Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1888-05-01
CHIEF JUDGE FULLER.
THE PRESIDENTS CHOICE FOR THE HEAD
0PTHR JUDICIARY.
Worthy Successor 10 the Position Of Marshall
jay and Waite-A Brilliant Record as
Lawysr-Higa Praise Of The
New JRStcs.


sent to the Snate this afternoon the nom
ination of Melville W. Fuller. of Illinois,
to be Chief Justice Of the United states.
Melville ". Fuller has for many years
been at the he'd of the Illinois bar. He
was admitted and prscticed during the
days Of Judge Douglass, and took active
part in all the Sste contests with Lyman
Trumball and nen of that stamp. His
father was one If the original settlers Of
Chicago, and lehimmeDse landed property
to his son.
The nominatio is regarded as CON-
promise betweenoonflicting interests, in
which the Southen Senators were led by
lsham G. Harris, Senator from Tennessee,
and backed by Atsrney General Garland
This combination vas sufficiently power
full to defeat the appointment of Phelps.
CHICAGO, April S.-The nomination of
Melville W, Fullerpf Chicago, as Chief
Justice of the Unih States, is regarded
here with unbounds,sstisfaction by the
leading men of both lrties. Mr.. Fuller is
in every respect fittedO fill the high office
to which he has been ominated.
Melville Weston Fuer was born in Au-
gusta, Maine, on Febrry II, 1888. His
father was Frederick AFuller; his moth
er, Catharine Martin, aughter of Chief
Justice Nathan W>ston. Melville W. fitted
for College in Augustand graduated at
Bowdoin in the class ! 1853, his class
mate being f. J. Phelp our minister to
England. Mr. Fuller, ter leaving col
LEI Q, Began the study ofIe law at Ban
gor. Alter attending leeres in the law
department Of Harvard Uversity, he be-
gan the practice of his plession in Au-
gusta in 1856. While wang for clients
he acted as editor of the 4e and won his
spurs in journalism. Feelg that his true
field of work was the law, nd realizing
that his native city did n afford that
scope for effort which he std in need OF,
MR. EULLUR CAME EST
and selected Chicago. Ha he did not
have TO wait long for practice His ability
was speedily recognized and,operly re-
warded. For thirty years he ,s enjoyed |
= lucrative practice and has N distinc.
tion among the foremost ut u bar. In
1851 he was elected member the State
Constitutional Convention. 1852 he
was chosen to the Legislator and, al
though n Democrat, running ea time in
strong Republican district, hSas vie
torious by a large majority. q was
delegate 10 the Democratic Nanal Con-
ventions of 1864, 1872, 1876 ans In
1860 he was selected by the CitIs to de-
liver the address of welcome stephen
A. Douglass. In 1858 MIR. Fdlln2rried
Calista o. Reynolds, and after hdecease
Mary Ellen, daughter of the distuished
banker, VIM. E Coolbaugh. Hes eight
daughters.
In his practices in the Supremeurt of
the United States Mr.. Fuller has tated-
ly come in contact, both Rs o cOllese aud
opponeat with Messrs. EdmundGhur-
man, Hoadly, IngersOll and other aitted
noted lawyers and has never failed hold
his own against the greatest OF tha He
is familiar with the decisions Of tbscurt
and well informed on the history our
country and especially on constitnal
questions. Not content with tIVast
amount Of reading and writing Wa of
necessity results from the active pice
OF his profession, Mr.. Fuller does I'M
mense amount of miscellaneous ring
and considerable writing by way OF re-
tion. He is |,
AN OMNIvEROUS READER, ;
resembles Macaulay in his liking for a d
novel, as well as in the swiftness a :
which he grasps the contents of book
the tenacity with which his memory cl i,
to it. Mr. Fuller was dining with 8
friends at the Iroquois Club, when TO,
by an associated press reporter. He y
no intimation whatever of the nominate
and was so overcome by the,announcemt
that for some moments he could uti ,,
nothing more than an exclamation of so
prise. He requested that he be not press'
for an extended interview, ssying he w
not in condition to talk on the subject,
the nomination had come so unexpectedly J
He, however, stated that he would not d'
cline the nomination.