The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-09-27
ENVIABLE CAREER
Sketch Of Chancellor MeGilRs.
Life : His Judicial -S 70 .
Record. 4slqz rua

- Wgqe 90 a.
The most interesting figure in New
Jersey politics today is he whom tine
delegates of the Democratic state Con-
vention yesterday. in Trenton unall-
mously nominated candidate for 1Ae
G-overnorship, Alexander Taggart McGlll,
Chancellor of New Jersey. He is m
teresting in every phase of his character,
whether judicial or private. with
Seotch-Irish blood flowing in his veins
he has combined in him the cautious
ness and prudence of the one with the
energy and vitality of the other. n
is an embodiment or representation of
the maxim: "Suav1ter IN moao sea
fortiter in re-"
Alexander T. McGill. who has not only
achieved greatness, but had greatness
thrust worthily upon him. IS a descen-
dant from a famous Scotch Presby-
terrain family. When only a mere boy
in the town of Pittsburg, Pa, where
he was born, his father. who had ac-
cepted a professorship in the Thee
logical Seminary in connection with
old Nassau Hall, removed to Prince
ton, New Jersey. In the historic col
Iege young McGill entered and met
schoolmates who ultimately became dis
tinguis1ed in the service of the State
Young Alexander McGin quickly proved
to his masters hat he was no dullard.
In every department of study he won
for himself the esteem and admiration
of his teachers. He graduated from
Princeton in 1864 and at once entered
the law school of Columbia College, New
York city, from which he graduated
in 1866. Fis alma mater of Princeton
later conferred upon the degree of
LID.
HIS ADMISSION TO THE BAR.
In the law Office OF the late Supreme
Court Justice Edward W.. Seudder he
continued his law studies and was adj
mittted to the Bar of this State as at
torney in 1867. Three years later he be-
came a counsellor. Not long afterwards
Alexander McGiN entered into partner
ship with the late Attorney General of
the State Robert Gilchrist, who was then
considered one of the ablest advocates
and soundest constitutional lawyers in
the State; indeed some lawyers say the
State never produced such a forensic
orator. $500
His official career began in 1873, when
he was made counsel for the city OF
Bayonne. In this capacity his merit
Noo ~ INV 49, H " NJ <ADAN
@. Garretson was promoted from the
County Prosecutor to be the Law Judge
of Hudson county, Mr.. MeGill stepped
into the vacant office, and when Carrot
son withdrew from the judgesh,p to
enter into a law partnership with James
B. Vredenburgh, Mr.. McGill followeG
him to the bench. Governor Green pro-
NOTED lin to the Chancellorship in 1877,
and upon the expiration of his term las.
year Governor Werts r~e-appointed him.
His second term would expire in 1901
but on his election to the Gubernatorial
chair, and that event is certain, his
office of course will be vacant and he
must appoint his successor.
IN THE LEGISLATURE.
Prior to this Mr.. McGil a married a
most sestimable lady, thus connecting
himself with the Stevens family of Hobo-
KEN. During his office as Public Prose
cutor he won great praise for the able
management of the cases on behalf Of
the people, Fearlessly and faithfully
the arduous duties pertaining to that
office were performed, and although his
predecessors in the Prosecutors Office
had been universally accounted able
men, he gained distinction of a nost
enviable character.
In the years 1874 and rs he represented
the First Assembly district Of Hudson
in the Legislature. During his term in
Vulnerable attempts were made to grid
iron the county with boulevards. LucEe5
seeking politicians strove in vain, backed
by powerful and wealthy people, to fotst
expensive schemes for public roads pn
the already burdened people of fHudbn
county; but in AssembIyman McGifl they
ran up against an uncompromising foe.
Pledges, promises and seductive offers
did not prevail with him, and he alone
knocked the costly, fraudulent schemes
on the head and saved the people from
an expenditure almost ruinous to the
l credit of the county.
! Thoroughly imbued with these princi-
pies of rectitude which distinguished his
r f~orefathers, he gave valuable aid in the
PRONUNCIATION of those statutes which
now form an important factor in the
: State Constitution.
t In his private law practice he was the
: beau ideal of a lawyer, and a Jersey
City News representative who, a few
days ago, happened to be talking OF
Chancellor McGilPs earlier days to. one
who was once associated with him re-
! ceived this encomium, the highest pos
sible tribute to ar advocate:-"Why, my
dear sir, Alexander McGill was so up
right to his clients that the only thing
they accused him of was doing too much
: work for too little money"
These words express the character
istics of MI. McGill in his relations will
his clients. He made their cases his
and because SO absorbed in their sid'
a that no client could ever charge hin
/ with neglect in looking after the in
g ~terests of a sutton.
I HIS DEVOTION TO DUTY.
I This admirable trait of character
depotionsto duty and what the conscience
dictates 5 sright, has distinguished ever.
act of the Chancelldf's and wrung from
strangers unstinted praise and admira
ton. 1t has been aptly shown in his con
duct as Chancellor or keeper of tn
State of New jerseys conscience" dur
g ing a period Of eight years. Again am
again has the writer heard lawyers il
Chancery Chambers pay tribute to hi
painstaking methods to get ct the meat