The Washington herald., 1917-05-21

Voted daily hours OF voluntary laoor 70
the examination and study of reports,
statutes, and various cases OF law which
was In part the occupation fof Rufus
Choate. He did, however, possess the
advantages which distinguished MS
cousin, Rufus Choate. first, being most
attractive personality. Joseph H. Choate
was always in bodily presence man 10
whom others turned TO look again, for
there was something unusually attrac-
tive in his personality. His was the head
or Apollo and II was borne until late in
life In noble poise upon his shoulders
This personality was of vast service 10
Choate in his professional career. 1t ap-
pealed to Jurors, and there was charm In
his voice, grace in his attitude, and the
suggestion Of perfect confidence in his
own powers, which are personal qualities
which have influence in persuading q
jury. He did not possess the power OF
tempestuous attack of Rufus Choate or
the glowing FIRE of that great leaders
eloquence, nor the commanding. almost
hypnotic, expression that was in Rufus
Choate's eyes when he spoke to court or
TO jury. Yet he was a very great advo-
cate. of higher power in that respect than
as a lawyer pleading to court sitting
en- banc.
Achieved Prominence at Once.
Like his distinguished professional as
soctate and partner, william NJ. Evarts,
Choate began his career at the New
York bar In such manner as to make
him almost instantly prominent He was
still much under 40 years of age when
he achieved reputation as Evarts pos
sessed at 81. which indicated Evarts as
possibly born to be the leader of the
American bar.
It may be, as some have said, that Mr..
Choate was not a great reader of books
nor companion of the classics yet
there are TO be detected in some of his
addresses evidences that he took to heart
the counsel given to him by Rufus
Choate at the beginning of his career at
the bar. For the elder Choate said to
the young man that he should always
bear in mind that the four great English
men were Shakespeare, Bacon, Milton
and Burke, and that not the least of
these was Burke. Occasionally there
were flashes of the influence of Burke
in Choates addresses. at least in those
which were of a miscellaneous chara cter
Whether he did or did not read the
classics nor delved with delight in the
treasures of the English writer's. he be-
came master of STYLE which, although
at times diffuse. nevertheless made II pos
sible to read his words with something
like the delight which must have been the
experience of those who heard them
spoken. His sentences were rhythmic
suggested spontaneity, not much adorned
with the flowers OF rhetoric but having
the charm of simplicity of narrative If
he did not think very profoundly or ac-
cutely, he so expressed his thoughts In
words as to make all that he said worth
reading. and then reading again.
Gifted with Singing wit.
He was gifted with the dangerous ca
n Sitv FOR uCit hor 81. =
sense Of humor. Sometimes It was
thought that his wit contained a little
sting, an accusation which was never
made when the delightful wit OF William
NJ. Evarts was quoted and requoted.
Mr. Choate's professional earnings
were large. He knew how to avail him
self of the learning and ability Of others,
generously apportioning to those to
whom he was indebted their due share Of
commendation. The mastery brief which
he submitted to the Supreme Court at
Washington in the income tax proceed
lngs was chiefly the work OF his taci-
turn, modest and labor-saving partner,
the late Samuel Southmayd. Choate
was gifted with almost intuitive tudg-
ment. whereby he was enabled to appro-
pirate and wisely use the counsels
and legal disclosures which were made
by others TO him. His largest single fee
is understood to have been $4,000. which
he received for an opinion that he gave
when the question Of the contest Of the
Hopkins will was under consideration,
and yet he spent only one or two nights
in a study OF the question. Few lawyers
gain fame even though they have Sc
cured worldwide reputation while living.
but II seems to be inevitable that in view
Of the splendid service rendered by Mr..
Choate In these days OF grim war and
the undoubted forfeiture of his life be-
cause of that service, his fame will en-
dure.