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had the opportunity to make four appointments to the Supreme Bench-Justices Brewer, Brown, Shiras and Jackson. Opposition was anticipated to his confirmation, as the Republicans did not like the appointment of a Democratic judge by a Republican President, and the Democrats thought the President should await the incoming of President Cleveland for the filling of a life position. But the nomination was unanimously confirmed fifteen days after the appointment. His opinion was sought by judges on questions of law and practice when a young man at the Memphis bar. He stands highest with those who know him best. Says Hon. R. B. Cowen, Clerk of the United States Courts, at Cincinnati: "He is the greatest judge I ever saw preside." In the last six reports (148-154 U. S.) appear 56 opinions, including six dissents, decided by him. An ideal lawyer, devoted to his profession from the love of it, scholarly, hard-working, courageous, direct, honest, sincere, clean. He is, withal, a typical Southern gentleman, genial and brilliant in conversation.

SIR HENRY JAMES, ENGLAND.

(1828-)

The Right Honorable, Queen's Counsel, Member of Parliament. Born at Hereford, England, October 30, 1828. His father, Philip Turner James, was a practicing surgeon in Hereford. He was educated at Cheltenham College; called to the bar in 1852; distinguished himself as Lecturer's Prizeman at the Inner Temple at twenty-two; made Queen's Counsel in 1869, and a Bencher of his Inn in 1870; a Member of the House of Commons in 1869, continuing in office till 1885; took a prominent part in 1872 in the debates on the Judicature Bill; appointed Solicitor General by Mr. Gladstone in 1873, succeeding Sir George Jessel, and two months later became Attorney General, receiving knighthood; re-appointed Attor ney General in 1880, and in 1886 was tendered the Chancellorship (a position paying $50,000 sterling annually, with a pension for life), but declined the office on the ground that he could not accept Mr. Gladstone's Home Rule opinion. This is, perhaps, the greatest instance of abstinence from political ambi

tion that the English bar records, being the highest judicial office in the British empire, entitling the holder to the presidency of the House of Lords, that is, to a seat on the woolsack. He was of counsel for the Times in O'Donnell v. Walter, and also counsel be

fore the Parnell Commission.

His parliamentary reputation is quite as high as his legal. His management of the Judicature and the Corrupt Practices Acts called forth the admiration of his party. Has remarkable natural gifts, a singular facility in mastering and reproducing complicated details, and a keen insight into character and motives. "As a cross-examiner he is second only to Sir Charles Russell, and as an advocate rises to heights to which Sir Charles never attains. In power of literary perception and expression, he has no living rival at the English bar," says an English legal contemporary. He is tall, with iron gray hair and whiskers, dark, sunken, penetrating eyes, high brow and clear-cut lips. His voice, at first husky, becomes strong and clear as he advances. He speaks rapidly and gestures frequently.

JOHN JAY, NEW YORK.
(1745-1829)

First Chief Justice of the United States, and one of the statesmen of the Revolutionary period. Born in the city of New York, December 12, 1745, of mixed French and Dutch descent. Entered King's (now Columbia) College, 1760. Admitted to the bar in 1768. Was a member of the Continental Congresses and at the same time of the Provincial Congresses of New York. Drafted the New York constitution, perhaps the model of the Federal Constitution. During the war, as Chief Justice of the State, and in other capacities, he was of essential service to the arms of the Colonies. Minister to Spain, 1779-1782, and joined Franklin at Paris to negotiate the peace, the surprisingly successful conclusion of which was due more to him than to any one. Some of the most admired numbers of the Federalist were from his pen. In the critical time of the gestation of a new government, from 1784 to 1789, Jay was Secretary for Foreign Affairs, and, on the inauguration of Washington, being offered his choice of all the great offices,

he became Chief Justice, a position which he said should be as independent of the inconstancy of the

people as it is of the will of the President.

signed in 1795.

He re

While Chief Justice, as special envoy, he made the commercial treaty with Great Britain which was so salutary and so much abused. Governor of New York, 1795 to 1801. Though of

ferred the Chief Justiceship again by President Adams, he peremptorily declined, and from 1801 to his death, May 17, 1829, he lived in retirement.

Jay, whose integrity was pure, and whose life, spotless, never sunk his manhood in the correctness of his principles. His clear intellect saw the path of rectitude, and he independently walked therein, undeterred by formal obstacles. So great and useful a career seldom gets itself acted with such close adherence to principle. He was not a brilliant advocate, a profoundly learned lawyer, or a master of practice; but rather a statesman and a jurist.

Qualifications for a Judge.

"Firmness *

*

as well as integrity and

caution, will be requisite to explore and persevere in the path of Justice. They who, in following her

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