The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-02-25
A CLOSE AND INTIMATE
VIEW OF SENATOR
EL|HU ROOT
Boston Transcript

When we reflect that he has never
catered to the mob, and that he lacks
all the supposed essentials OF populars
ity in public life, the persistency with
which Elihu Root continues to be &C
claimed as a presidential possibility
can only arouse our wonder. Add to
these facts the further one that he
never lets pass an opportunity to de-
clare that under no circumstances
would he accept a nomination. and we
must fall back upon the theory that
the American people have made to,
belated a discovery of how great a
statesman they have had among them,
serving as subordinate in admlnistra-
tons of which he might more fifty
have been chief.
From the day that, as country
bred youth of twenty-five just admit
ted to the bar, Root plunged into the
practice of the law with no money and
few friends, in the biggest and least
hospitable city in America, he was
person of mark. Old lawyers who
came into contact with him were so
impressed with his individuality that
they invited him to share their work
as junior counsel in important cases,
and listened to his advice as the Duke
listened to Portals. Once they did
it to their cost, when, at the opening
of the trial of "Boss" Tweed. he sug-
gested to his elders that they request
Judge Noah Davis, whose turn it was
to hear the case, not to do so. because
he was so strongly prejudiced against
the prisoner that he probably could
not make impartial rulings. Davis
promptly responded that he would not
withdraw, that their proposal Was a
piece of efffrontery, and that he should
punish them for contempt. The older
lawyers not only paid their fines with
becoming meekness, but later apollo
gized to the judge with frank confes
sion that he had done Eight in punish
ing them; Root, however, absolutely
refused to join in tine Omission.
How came this young man of honest
instincts and antecedents to be en-
gagged in the defence of so notorious
crook as Tweed? Well. for that
matter, how came he later to be coun-
sci for the Sugar Trust, and the
Whiskey Trust, and the Broadway
railroad ring, and various other COM
binations with bad names? The con-
ditions were all alike. Here were
groups of men whose right to life, IL
berty and the pursuit of happiness was
as we'll guaranteed as his own; they
were accused of crime, but accusation
could be convicted they must marshal
every fact and every privilege avail
able for their defence. Equally was it
his professional prerogative, as II
might under certain conditions be-
come his duty. to aid them in so pre-
senting their pleas as to make sure
that no cog should slip in the ma
chinery of justice. So he took their
retainers with as little conjunction as
he accepted the huge fees coming to
him as counsel in the Stewart, Prayer
weather, Hoyt and other famous will
cases where no crime. but only family
dispute, was before the court. Staunch
Republican as he was. he had no hest,
tancv in protecting so violent Demo
crat as the late Charles A. Dana
against forcib1e removal from New
York to Washington under prosecu
| ton for libel; and as legal adviser tc
Mayor Weaver of Philadelphia he wa:
| eager to turn upon members of hi:
own party who had been despoiline
that city and send them to the peniten
tiary.
Here we have the sense of detach
ment which is part of the ideal equip
ment of the lawyer and the public of
fcer; Root could put his personal like
and dislikes, faiths and affiliations
wholly out of the question, and worl
with the same fidelity for whoever hat
enlisted his services. regardless Q
whether or not his human sympath
4 les had been enlisted as we'll. On
would think that man who coul'
pursue such policy consistent.
Il through a series of years would max
an excellent Judge. So thought Elih
H Root, once, for little while. But whel
Il he stood for election to the New Yor
Il Common Pleas bench and the peopl
Il registered at the polls their Opinion
Il that he would not suit them. that set
II tied the matter not only for ludicia
Il but for all other elective honor'
II Since .hen he has refused nomination