New-York tribune., 1896-04-07
THE NEW TICE-CHANCELLOR
JOHN T BIRDS SUCCESSOR APPOINTED

FREDERICK W. STEVENS OF NEWARK Is THE MAN
HIS CAREER AT THE BAR--IAwYERS COM
MEND CHANCELLOR MGILLs SELECTION.
Frederic W Stevens OF Newark. has been select
ell by Chancellor McCiill to succeed Nce-Chancelor
Bird whose term will expire this week
Numerous strong petitions were presented to the
Chancellor requesting him 10 reappont Nic'-
Chancellor Bird The sight Of the latter Is seriously
affected and this falling precluded him from giving
that close applica ton which the onerous duties OF
the office require. and il was announced IN the
Chancery Chambers in Jersey City yesterday mat
the Chancellor informed the retiring Nce-chanceI-
lor that he would not be his own successor anu
that had been chosen
The change will cause some confusion and delay.
the retiring Vice-Chancellor has conducted hear
lngs in number of pending cases in which the new
Nce-Chaaceor will probably order new hearings
so that he may become thoroughly familiar "ith
the facts
The Chancellor has two other vacancies TO fill.
The term of Vice-Chancellor PitDeY Will expire IN
a few days Many lawyers are opposing his reap
pointmcnt. because Of his method Of conducting
cases. which have resulted in frequent tits with
lawyers who are disposed to occupy too much time
in examination Of witnesses trivial matters. Tine
last Legislature empowered the Chancellor 10 ap-
point another Vice-Chancellor. increasing the NUM-
Der to four II is said that this appointment VIII
probably be rendered TO Attoinev-'ieneral Johh T.
Stockton. whose term will soon end. Justice Van
Syckel and eX-Judge William NJ Lannng are also
mentioned.
Frederic William Stevens was born IN HopokeH'
June o. 1886 He graduated from Columbia Oh
lege in 1885 admitted to the bar in 1853 ana De-
gan practice in Newark When the district courts
in rst-class cities in the State were established ne
appoint ted judge Newark and served hVe
years.
Mr. Stevens has been identified with many legal
contests. He employed by the Attorney Ten
eral in the railroad suits growing out OF tne
corporation law Of 1854. and he was counsel IN
the States suit against the Delaware Lackawanna
and Western Railroad 20 recover <plVp or uhpald
taxes He also counsel in the senate cOntro-
versy 1894 Mr. Stevens drew up the bill creating
the Newark Board Of Works, and he served for
several years counsel for the Essex County Board
OF Freeholders. He counsel for the Jersey CITY
Board 4 Trade N the proceedings against the
s. VOOOo water entered into by Jersey city
ceeied I'm breaking the contract. and he was also
the new Jersey city charter. In most OF the legal
contests betw en- great corporations. Mr.. Stevens
has appeared as counsel, and he s now employed as
couree in the suit in the Nsw-Jersey chancery
Court 10 have the charter Of the American Tobacco
Company annulled. -,
Mr. Stevens has been spoken OF as Democratic
candidate for Governor and for other positions, out
he declined accept all the profered nominations
He has been active in party politics. he Is
member Of the Ecclesiastical Law Committee OF the
Protestant Episcopal Diocese Of Newark, and with
Courtlanlt Parker. revised all OF the canons gov
ernlng that body. His home Is In East Orange.