The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1915-03-10
HISTORY BUILDERS.
How Democrat Helped a Republican
tWr7treu EH1rps-ly for The Washington HeraMJ
By DIR. r.. j. EDWARDS.

No on" Of the senators at Washington
whose terms expired on March T. 1851.
deceived more sincere. even affecting,
demonstrations OF friendship and express
sions of regret that his term in the Sem
ate SHOULD have ended than did Allen G..
Thurman. Senator from Ohio for two
terms. The perfect simplicity OF man
ner. the utter freedom from affectation
or sclf-cnnsciousncss. a certain delightful
unconventionality of speech and even of
dress. his confirmed habit OF using snuff
and then of utilizing a baudanna hand
kerChIof highly cOlOred and of the fash
ion of earlier years. all served to make
Senator Thurman in his personality as
attraCt!v" man as ever sat in the Sen
ate chamber.
lie had no enemies and he commanded
the respect and admira ton even of SEN
atOrS who We're conspicuous for Il certain
isolation OF habit. distinguished for
proud self-cOnsciousncss. or an assump
ton of excessive Senatorial dignity To
him Senator Roscoe CouklinG paid one Of
tn" rdrest compliments he ever bestowed
upon any of his colleagues. Thurman's
Senatorial intimate was Senator who
sat upon the opposite side of tine aisle.
Il senator win" resemblrd him in intellec-
tual qualities and Il mastery knowledge
of the law-CieorGe +. E:dmunds. Of Yer
mont.
It was known before Senator Thurman
mad been long in his seat that while no
one could surpass him in his devotion
to tn" principles which the Democratic
party represented. h" never permitted
himself To indulge either in excessive
partisanShip or in the characteristic
manipulations of politicians. This was
one of the reasons why, without losing
any of his influence. upon the Democratic
friendship and confidence OF Senators
upon the Republican side
The late Col. John T. Waite. who WAS
serving as a representative from one of
the Connecticut districts at the time of
Senator Humans completion Of his
Senatorial term and who was near Of
kin to Morrison r. Waite. who became
chief Justice Of the United States STU
pr"me Court in 1874, narrated t" me one
day an interesting auecdotc associated
with Senator Thurman.
When President Grant nominated Mr.. /
Waite as Chief Justice Of the Supreme
Court Bench" said the colonel. the |.
leading lawyers In Congress knew how
valuable Mr.. Waitc's service had been (
as one of the counsel for the United !
States before the Geneva tribunal which |.
was 10 pass upon the Alabama case. But .
outside the great lawyers and the people .
OF Ohio, Judge Waite was little known. .
1t was presumed that his pre-cminent .
service at Geneva would secure for his .
nomination speedy ratification by the .
Senate. For some reason. however .
which was never understood. Charles
Sumner. Senator from Massachusetts /
opposed the ratification Of the nominal
tion. ThCrcupOn Senator Thurman made
n very earnest speech to the Senators in
executive session. He spoke of Judge
Waite's very great professional attain
merts. He referred to the mastery
manner IN which Judge Waite had pre-
pared the case for the United States be-
fore the Geneva tribunal. He referred
to the high personal qualities that were
OF him. and insisted that
he would not permit his party affiliations
In any manner to influence his opinions
while judge.
This was a remarkable Endorsement
to be made by a Democrat of the NOM
nation of Republican for high Office.
II was instantly successful. Senator
opposition was withdrawn and
Judge Waite was unanimously confirmed
as President Grants appointee as Chief
Justice OF the Supreme Court"
Copyright. 1917. by L. J. Edwards All rights re
Scryed.b
Tomorrow DIR. Edwards will tell of
The Man Who Made President /