The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1888-05-01

CHICAGO. April 30-The nomination OF Mel
vile ". Fuller. Of Chicago. as Chief justice of
the United States. Is regarded here with IN
parties Mr.. Fuller Is 10 every respect fitted to
eli the high offcs to which he has been nomi-
mated. he was born in Augusta. Me-, Feb. IL,
1888; bis father was Frederick A. Fuller; his
mother Catherine Martin, daughter of Chief
justice Nathan Weston. Melville W. was fitted
for college in Augusta and graduated as Bow
doin Ia the class Of 1888, his ciassmsts being Z.
J Phelps. our minister to England. Mr..
Fuller, after leaving college, began the study
Of the Law at Bangor. After attending lect-
urss In the law department. OF Harvard
University, he began 70 practice his pro-
fession 10 Augusta 10 1856. While waiting for
clients, he acted as editor OF the Age, and wen
his spurs in Journalism. Feeling that hia true
field OF work was the law, aud realizing that his
native city did noe afford that scope for effort OF
which ne stood Ia need. Mr.. Fuller came West
and settled in Chicago. Here he did not have TO
wait long for practice. His ability was speedily
recognized and propeay rewarded. For thirty
years he has enjoyed . lucrative practice. and
has won distinction among the foremost at this
bar In 1861 he was elected q member of the
State constitutional convention. In 1862, he
was chosen to the Legislators, aud aith ough q
Democrat, running each time Ia . strong Re-
publican district. he was victorious by large
msjoritiss He was . delegate to the Demo
cratic national conventions Of 1864. 1872.
1876. sad 1850. In 1860 he was select
cd by the citizens to deliver the
address Of welcome to Stephen A. Douglas. In
1853, Mr.. Fuller married Calsta o. Reynolds.
and after her decease. Mary Ellen. daughter OF
the distine uished banker, William F. CoolbauRh.
He has eight Daughters. In his practice in the
Supreme Court OF the United States Mr.. Fuller
has repeatedly come In contact. both as colleague
and As an opponent, with Messrs. Edmunds,
Thurman. Hoady. Ingersoll and other ad-
mittedly great lawyers. and has never failed to
hold his own against the greatest OF them He
Is familiar with the decisions of that court and
we'll informed on the history Of the country. and
especially on constitutional questions Not con-
tent with the vast amount OF reading and writ
ing which. OF necessity. results from tho active
practice of bis profession, Mr. Fuller does
immense amount OF miscellaneous reading
and considerable writing by way OF recreation.
He 10 90 omnivorous reader, aud resembles
Mscaulay In his liking for . good novel, as well
as in the swiftness with which he grasps the
contents Of q book and the tenacity with which
his memory clings 10 IL.
Mr. Fuller was dining with some friends al
the lroouois Club when found by an Associated
Press reporter. He had no iptimstion whatever
OF the nomination. aud was so overcome at the
announcement that for some moments he could
utter nothing more than an exclamation OF sur
prise He requested that he be not pressed fol
90 extended intersiew. saying that he WAS moi
In condition TO talk on the subject As the nom
nation had come unexpectedly. He. however
stated that he would not decline the nomination