated TO perform when be