The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-08-25
The DREAM OF HIS LIFE
CALEB CUSHING'S AMBITION n HIS
DISAPPOINTMENT.
He Wanted n Seat on the Supreme
Bench, Was Nominated. but the
Senate Failed to Confirm Him.
Washington Times.

Washington Times.
The failure of the Senate in 1874 to con-
firm the nomination of Caleb Gushing as
chief justice of the United States Supreme
Court has never been understood by those
who know how eminently qualified for the
high position he was. l.. T. Cowie. of this
city, who was for years General Cushing's
private secretary. is, perhaps, more ia
miliar with the circumstances surrounding
the case than any one who knew the dis
tinguished lawyer and statesman. AS re-
lated by Mr.. Cowie the story is an inter-
esting one.
1.-The people of the United States. with
out regard to politics. said Mr.. Cowie, a
few days ago, were never so much sur
prised as when. on Jan. IA. 1874, the nomi-
nation of Caleb Cushing for the position of
chief justice of the Supreme Court was
withdrawn by President Grant. The nomi-
nation had been sent to the Senate. on Jan.
o. On Jan. 6 he had been nominated min
lister TO Spain and was confirmed on the
same day without a dissenting vote. The
next day the newspapers of the country
all applauded the President for so wise
an appointment. The Virginius affair at
that time threatened to cause war between
this country and Spain. and the services Of
a shrewd international lawyer and diplo-
mat. and one who was familiar with the
Spanish language, was needed. In this eN-
tremity the President seemed to know the
mar for the hour. and Immediately Sc
lected Caleb Gushing for the place.
But there was a still higher and more
important position to be filled by the Presi-
dent. that of chief justice of the Supreme
Court. The nomination of Hon. George ii.
Williams. of Oregon then attorney gen.
eraD, which was sent to the Senate on Dec.
2. 1873, had been held up by the judiciary
he had purchased landausi for his own
private use at the expense OF the govern
ment-, President Grant withdrew Mr.. Will
ans name on Jan. 8, 1874, and the fol-
owing day nominated Caleb Gushing. of
virginia, chief justice. That he was Justi-
fed in making this nomination and to
show that his desire and aim were to Sc
cure the man best qualified to fill that
high position, can easily be proven by a
brief record of General Cushing's public
life.
HIS VARIED CAREER.
Born Jan. II, 1900. in Salisbury. Mass.
he graduated at Harvard College at the
early age of seventeen. From 1926 to 1899 he
was continuously elected to the state Leg
i~slature; from 1894 to 1913 he was sent to
the United States House of Representa-
tives as n member from that district. lie
was then appointed as our first commits
sioner TO China, and negotiated the treaty
which gave us the first open port in that
country. In 1S47. at the outbreak of the war
between the United States and Mexico. he
raised and equipped a regiment in Massa-
chusetts at his own expense, became it's
colonel. and was subsequently made briga-
der general for gallant service on the
field of battle. In 1853 he was nominated
by President Pierce as attorney general,
and served until 1857. the full four years.
His service in the army and as attorney
general caused him 10 be called General
Cushing from 1858 until his death.
lin 1872 he was appointed by the Presi-
dent one OF the counsel to represent the
United States before the international tri-
bunal in Geneva. Switzerland. for the pros
ecution of what was then known as the
Alabama claims against Great Britain
He, together with William NJ. Evarts. OF
New York. and Morrison r. Waite. of
Ohio. succeeded In obtaining one Of the
largest awards ever given, over 49, COG. 90.
In favor of the United States against
Great Britain.
Under the circumstances the President
had a right TO expect a prompt and unani-
nous confirmation of Mr.. Cushing's nomi-