Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1872-12-12
Rntland Dailp Aerald,
THE RUTLAND HERALD.
FRIDAY, DECEMBER 6, 1872.
Retirement of Judge Nelson.

The retirement of Hon. Samuel Mel
son from the bench of the Supreme
Court of the United States. after term
in addition to its national and political
significance and importance, has IA local
interest to the people of Vermont. from
his having received his collegiate educa-
ton at one of our colleges, and having
presided over the United States Courts
for Vermont, with few exceptional in
stances, since l845. Having thus retired
to private life, full of years and full of
honors. brief resume of his life may he
both interesting and opportune. He was
born at Hebron, Washington county.
New York, IL town almost on our imme-
diate border, i'll 1902, and having pur-
sued his preparatory studies in one of
the neighboring academies, he entered
Middlebury College, where he graduated
in 1913. He studied law and, upon be-
ing admitted to the bar, Immediately en-
tered upon successful practice of his
profession, in the active duties of which
he continued until his elevation to the
bench of his native State. His first ap-
pearance in public life was as a member
of the Constitutional Convention Of New
York, in 1921. Judge Hammond, ia his
Political History of New York." pub
lished in 1S43, says that, although IA
young man, he was among the most dis
tinguished members elected by the Dem
ocrats, of Convention that presented
an array of talent, political experience
and moral worth, perhaps never surpass-
ed by any assemblage of pcn elected
from single State" Such was the
ability and legal acumen displayed by
him III the Convention that. in 1923, at
the early age Of thirty, he was appoint
ed Judge OF the Circuit Court OF the
State of New York. The appointment
Of so young man to a high judicial po-
Sition would be noticeable at any time.
but was especially so fifty years ago. as
the idea was then almost univerSal-and,
we are sorry to say, is still prevalent to
some extent-that legal knowledge. busl-
ness capacity, talent and wisdom were
the sole attributes of age. In 1881. on
the election of William l.. Marcy to the
United States Senate, he succeeded him
as Judge of the Supreme Court of the
State of New York, and, in 1896, was
elevated to the Chief Justiccship Of the
same Court, on the retirement of Chief
Justice Brownson. On the 18th Of Feb
ruary, 1S45, he was nominated by Presi-
dent Tyler. and confirmed by the Senate,
Judge of the United States Supreme
Cour, in place of Judge Thompson. de-
ceased. This action of the Senate was
marked compliment to Judge Nelson.
rs they were politically opposed to him,
and had previously rejected the nomina-
ton of John c. Spencer and refused to
act upon that of Chancellor Walworth
for the same position, although both of
these gentlemen were able lawyers, pro-
found jurists, and in every way qualified
10 adOrn the bench. How well he per-
formed the duties of his high station,
the current judicial history of the coun-
try attests, and as "a patent judge" if
we raay so designate him, he stands with
out peer, or even rival, in the world
In acknowledgment of his legal acquire
ments and judicial ability, he was ap-
pointed by President Grant one of the
members of the "Joint High Commits
sion," on the part of the United States,
and it is understood, and we believe gen
orally conceded, that our commissioners
relied almost entirely upon him in all
questions of legal construction. His last
official act was tC affiX his signature to
the Treaty of Washington. And now.
after nearly half century's service as
Judge of the highest courts of the land
"a longer term of judicial service than
has before been known in the annals Of
this or any other country-he returns to
the privacy of domestic life. bearing
with him the acclaim of all good citizens.
We'll done, good and faithful servant.