JUDGE GEORGE GRAY
281
others whose names were considered. It appointed by the President one of the is not an unimportant fact to be remembered American members of the permanent Court in connection with Mr. Gray's service in the of Arbitration at The Hague, and by his Senate that President Cleveland had taken acceptance of that office as well as by pub for the Cabinet three of the strongest men of lic addresses of an unofficial character, he has his party in the Senate and that Mr. Gray, indicated his lively interest in every wellcoming in at that juncture, in a compara . designed effort for the promotion of inter tively short time had acquired such a national peace. In 1899, after his retirement from the position of influence that he was very much Senate, Mr. Gray was appointed United relied on by the administration as a sup porter of its policy and measures on the States Circuit Judge for the Third Circuit, a law having been passed providing for an floor of the Senate. During the year. 1898 Mr. Gray was additional judge therein; and since that appointed by President McKinley a member time he has discharged the duties of that of the Joint High Commission to negotiate a high office in such a manner as most fully settlement of differences between the United to justify his selection. His opinions in the States and the Dominion of Canada, and Circuit Court of Appeals, reported through he entered upon the performance of that more than thirty volumes of the decisions, duty. But again in 1898, and before the are the best illustration of his fitness for the work of that commission was concluded, Bench. Covering the wide range of ques the Delaware Senator was called to serve tions cognizable in the Federal Courts, in an important international conference. they show patient investigation both of A truce having been agreed to between law and facts, keen discrimination in the the United States and Spain, three sena examination of authorities and the testi tors, Messrs. Frye, Davis and Gray were mony, thorough mastery of fundamental named as members of the commission which principles, sound judgment in seeking and met in Paris and negotiated the treaty of applying such of them as should rule the peace, which definitely terminated hos particular question involved, and an over tilities. During the sessions of the com mastering desire to determine the very mission, Senator Gray was strongly opposed right of the case in hand. It is noticeable to the acquisition of the Philippine Islands, that in his Court of Appeals, in most of the and so expressed himself in an earnest Admiralty and Patent cases, he has written despatch to the Secretary of State. His the opinions. This appears from the views, however, being overruled, both by reports to have been the usual practice of the his colleagues and by the President, when Court and, if it be so, it is readily accounted he found that the cession of the islands for by certain characteristics of the man could not be avoided, he signed the treaty already alluded to. Judge Gray's belief in order that there might not be presented to in the importance of making the decisions of the world a division of opinion among the the Court of last resort as authoritative as American representatives. It was manifest, possible would seem to be indicated by the then and since, that, believing the acquisi fact that he has seldom dissented, and tion of the islands undesirable, he will though time has not permitted a thorough favor the promotion from time to time of examination of the records, it appears from the largest measure of self government con the Appellate Reports, that his own decis sistent with the interest of their inhabi ions in the Circuit Courts have seldom, if tants and the obligations to them, both ever, been reversed. It is the judgment of the members of the legal and moral, which we assumed. At this period Senator Gray was also Bar who practice before him, which finally
