Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1889-03-23
A VACANT SEAT
Oh TIE SUPREME BENCH OF TEE
UAITED STATES COURT.
Assoeiats-Justics stanley Matthews Dead
His Last Koments-Sketch
OF Bis Life.
mr ,oIsrr,ph 70 the pisps.ch.l

The last change IN bis CONDITION OccuIIeu
yesterday afternoon vt O'Clock. Ia tne
morning he had been feeling quite comiorta-
bic and cheerful. At that hour, however,
intense pain. which marked periods OF de-
cline, REQUIRED and never left bin until
death brought relief. DR.. william W. John
ston WAS summoned and finding his patient
suffering 80 intensely, administered oplates.
which toward morning induced state Of
scm.c0nsciousness, In which he rensineu
until the end. Occasionally be would par
italy revive and recognize the loved ones
near him by glance or pressure OF the
hand, but a relapse soon followed. For
number OF hours previous to death he was
practically unconscious. In bis last hours
the dying Justice was surrounded by the
members OF bis family, who have been with
him throughout bis illness-Mrs. Matthews,
his daughters, Miss Matthews and Miss Eva
Matthews, and his son, Paul Matthews, and
Nj. {. Il. Matthews, bis brother, OF Cincin-
natl, who came 10 Washington week or
ten DAYS ago. Or. Johnston and faith
ful cOlored servant, who only lew
days ago announced 10 callers with great
satisfaction that "Jusnce Matthews is ever
20 much better" were also present. The
chamber IN which Justice Matthews breathed
his last, and which has been his world since
last September, ~ on the east side OF the
second story OF The elegant mansion (occu-
pied by him for several years on the corner
" Connecticut avenue aud y street. The
fighiie.drswn blinds along the entire avenue
front this morning afforded the first indica-
ton 10 negbbors and passeTs~by that VI was
not a. usual within. The reports Of Justice
Mstihewss condition during the past week
had been Of such a cheering nature that ap-
nFehensiOn was In a great measure subdued,
and the news Of his death came with shock
even TO many who had been prepared Tor The
announcement at any time during the Wln-
ter. The immediate cause OF death was ex-
haustiOn OF the heart aud congestion OF The
kidneys. The Justice WAS ever cheerful
and hopeful patient and naturally the menu
bers Of his family endeavOred to be as cheer
iul and hopeful as be, and IL was owing 10
his own belief that the favorable re-
ports OF the past week were given
TO those who inquired alter bic health.
ONLY Yesterday morning Justice Matthews
was discussing with his family various plans
for the future when he should be able, as IN
The past. to take part in their execution.
.'Bui at no time since his return 10 Washing
TOM said one Of the family this morning,
"haye we really felt that there was hope Of
his recovery"
The eDeagementof Miss Matthews and Mr..
Justice Gray was announced this week and
the marriage was expected 70 take pace
shortly.
ITS CAREER
Hon. Stanley Matthew'S was born IN Gin
clnnatl, Ohio. July u. 1924. lie was gTadu-
ated al kengOn College IN 1870. studied law
and was admitted TO the bar, settling Ia
MauIy county, Tenn. lie shortly afterwsrd
returned 10 Cincinnati, early engaged IN
anttslsvery movements. and in 1856 40 was
an assistant editor OF the Cincinnati Herald,
the first daily anti.savery news paper IN
that city. lie became Judge OF the Court Of
Common Pleas OF Hanover county In 1871.
was state senator iD 1866, and lS5S'Gl was
United States Attorney for the Southern dis
trict of Ohio. IN March Of the lasi-named
wear he was commissioned lleuieuant-coO-
mel OF the Twenty-third Ohio regiment, aud
served in west Virginia. participating In
The battles OF Rich Mountain and Carnfox
Ferry. In October, 1851. he became colonel
OF the Fiitv.Seventh Ohio regiment, and IN
that capacity commanded brigade IN the
Army Of the Cumherland, and was engaged
at Dobb's Ferry, Murireesboro', Chickamau-
"a, and Lookout Mountain. He resigned
from the army in 1859 to become Judge OF
the Superior Court of Cincinnati, and was
presidential elector on the Lincoln and John
son ticket in 1864, aud on the Grant and Col
fax ticket in 1868. in 1854 he was
delegate from the Presbytery OF Gin
ciuuali TO the General Assembly OF the
Presbyterian Church in Newark. \. j., and
as one OF the committee on bills nnd over
lures reported the resolutions that were
adopted 10y the assembly on the subject OF
slavery. He vas defeated a. Republican
candidate for Congress in 1876, and IN the
next year was one OF the counsel before the
Electoral Commission, opening the argument
in behalf OF the Republican electors 10 the
Florida case and making the principal areu-
nent IN the Oregon case. In March, 1874 he
was elected United States senator 10 place Of
John sherman, who bad resigned. In 1881
he was appointed an Associate Justice OF the
United states supreme Court
SUPREME COURT.
In the United states supreme Court imme-
diately upon assembling the CHIEF Justice
announced the death Of Justice Matthews
and a. a mark Of respect 10 his memory the
court adjourned until Tuesday next.
TIE SENATE ADJoURNs THROUGH RESPECT TO |
HIS MEMORY.
The Chaplain in bis opening prayer
made A feeling reference 10 the death OF jus
tice Matthews. The Nice.President laid
before the Senate the following note from the
Chief Justice:
SUPREME COURT UNlTED STATES,
March -, 1859.
TO the senate:
IL becomes my melancholy duty 10 inform
the Senate oi the death Of Mr.. Justice Mat
thews in this city at 10 O'Clock this morn
ing. II is expected that The funeral VIII
take place Monday the 2jth instant at
O'Clock T.. NJ, but further notice OF time
and place will be given.
II. W. FULLER, Chief Justice.
Mr.. Hoqr: 1 move that out OF respect TO
the memory OF the eminent magistrate who
after judicial service 70 faithful and so
famous has gone to his rest the Senate do
now adjourn.
The motion was agreed TO, and the Senate.
at five minutes past /, adjourned lii
tomorrow.
EFFECT UPoN THE SESSION.
The probable elect OF the death OF Justice
Matthews upon the length OF the special ses-
zion of the Senate was discussed at the Capt.
TO, to-day. Mr.. Shermans announcement
Yesterday that the President would be en-
abled 10 let the senators 90 home next week
was received with great satisfaction by the
senator's who are DESTROYS u leaving wash
jngton, and it seemed that the hnal adjourn
ment could be had next Thursday or Fri
day. But the sad event OF to-day may cause
a pOstponement.
said one senator to-day: Z" do not see
how we can get away next week. The Hing
OF this vacancy on the supreme Bench Is an
important matter and the President Will want
time 10 consider IL carefully
Cont it go over until the fall?" was
asked. "The court has been without the
presence OF Justice Matthews for almost
year aud II will shortly adjourn"
"They adjourn" responded the Senator.
"to 20 on their circuits; and II is there that
the services OF associate justices are in de
mand for the expedition OF business"
Succession TO the vacancy IS already dis
cussed, there being two programmes laid
out by those who talk. one Is that Judge
Gresham, now Judge OF the circuit COM
prising the Ststes OF Wisconsin, Illinois,
sRd Indiana, Will be nominated for Asso-
clate Justice. lie would in turn be succeeded
by Judge W. A. Woods, leaving vacancy
10 be flled in the District OF Indiana.
The other programme includes trans
fers OF Attorney General Miller to the
supreme Bench. and OF Secretary Noble TO
the head Of the Department OF Justice, and