New-York tribune., 1872-12-06
FIFTY YEARs ON THE BENCH.
JUDGE NELSON'S RETIREMENT TRIDUTES OF
ESTEEM.

JUDGE NELSON'S RETIREMENT - TRIBUTES OF
ESTEEM.
The retirement of Judge Nelson from the
Bench OF the Supreme Court Of the United sates after
bafcentury OF honorable Judicial service has given
occason for many expressions OF respect for his high
personal and official character and OF appreciation for
HIS long nrduous, and faithful public services Secretary
Fish. In acknowledging the receipt Of Judge Nelson's
letter OF resignation. saws;
cannot allow the formalitY OF an Official acknowl-
edgmeut 10 without Tho expression or my personal
regret that the has come when You feel it your
right to seek the repose which course
TILES y1n ana that 10 falls 20 10 e the paper which
Is terminate your connection with the highest
or the country and TO separate from the admins
tration o. justice, to which half century have
contributed On amount OF patent labor, aud vi learning.
and purity, dignity. aud lmpattalty which have com
manded tho confidence esteem anG admiration Of an en-
tire i0n ana the acknowledgment VI Jurists ia other
lands.
The Freemdn's Journal Of CooperstOwn. N. Y. Judge
Nelson's hOme reviews ias follows his sDgularly long
and brilliant judicial career:
After service Of twenty eight years on the bench
the supreme Court OF the United aes and twenty two
years juail officer OF is native state, Judge Nel-
SOD on Thanksgiving Day sent to the Secretary OF STATE
ns resignation Of the Justices OF the supreme
Court. ana 10 was accepted on the Ist instan-
AID taus closes nust remarkable and highly honor.
able ana nguished uacIa career covering period
Of half century. As to pO.nt Of time and constant
service u Is witaout precedent In this country or Ell
gland and ee doubt whether 1t has parallel IN the
history oi Jurisprudence. Lord Mansfield served 81
and LOr E1ou % years ana they longest on
81 years the bench, CheJustice fancy 20 years. Mir
Justice story "A years, aud Chancellor Kent about Is
yeaTsand 81 te distinguished Judges of TINS country
they longest held judicial positions.
Judge Nelson Vas appointed Judge Of the Sixth Cir
cut, wnicn included OtsegO COUNT in Apr 1929 p0-
slfiOu which he held unt February, 1884, when he was
made Associate Justice Of the Supreme Court OF tbo
State " NewYOIk. aud On the resignation or ChieJus-
Licc SivIr, 1881, ne took Ills place. In February,
1885, Fl the bench u tAe Supreme Court
Uaitcd States where he has the highest hon
Ors rs uge CT cOnmOu-seBse, broad views, tue
highest sense pf honor and ready grasp Of woighty
topics. Ou questions IN admiralty Law and intricate
pueut suits. a writer la "a Philadelphia paper recently
remarked, especial deereuco was always paid 10 the
opinions Of JuIge Nelson.
Ihe Judge his with snght exception always enjoyed
robust meath. has been absent from duty at
UuIted otIBs Courts bat one term, lndg vi
last year. Al tue closing Session or the Grand hIgh
Commission Spring OF 1871, which lasted 10 dAys
not only tast Importance Dut at times very
luxurious Judge Nelson severe cold trOm SITTING
several hours la a uOL sufficiently warmed, aud
autr his for several months conhued 10
his house It's effects. From TINS he recovered ana
for tho pas. SIX mouths enjoyed very comIOrtaOie
heath while lis mini has retained all rs WOhted force
anu vigOr. Under the law OF 1869 he now rercs on f
pdyscl deserved Dy NnO has 90 falthIuiI served
country comparatively small sLlailc5 during tht
space VI uYe u6CAues.