The commonwealth. (Scotland Neck, N.C.) 1882-1884, 1883-08-30
DEATH OF JERE BLACK.

Judge Black was born n Somerset
county, Pa, on the 10th Of January,
1910. He was in the 73rd year of his
age at the time Of his death. II e was
admitted to the bar in 1889, and while
following his profession took an ac-
tive part in the stormy politics of
those days, when the name OF Jack
son was the rallying cry of Democrat
ic politicians. and Judge Black was
u Democrat throughout the whole of
his life of the sturdiest .Iefiersonian
and Jacksonian type. In 1912 he was
appointed presiding judge of the
court of the district in which he re
sided, and in 1852 was elected Judge
Of the Supreme Court Of his State
and chosen Chief Justice, being re
elected to the same higG position in
1874. On March ). 1857 the day after
Mr.. Buchanan took his seat as Presi-
dent. he appointed Judge Black At
torney- General Of the United States,
and three years later, during the
stormy period that preceded the out
break of our civil war, he held the
portfolio of Secretary Of State, con-
tinuing in that position until Presi-
dent Buchanan term of office expir-
ed, On the 4th OF March 1861.
Judge Black was ir 1873 elected Il
member Of the Pennsylvania consti-
itutional convention on the Democrat
ic ticket of delegates at large, and
lowered aloft il that distinguished
assemblage Of Pennsylvania's repre-
sentative men. His remarks on leg
islative bribery, the aggressive power
of corporations in collision with. po-
litical rings and kindred subjects
were in his characteristic vein, and
contributed much to the general tone
of the conventions conclusions.
Since then Judge black has not
held Office, but until recently was
more or less actively engaged in the
practice Of his profession. He argu-
ed many cases before the Supreme
Court of the United States, where his
legal ability Was held in very high
esteem. Although he did not during
this period of mis- life enter actively
into politics, yet as writer on cur
rent political topics, and especially
as a controversalists, he had no supe-
rior. His controversy with Senator
Henry Wilson concerning the patri-
| otism of Secretary Stanton and the
fidelity with which he supported as a
member of the cabinet the policy of
President Buchanan was master.
piece of mingled adrOitness and sar.
casm. His other controversies in
vindication Of the memory Of Mr..
Buchanan against ingersoll were
marked by the same vigorous style
and distinguished for the same abili
ty.
His great speech before the electo
raj commission was the boldest ano
most striking PHILIPPE of these latter
times. To the people OF the Uul1ite6
States there have been few person:
better known, either in person or by
name, than the late Judge Black, anC
more worthy of respect fo- sturdy
honesty, upriShtness and great abili
ty-
Judge Black was about five fee
eleven inches in height, with shaggy
gray eyebrows that in repose CAV;
his features sternjaess Of expression
which was quickly melted away il
the humorous twinkle Of his eyes O
as the animation of expression stol
over his face, which had never wor
a beard. He was of rudy, health,
complexion, strong bodily franz an
erect carriage.
He died at his residence near y 1ori
Pa., on Sunday morning. The I'LL nes
which eliminated in his death be ga
about week ago. Operations Il
: structure of the urinary organs w, u
performed on Monday, tuesday al
W Wednesday for the purpose of affor,
ing temporary relief, and the fina
operation on Thursday morning