The Weekly Kansas Chief

How Mr. Waite Came to be Chief Justice.

The Toledo Blade reveals a little secret history concerning the origin of the circumstances which led to the elevation of Mr. Waite to the Chief Justiceship. The fact is said to be that Mr. Waite strongly sympathized with Secretary Delano in the contest in which he engaged against Governor Chase, of Ohio, in the winter of 1859-60 for the United States Senatorship. The Blade says:

Mr. Delano knew the sterling qualities of Mr. Waite, and in addition to this felt a strong bond of political sympathy binding them together, and when opportunity offered for doing his country good service, and at the same time gratify a desire to do a kind act for an esteemed friend, without promptings from any quarter, he exerted his influence, which resulted in the appointment of Mr. Waite first as counselor to Geneva, and second to the Chief Justiceship. In doing this, Secretary Delano was prompted by none but the purest motives of patriotism and personal friendship, and the country will yet have occasion to be thankful that a chain of circumstances existed which secured the appointment of a Chief Justice possessing such rare qualifications of head and heart for the exalted position.