Year: 1873

\
the late Chief Justice Chase, OF OHIO has recently
excited considerable interest on the part OF leading
lawyers OF the metropolis and the nation Below
the HERALD presents an epit0me OF the Views o.
some of the leading members Of the Bar OF this
CITY, to which, by way OF preface, ts given the cur
rent opinion on the matter in the national capital
Tho Chief Justiceshtp In Washington. I.


WASHINGTON, August q, 1873
!, correspondent OF the HERALD had yesterday Q
Conversation with o prominent lawyer, whose
reputation has long since compassed the nation, on
the question Of the vacant Chief Justiceship. After
some general conversation in reference to the
nomination, the names OF possible candidates were
discussed. In this talk there was such pleasant
ripple OF personality, and 1t was so gossipy In its
"details that cannot refrain from giving 1t you. In
Withholding the name, however, am quite sure l
am only justifying the confidence that was reposed
in me.


CHANCES OF JUDGE WOODRUFF.


II 1t is decided, as believe 1t Is likely that 1t
win be, that the nomination shall be made from
New York State, think that Judge Woodruns
chances are even moro than good. think 80 for
many reasons apart from his fitness, which is, as
AL who know him must concede, undoubted
fYou will remember that Judge Woodruff was
Judge in the Superior Court minor and
somewhat inferior CouSA when Circuit judges





three years ago General Grant, himself
gave one Of these Circuit judgeships to
Judge woodruff, and that must have been done
from some intimate knowledge OF the Judge; for
when he was on the Superior Court bench he was
not popular. He had the habit then OF falling In
love with one side OF case generally on the facts,
and. OF course, generally on the right side. II he
did not fall In love with the facts he was good
lawyer that he would fall In love with law point
nnd this troubled the lawyers practising before
him. and II they were on the side that he did not
fall In love with they would be sus-
picious Of prejudice. When he was, there
fore, selected by Grant fer the Supreme
Court Judgeship ne was not popular with
the Bar, and must have owed the selection to some
other influence than that Now, he has lived
down all this prejudice. The Bar cheerfulV and
frankly acknowledge his worth and single minded
ness, and he would be endorsed by all lawyers who
know him. know, too, from good authority, that
General Grant has him IN mind; and, though there
has been no promise that the Judge would have
the nomination, still there was enough said to
show that General Grant would not object. l
know Judge Woodruff well; I know how well he
would become the Chief Justceship, aud I really
should be very glad TO see him obtain 1t.


CHANCES OF WILLIAM NJ. EvARTs.


The practice has been TO make the nomination
from the Bar rather than from the Bench. II that
practice is continued, Mr.. Evarts ought certainly
to be the man selected. In saying so, am only
obeying tue behests OF my head, and doing simple
justice to Mr.. Evarts. Ny relations with Mr..
Evarts are OF the riendest character, but II they
were not should from feeling OF simple justice,
as l have said, say the same thing. He is pre-
emlnenty, OF all at the Bar, the best fitted for
this position. But l am not inclined to think he
will get IL for all that You will remember





the suggestion OF his friend, Seward. In the i'm.
parchment that he displeased the ultra-republi-
cans In becoming counsel, and that they have
never forgiven him for it. Now. think Grant has
little OF that feeling left. Johnson once told
Graft that he (Grant was treacberous aud a liar,
and Grant never iorgave Johnson for that, and
when Eyarts defended Johnson the remembrance
ofthis accusation came up, and Evarts did not grow
In favor with Grant In answer to that know 1t Is
eaid that Grant sent Evarts to Geneva,
but all about that is not generally known.
Evarts was not selected until other men
they had hoped to get had declined. They wanted
man that was cold, calculating, solid, a good
lawyer and OF invincb!e Judgment Cushing was
too eccentric to he left alone; Wade was "a collect
Ing lawyer" in the West, and had not the special
knowledge that was requisite. 1t was absolutely
Inevitable that they should get a man in whose
ability they had the most undoubted confidence,
and Grant took Evarts because he was obliged to.
There never was any doubt-there never could have
been by anybody-that he was eminently fitted for
It; but that did not remove the personal
prejudice. Then there Is another circumstance
that seems to point In the same direction. Grant
removed Evarts from the Attorney Generalship.
1t is true that he put Hoar IN his place, who was
Evarts' FIRST cousin, but don't suppose Grant
knew of the relationship. Now there was no public
rhy Eu koAn hA
had been all that was desired under Lincoln; ne
was one OF the party, was very much above the
general run OF Attorney Generals and II could
only have been In consequence OF some personal
prejudice on the part Of Grant that this step was
taken. Were 1t not for these thlngs--and we can
not help thinking Of them-I should certainly think
Eyarts would be the next Chief Justice.


CHANCES OF JUDGE PIERREPosr.


Pierrepont, the ex-United States District Attor.
uey, is intensely eager for it He wants 1t aud is
trying with might and main 70 get It. Well. don't
think he has the remotest chance. As TO his quail.
ncations, they are almost lmmcasurably inferior 70
those OF the other two men. He Is q rather noisy
politician and o place hunter. and that, In some
aspects may be to him recommendation. Still
think Grant wont allow that now to influence him.
He will give the appointment II he can, where the
profession will unanimously endorse It.


CHANCES OF ATTORNEY GENERAL WILLIAMS.


There are one or two influential ctrcumstanc ces
IN favor OF williams. Williams Is O Western man,
and the West, IL IL said, are making o claim. lie
Is near the President and can help forward his
chances. He has another help, which has no
small influence with the President Mrs. Williams
Is q great favorite OF the President. l do not
mean to intimate that the President is sub
ject to any other influence than that he
admircs ana greatly respects Mrs. Williams and
that q lady In such advantageous circumstances
with the appointing power might make use OF
these circumstances to help forward her husbands
prospects in life. All perfectly legitimate enough,
and doubtless having no small weight. MY own
impression however, is that Williams Will not be
the man. There would be fewer jeaousies II IL