San Antonio daily light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1886-1907, 1888-05-08

Illinois furnishes a successor to the
lamented .Chief-Justice Waite. in the
person Of Melville Weston Fuller, of
Chicago.
The new chief-justice could scarcely
have been anything but lawyer. His
father and his fathers brothers were
lawyers. One OF his grandfathers was q
lawyer and a Judge Of probate. His
mothers brother was lawyer. His
maternal grandfather was chief-justice
of the court Of common pleas Of the mid
die district of Maine; and after the sep
aration of Maine from Massachusetts
was appointed one of the Judges of the
supreme court of the state of Maine,
and be afterward became the chief-jus-
tice Of the court. Nature gave Melville
Weston Fuller good start on the road
to distinction In his profession.
The choice Of Mr.. Cleveland for the
highest place in his gift was born in
Augusta, Maine, on February II, 1898.
He received bis collegiate education at
BowdoiD, where he was o classmate of
Minister Phelps, and was graduated in
1858. MIR. Fuller pursued the study OF
law at Bangor, and also attended lee
lures at the law department of Harvard
University. In 1856 he began to prac-
tice in his native city, but devoted him
self chiefly to editorial duties. The
following year he was elected men,
Der Of the Augusta Common Council, and
was made president of that body. In
addition to this he was city solicitor,
but he resigned both offices, and went to
Chicago. He at once established a
lucrative practice, and made reputa-
ton as an able lawyer.
At an early period he took an active
part in politics. He worked hard In the
presidential campaign OF 1856, support
ing the democratic candidate. Five
years later he and "Long John" Went
worth were elected delegates to the
state constitutional convention, where
his legal abilities came into play, and he
rendered distinct service in the revision
Of tho constitution. In 1862 Mr.. Fuller
was sent to the legislature from usual
ly republican stronghold. He has con-
tinuod to DO actively engaged in poll
tics, and was delegate to the nation
al convention for several years, TAX
ing part In those held in 1864, 1872, 1876
and 1880. His record in the legislature
was one Of efficient service. 1t was
In 1863 that he was at Springfield, and
he was the recognized leader Of his par
ty during those stormy days. Among
he delivered, the one at Michigan City
in 1860, in welcoming Stephen A.
Douglas, is mentioned as especially
noteworthy for its eloquence. He it
was, Afro, who delivered the address
year later when that celebrated states
man died. LII the meantime he had been
rising in his profession. He was nota-
bly, connected with some celebrated
cases before the state supreme court
arising out OF the propagation Of the
legislature by Governor Yates in that
year. In 1869, when Bishop White
house attempted to discipline the now
Bishop Cheney before an ecclesiastical
tribunal for leaving "regenerase" out Of
the Office OF infant baptism, the offender
was advised and defended all through
the years OF tedious litigation by MIR.
Fuller, who exhibited q profound re-
search and knowledge Of ecclesiastical
law. The Reformed Episcopal church
Of Chicago, OF which Cheney is Bishop,
largely owes it's existence to the prose-
cution thus instituted. Mr.. Fuller has
often appeared before the supreme
court of the United States, and his rep
utation is that of learned and sound
lawyer and q man of very superior cul-
tivation and attachments.
He was married in Chicago In 1858,
but soon Lost his wife. In 1866 he was
married in second nuptisls. Mrs. Fuller
is o little woman, blonde, with synpa-
thetic face, winning manner and q
ready tongue. She has five daughters
and little SOD. The young ladies Of the
family are remarkable for their cultiva-
ton and originality. One Of them at
tracted great deal of attention two
seasons ago in Washington. There Ia no
doubt that they will be the bellies in the
society Of the capital.
In personal appearance Mr.. Fuller ia
unusually handsome; his hair and mus
taohe are silVery and his features clear
cut and intelligent. He is short in sta
ture and Of slight build. His member.
ship in the democratic party has been
aOnfiprnt1o WhSIa hOIAipn