The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-04-02

of Republican disposition, voted for Gro
yer Cleveland. He has spent the greater
part of six months in the preparation OF
his argument. and his fellow-lawyers in
great reputation.
The fame of 4. J. Phelps came late In
life, for he was nearly go years of age
when nominated by President Cleveland
minister to the court of st. James. The
country asked who is this man who has
received 30 high honor2 But Mr.. Phelps.
like many another lawyer whose standing
Is high at the bar had learned that pro-
fessional success in tho law brings public
fame very seldom. He Is q Vermont man.
and years ago being disposed a little
towards politics had minor appoint
ment to executive post in Washington
City. After he had served his term Mr..
Phelps was satisfied that office holding is
the most unsatisfactory and in some re-
speets unwhoJesome pursuit open to
Americana. Therefore he turned his back
upon politics and gave himself up as Mr..
Carter always has done to that jealous
mistress, the law. His practice took him
q good deal to New York city. and there
he speedily gained repute as lawyer Of
the Old school. Of spotless integrity, great
learning and wise counsel. He was asso-
ciated as counsel in some of the colossal
railway achievements Of tho late Trenor
w. Park. and he ranked with Senator Ed
munds ~ the leaders of the ba- in his ma
tive state.
His name was suggested to the faculty of
the Yale law school when they were look
ing eAout for lecturer upon one Of the
branches Of the law. and he accepted the
offer of . professors chair. That is the
reason why it is said that Mr.. Cleveland
had selected Yale professor to be minis
ter to England. Iewas professor only in
the sense that he delivered a course of
lectures. Just as ex-Prcsident Harrison
proposes TO do before the students in the
Leland Stanford university.
Mr.. Cleveland had it in mind to appoint
Mr.. Phelps chief justice of the supreme
court, and in fact had his nomination
written out TO send 10 tho senate, but Mr..
Phelps had given oifense to Gen. Collins
aud other prominent frish-Americans by
something that he did while minister, and
ut their earnest protest Mr.. Cleveland was
induced to change his mind about that ap-
pointment.
One of Mr.. Phelps sons was a classma,e
at Yale college with +. y. Wolcott. now A
senator from Colorado. Young Phelps
gave no evidence OF unusual ability while
u student and was graduated withou. spe-
ciai honor. but the trouble seems to have
been that the course of study was no,
suited - his special talent. For after he
went out into the world he drifted into
railway construction. and there DISPLAYED
evidences of something ike genius He
was connected with some OF the Western
railways. and designed several bridges
which have been regarded a. perhaps a
fine specimens Of railway bridge construc.
ton as are to- he found in the United
States. A very brilliant future was thus
opening for abe young man when he was
emittcn with fever. due TO exposure, and
died. Not all the honors that Mr. pheips
has received have sufficed TO mitigate the
sorrow that followed this loss.
Frederick Coudert is 10 the public the
best known of these American counsel.
lie Ia one OF the few great LAWYERS practlc.
Ing at the New York bar who have gained
national repuie. Mr.. Copdert owe, HI,
wide fame perhaps more 10 his charm A
an orator than TO his ability as LAWYER
There are four men active in affairs in
New York who have gained peculiar fame
not only as platform SPEAKERS. but as after
dinner orators. These are Chsuncey VI.
nerew. Joseph III. Choaye, William NJ. Ey.
arts and Frederick CouderI Coudsrt in
his physical impress has less advantage "a
public speaker than any OF the others
He is slight man in build, so small.
indeed. that he is fitted easily with youths
clothing. Not more than feet inches
in height. and weighing probably not
over 10 pounds. yet So great is his charm
as an orator that he overcomex such dis
advantages a. are supposed TO attend an
orator who - small man. HIS voice is
singularly melodious. his rhetoric ersca-
fui, almost eaasling that OF joseph II,
Choatc, and be has a power Of epirrarn
which even lnEersosi cannot exceed
Mr.. Coudert though prominent ia the
Democratic party all his life has never
held office. lie has been urged 10 hermit
his name 70 he used IS that of Candidate
fsr mayor of New York. and has declined.
President Cleveland rendered him the
mission To France eight years ago. bp. Mr..
Cau2ert felt that ne could nos aiyord "a &C
eeps IL. lie would have made brilliant
minister. since he has long been ~ au-
thorlty On international law, and he is
perhaps the finest master of the French
tongue who practices at the New York bar
and sho Is OF American birth.
Perhaps the quality which makes Mr..
tenaert = man of unusual popularity IN
New YORK IS thAt Of courtesy. which IS OF
such nature that he has been called the
po!iiest man IN New York HIS polite
ness - not an Alteration. but il Is = man
ne-lsm which springs from the impulses
o. gentle heart. But although he is
polite 10 everyone, he Is cspsole Of de-
nouneing inlQulay. corruption in public
and private lsie and especially dishonor-
able practices at the bar with a severity
and steInness which no member Of the
Tar can match. L. JAZZ EpvA1pA.