The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1890-10-14

worm, an Oil lllenQ OF JuStlce MllleT WHO
had just arri;ed from Omaha, the family
servants and Chief Clerk McKenny of the
Supreme Court. Ston after death the face
of the Justice, which ha become somewhat
drawn duliug tie la't days of his illness,
changed to pr 'rfetty natural condition
and he looked as if in a quiet sleep.
NJ arrangements for the funeral will be
made until tomorrow, but it is certain that
his remains will be removed to his home in
keokuk, Iowa, where they will be inferred
in the family burying ground.
Tomorrow the Supreme Court will meet
as usual, and after the announcement of
the death of Associate Justice Miller by
Chief Justice Fuller tile court will adjourn.
Mrs. TOuzalin and Miss COIkhill. the
daughter aud granddaughter OF the j Us
tiee, will reach Washington tomorrow after
noon.
1t was on the 18th of September, 1877, that
the Constitution of the United States in its
original form was completed and signed by
the members of the convention. which had
been sitting from the 14th of May in the city
Of Philadelphia. On that day, 100 years
after, the nation and the States officially
and with fitting circumstance and Splendor.
CummerOTated an event of the first cODse-
ouence in modern history To Samuel f.
Miller. Senior Justice of the Supreme Court
OF the United States, fell the honor of max
ing the memorial Grafton on that great oc-
casiOn.
Samuel F. Miller was born in Richmond,
April ). 1916. His father emigrated from
L aiding. Pa, in 1872. His mother was
daughter of parents who removed to Ken
lucky from North Carolina before her
b!rth. He was an illustration and en-
DGdiment of the proyeTbial healthful-
ne.s and longevity of studious men who
have no bad habits. The first twelve years
Of his life were spent on farm, and there
he underwent all the bardsnips and toll Incl
dent to a life Of this kind. at an early age he
was sent to an academy in Richmond for a
year or two, and then, by mere accident,
lie got chance to study medicine. After
graduating in the Medical Department
OF the Pennsylvania when % years
Of age, and receiving his diploma, he
legan the practice of his profession. For
eight years he was a country practitioner,
and then he made up his mind to become
lawyer. He had wife and two children
before he decided to change his original
occupation. He was more successful in law
than in medicine, having judged wisely as to
his natural apiltudes Several years after
removed to keokuk, Iowa, where he
was an enthusiastic adnlirer of Henry
Clay, and considered lin and Alexander
Hamilton the TWO greatest statesmen Amer
lea has produced. In 1862, Miller was
nominated by President Lincoln to be a
Justice of the Supreme Court His nomina-
tion went over to the Senate at o'clock in
the evening before the final adjournment,
and he was instantly confirmed by un-
aulmous vote, without reference 10 a COM
miltee. Within a dozen of years after being
admitted to the bar, this comparatively young
lawyer had reached one OF the highest places
in lis profession. During his quarter OF
century upon the bench. Justice Miller
probably wrote more opinions on cOnstitu-
t!o1al questions than any Of his associates,
and throughout the country ne stood among
the very highest constitutional lawyers In
The first case TO come before the Supreme
Court, involving the thirteenth, fourteenth
and fifteenth amendments to the Constitu-
ton, he prepared the opinion OF The court,
and this was the very first authoritative eX-
position of the amendments.
Justice Miller devoted good deal OF time
to the demands of society. No dinner at
the White House, at the houses of Minis
tiers or Cabinet officers. was considered COM
pete without the popular Justice, and he
was regarded as one Of the best of after din
ner speakers.
Justice Miller had a ruddy, healthful
countenance, and was wonderfully well
preserved. His step was light and springy,
his eyesight only slightly impaired, and
every faculty was as alert as when he was
in the prime of life He was a fine
pedestrian, and on every fair day during
the .sittings Of the court he walked TO the
Capitol ana back, distance of nearly six
miles. The Justice was about feet or 10
inches in height and had strong form, face
ScleaHly shaYen and an immense head some
what bald on top but with fringe Of hair,
lDce dark brown in color, though of late
vars fast turning white. He worked very
ard, not the less thoroughly that his habits
study were not as systematic as they
might be- He was the sole remaining ap-
pOlntee of Lincoln on the bench. except
JuStice Field