Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1862-03-20

citizens OF the United States for spolia-
tions committed on their commerce, prior
to September S0lh. 1900. The committee
reported in favor OF the passage Of the
bill, and Mr.. Prentiss, in speech of con-
siderable length, presented a plain and
condensed view of the whole matter, and
demonstrated the justice of the claims,
and the moral, equitable and legal obliga-
tons of the United States to satisfy and
discharge them.
In January, 1887, and during every
session of the Senate thereafter, as long
as he remained member of that body.
he introduced bill establishing Poard
of Commissioners, TO hear and exauine
all claims against the United States. He
introduced and advocated this bill on ac-
Sount Of the great delays, trouble and ex-
pense TO which persons having claims
against the Government were subiso,ed,
land Of the time consumed by Congress, in
their examination. The bill repeatedly
passed the Senate, but never came to II
final vote in the House. The object aim
ed at has since been attained Ivy the or.
gaaizaton OF the Court OF Claims.
Judge Prentiss is she author OF the
present law prohibiting durIling in the
District of Columbia. lie prepared the
bill and introduced it into the Senate. soon
after the duel between Hon. William J.
Graves of Kentucky, and lion. Jonathan
Cilley Of New Hampshire, both of whom
were members OF the llou-e OF Repre-
sentatives. He made three speeches in
support of the bill; the first, upon intro
ducing it; the second, in reply to the OBJ
jrctiOns Which had been made against il
and the third, on the general merits OF
the bill. His third speech is said to have
been remarkably impressive and effec.
tive, both in its style and ideas" II was
mainly, if not wholly, owing to bis exer'
tons that the bill became law.
Mr.. Prentiss was one of, Ohly, two
Senator's belonging to the Wing party
who refused to sustain the Bankrupt Act
of 1871. He used all of his influence te
prevent its passage. In his speech in
opposition to this measure, he is said to
have showed "a profound acquaintance
with the English system Of common and
statute law, and comprehensive sagacity
with respect to the results of the measure
should it be carried into action" JOHN
G. CALHOUN said that this speech Of
Judge Prentiss was "the clearest and
most uranswerable argument to which he
had listened for many years, on any de-
batable question"
On the 9Th day of April 1912, the
President ofthe United States sent TO the
Senate the nomination of Samuel Prentiss
for Judge of the District Court of the
United States, for Vermont, Imme
diately on receiving the nomination, the
Senate went into Executive session, anC
without the, almost invariable, reference
to a committee, confirmed the nominati)I
by a resolution declaring thu. the,
, " unanimously advised and consente,
thereto"
He accepted this appointment, and con
sequenIly resigned his seat in the Senate
: Upon the RECENT of his letter Of resig
nation, members of both parties in Sen
ate "vied with each other II expressin
their opinions of his eminent fitness fo
E the office, and their regrets that man S
1 pure and firm OF so much soundness c
mind and views; of so much rare del
caey of conscc;;;::ss..oo.:ss..iess man a. M
cessary to the Senate as he would b
J to the Bench--was to be removed fror
, among them.'
Judge Prentiss continued to discharg
.. the duties required of him as Judge o
the United States Courts of Vermont
, with increasing honors to himself, and t,
, the satisfaction OF all having business re
lations with those Courts, till his death
BY resolution of the Legislature of Yer
mont, some of his more important opini n
were published in the same volumes will
the reports of the decisions of our Stat
Courts.
, He WAS one of the Trustees of Dart
mouth College, New Hampshire, iron
1920 to 1927, and received, in 1882
from that College, the honorary degree o
Doctor of La,gs.
Samuel Prentiss died at Montpelier
Washington County, Vermont, Januar,
18th, 1857, in the 18th year of his age.