Rensselaer Union, Volume 6, Number 20, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 5 February 1874 — The New Chief-Justice. [ARTICLE]

The New Chief-Justice.

With Ohio, Connecticut is honored in the choice. Our own county was his birthplace, and our own city contains many whose intimacy, through ties of blooa and friendship, had taught them, long before the country began to know ana honor him, What his great qualities as alwayer, a student, and a high-toned gentlemen were. Mr. Waite was, till recently, an unknown man, at least throughout the country’. In his own State, and mqre especially in his own town, he has been regarded for some years as a lawyer of far more than average ability. Appointed by the President to assist General Gushing and William M. Evarts as counsel for our Government before the Geneva Board of Arbitration, his name was shadowed by the then greater fame of his two associaties. J'lot so when he finished his labors there, for by an argument of almost unequaled power, force and clearness, he attracted the general attention of the country, and was speedily thereafter acknowledged as one of the leading legal lights of the land. Those who had known Mr. Waite, however, previous to this were prepared'for the brilliant effort he then made. More recently, as President of the Ohio Constitutional Convention, he has still further added to his reputation. As a lawyer, Mr. Waite’s qualifications for the high position are unquestionable. Possessed of a mind keenly logical, his early training developed still more strongly its powers. His' father was eminent as a lawyer, and an honored Chief-Justice of our highest State Court. But by a life-long and intense application to the study he was by nature and training so admirably fitted for, and by an extensive practice at the Ohio Bar. he has perfected himself, so far as man can perfect himself, in the knowledge ol that limitless and grand study. Further than this his attention, either by choice or chance, has been turned especially to the interpretration of the many difficult questions of law underlying the constitution, and it was no doubt his great attainments in this branch of the science which induced his appointment as counsel at Geneva. It will be with no smattering of Coke, no scanning of Blackstone and Kent, that he wfiftake his seat. The principles of the law, and their application in the cause of justice and right, have been his study. His knowledge does not end with his'brief or plea. Preeminent, then, in this respect are his qualifications for the high position. But tb.e high character, the winning social qualifications, and the kindliness of heart, which with great learning combine to make die perfect Judge, Mr. Waite possesses in a high degree. The country has reason to thank Gen. Grant for this appointment.— Norwich (G’onn.) The President’s nomination of Hon. Morrison R. Waite for Chief Justice is not only unexceptionable in every way, but is an admirable one, and there can be no reason to doubt its prompt confirmation. The President has hit the good fortune which the old saying gives to the third effort. The selection is honorable to Gen. Grant, and befits the high character the Supreme Bench should have, and it is safe for the country. It is the more honorable to both parties because of the fact that Mr. Waite has not only not made or instigated any effort to influence the Preaident’s choice, but has advised against such efforts when offered by his friends. On his part the appointment is perfectly unsolicited, and on the part of the President it was made without any ««twwd pressure. Never has an appoint- • ’ - -• v:vr .-, . •-

ment been made to this high office in a manner that better befitted it. Mr. Waith is a lawyer of thorough training and of large practice, and has long ranked with the first lawyers of a state not lacking In high legal talent. , He has the direct and logical processes of thought, the judicial temper, and the Just mind which makes the jurist. With these high professional qualities he is distinguished for purity qf character, for a large humanity, a benevolent and generous nature, a warm heartedness, and a loyalty to friends and to convictions, which make him beloved by those who know him.— Cincinnati Oavette. ■■ ■ ,