The Donaldsonville chief. [volume] (Donaldsonville, La.) 1871-current, 1872-11-30
A Probable Change on the Su-
.oazs preme Bench. 54
[Fron, the n. o. Republican.]

Judge Nelson of the UDited States
Supreme Court recently signifed his
|intention to retire in April and avail
himself Of the act Of Congress passed
two Or three years ago, providing for
the retirement of Judges after long
term of service. The venerable .Nel-
son has been for more than fifty years
q judge, a large portion Of the time
having been devoted to his duties on
the bench of the United States SUI
preme Court and as United States Cir
cult Judge for New York. After him,
in rank, comes Judge Clifford. 331
Judge Nelson is one Of the links
that connect the present with the past
age. A jurist Of first order Of ability
he has, however, been unable to Keep
pace with thespirit of progress infused
into the national policy by the results
of the late revolution; and he has
on more than one occasion found him.
self overrulel in important cases in
volving momentous questions by his
younger associates. He has adhered
with great tenacity to the constitution
as it was, 60 much, indeed, as to sug-
Eest the imputation that he regarded
the work of the original statesmen of
the country sac1amental, and beyond
the reach Of innovation. But his
sound views upon the general l,rinci-
plies of common law, added to a char
acter for integrity that has never been
even assailed, have endeared him to
the hearts Of all classes, including
many who would have been pleased
to see in him. more prompt recogni-
stion Of the living principles ordained
sby the people Of the present day. He
has been q faithful servant to the re-
public, and deserves well at the hands
of his countrymen. We. rejoice that
our nation has SO far overcome its an
tcicnt tendency to economy as to pro-
vide far the ,confort il, odd age Of such
dong tried and ever faithful men.
Judge Settle Of North Carolina has
been spoken of as his probable success
ssor, hut with what grounds we are
mot informed. Neitherlare we famil-
Jar with his history as a jurist. ~.
It is believed, too, that Judge Chase
sWbA EOtafO oOOu3 ~ HIS u0asit1 tS vet
feeble, and, he 10 really unequal to the
Generous duties Of his position. A trip
to California this winter has been rec
commended for him in hopes of afford
ing him relief. # 4z3ad oE ~
President Grant will therefore al
most certainly be called upon to nom
mate two members Of the Supreme
Court before his second term expires.
Judge Nelson is the last remaining
member of the court who took part in
the Dred Scott decision in 1856, Judges
Campbell and Curtis, who were mem
5bers ut that time, having resigned.
All the rest are dead. The court was
then constituted thus: Chief Justice
Taney, Associate Justices Wayne,
Greer, Catron, Mclean, Nelson, DAN
.iel, Curtis and Campbell. The present
Judges are Chief Justice Chase, AS
.sociate Justices Nelson, Clifford,
Swayne, Miller, Davis, Field, Strong
and Bradley. The two last named
were appointed by President Grant;
Judges Chase, Miller, Swayne, Field
and Davis were appointed by Lin
coin; Judge Clifford by Buchanan,
and Judge Nelson, we believe, by
ok. sa- .z.yfi.E .z..... >s--.