New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-05-14

r""sicSS
AZ ieast twelvemonth more he VIII tolerate the
presence OF the hated Yankee: and doubt not. AZ
we hoid our license at his will and pleasure we snail
nave 'eaVe at least until next anniversary comes
arouhu, 10 peddle little notions ana get rlu Oh
our little wares in this metropolis without the dread
OF his shllelagh being cracked about our heads
USED 10 SUCH CRITICISMS.
THIS little sally caused as much hubbub NJ the
ume' according to tradition his recent ADDRESS on
81. Iatricks Day. but the criticism that followed had
no more erect upon him In making MIN less OUT
spoheh than what has been said during the ias' Few
weeks by Mayor GilrOy and those In sympathy WITH
him has had. lie is accustomed to such criticism
lie understands 1t thoroughly. lie knows that IL Is
based upon ignorance narrowness, prejudice. Ihere
Is not more Jealous advocate OF freedom LOT III
nations. ireland as we'll America. than Mr.. Choate
but his belief In Home Rule does not blind him TO the
public sins OF omission and commission, particularly
the latter, OF the Irish Democrats In this CITY
But ne Is not more ready to denounce lrsh ram
many transgressors than he is those OF any o'her
nationality His memorable treatment OF Benjamin L.
Butter whiie That politician was Governor OIL hassa
chusetts, illustrates this remark
Some years ago official dinner was TO be gwen
at Cambridge by an association OF which senator lioar'
Of Massachusetts, the president. and Phillips
Brooks and Mr.. Choatc We're the vice-presdens. III
has been etiquette for century for the Governor OF
the state TO come TO that dinner. The Governor had
usually been graduate Of Harvard College. but there
had been an upheaval General Butler was Governor.
Senator Hoar would not receive him. Phillips Brooks
went TO Europe. There nobody in Massachusetts
who could or would fill the difficult position. They
had TO send to New-lork for Mr.. Choae to preside.
II was wonderful to note the tact with which he
meed out TO the Governor the respect due his position
and at the same time administered TO Benjamin r.
Duthr casgation such suited the outraged fcel-
ings OF the guests. The castigation was well htted'
because General Butler had formerly said many
things about his entertainers and their college
The next year Harvard man was again Governor
Of the State. and Mr.. Choate alluded In his annual
address TO the fact that grmvisagcd war -General
Butler" had smoothed her wrinkled 'front.'
HE REBUKEs JUDGE
Another display OF this quality. thoroughly In
grained in Mr. Choate's character, was before Judge
Van Brun. The judge has a habit which sorcly dis
trcsses members OF the bar who appear before hm'
particularly Young men, OF talking to his associ
on the bench while the lawyers are delivering Their
speeches. At times this becomes exaspera'ing' out
the lawyers have not, rule, the tcmcrty 70 coni-
plain for they recognize the power of the Court. and
Judge Van Brunt, with all his cstimabc qualities,
has n manner that causes him to be held in dread
by most practitioners who naturally seek to maintain
as pleasant relations possible with the Court Mr.
Cboate was about to make the closing speech In
highly important case. Forty minutes had been al
lotted him the purpose. He had scarcely uttered
n dozen words when Judge Van Brunt wheeled around
in his chair and began discussion with Judge An
drews. Mr. Choatc ceased speaking Immediately,
folded nj, arms and Gazcd steadily at the judges,
his handsome face q trife paler than usual. h'Ish
fell upon the courtroom. Judge Van Brinf, nofichg
,he Stiffness turned around and looked in1uirfngly al
the silent advocate.
"Your Honor said Mr. Choae. II have lust forty
minutes In which to make my final argument.
Of thot limo N N
II Justice but shall also need your undivided aten-
ton
And you shall have it, promptly responded the
Judge M the same time acknowledging the justice
OF the rcbuke by faint flush on his checks. II was
an exhibition of genuine courage. but one that was
more f,.v appreciated by members Of the profession
than By the laymcn who witnessed II.
SOME APT ILLUSTRATIONS.
These Illustrations might be supplemented with
an account Of Mr.. Choatcs course In defending Mr.
GoG flom the wrath and condemnation OF Recorder
-mvth and the Police Department: OF his vigorous
denunciaon before the Mayor Of the incompetence
Of Tammany's street Cleaning Commissioner: Of lis
open defiance OF Judge Truax when that drnitarv
of the bench attempted. as Mr.. Choate thoueAt, 10
deprive him OF lis rights of his hearty espoisal OF
the cause OF Dorman b. Eaton. when he had been
brutay assaulted and nearly killed for exposing the
doinss OF Fisk Tweed and their rascallv tools the
his associates But enough has been toll to Justify
Mr.. ,'hoate's courage Sometimes not often. this has
appeared In an unfavorable light As when, for In
stance he appeared in defence OF Mayor Grant when
Mr. Grant was s0rely pressed by the state senate In
vestigang Committee and telling most entertaining
stories OF his ten thousand dollar presents to little
Flosse Croker To be sure, Mr.. Choate appeared In
this case In a purely professional capacity, but the
weight of his presence and power was nevertheless.
thrown on the side OF corrupt municipal govern
ment fact that will be long regretted by his uest
friends.
COLLEGE DAYS AND EARLY LIFE.
Before rccountIng his exploits in the professional
field and his rirmphs at public dinners ard meetings
a bit OF biography will BE- In order This Is not
theme. Mr. Choate's career has not yet
been described in skeleton form. Not much
more than an outline can be given here. for 1t Is
difficult to collect the material. He will not talk OF
himself for publication This might be- forgiven If he
would only follow the example OF other worthy pco-
ple who In apparent horror Of publicity. wave the
interviewer, aside to their private secretary, who
supplies enough matter TO fill volume Mr.. Choate
las private secretary. and most estimabe young
man Is Mr.. Rove. but he IS kept so deeply immersed
in briefs and authorities that he never has moment
10 devote TO scrapbook TO recording an aneclote
His contribution to tits article consisted OF some pom
derous tones OF court proceedings about aS valuable
for biogra phical purposes rs city directory. Not
him, therefore, out IRON Oln'r III was
learned that Joseph Hodges Choate born In the
salem of Hawthorne January "A. 1882. and that
his father was a cousin of Rufus Choate. who was |
then lust entering his second term In Congress to |
dstln guish himself by great speech on the tarin.
AN OLD NEw.ENGLAND FAMILY.
The family was one OF the Oldest In New England. |
The earliest ancestor John Choatc became citizen
Of Massachusetts, in 1907. The grandson OF this first
ancestor also named John, was a member OF the |
Massaciseti Legislature from 1141 til 1861 and for
the five years following member OF the Governors
Council. The family was noted throughout for lis
strength OF character and mental vigor. David. a
son OF the Massachusetts legislator and the filher
of Rufus, not trained In law, but on one occa-
sion wien h. had n suit pending In court ana MS
counsel happened TO be absent he took mp the case
himself. examined his Witnesses. tore TO shrcis the
testimony Of the other SIDE, made sound ana clio
1ucnt argument and won the case. No doubt some
stories might be told OF Josephs boyhood
and schooldays. but the cbronicers silent regard
ing that period. They say nothing 10 whether