The weekly Union times. [volume] (Union C.H., South Carolina) 1871-1894, 1891-01-02
A Shadow On the State.
CHIEF JUSTICE SIMPSON Is DEAD.


Columbia, Dec. 26.-Chef Justice w. ID
Simpson died OF heart disease at O'CLOCK
this morning. He had been in faii isg healtl
for some months, but not n thought o.
approaching death was entertained. Hs
went to bed Wednesday morning and yester.
day afternoon began to sipk. His death was
peaceful and CO M
Law range is wrapped in gloom, and the
| members of the bar unite i'm saying one oi
the noblest and purest men in the State is
dead.
The State flag is at half mast and the court
house il draped in heavy mourn ng.
| The remains were taken TO Lsurens this
evening accompanied by numerous honorary
and active Pallbcarcrs and members OF the
| bar.
Chief Sus,ics Simpson WAS bern in Lauren,
| October 27tb, 1928. Ills abilities in priva'e
| life were just beginning TO DO recognized
| when the war came on and he took up arr ,
| to defend his country. He nude brave
| and courageous soldier and soon rose to a
lieutenant. colope,cy. He was called from
| the fed TO represent the State in the Con-
fedcrate Congress. There he served well
and his bril- iant mcntal attainments were
soon recognized. At the close Of the war he
recognized the practice of law, having grad
unted at Harvard and Cambridge. Before
islature.
During the reconstruction period in 1868,
he WAS elected to the Federal Congress over
Andrew Wallace, but was dcbarred from
taking the seat on account of the l4th amcud-
ment.
Judge Simpson $ next entry into The roliti
cal field was in 1876, when he was elected
Lieutenant Governor on the Hampton tickc'.
When Hampton went to the United States
Senate, Simpson became Governor, making
'nc If the most popular the State ever had.
While Governor be was elected Chief Justice
of the Supreme Count in 1850, 10 succeed
willard.
After considerable controversy i'll which
Willard refused to give up claiming that he
hal bctn appointed by the Governor to fill
the unexpircd term of Justice Moses, Simp-
son took the bench. His career rs Chief
Justice is too we'll known 20 need comment
here. Never has n cOmpl,irt been made
against him. lie was fearless and couscien-
tious in the dis charge Of duty.
Justice Simyson'& second torn would have
expired in the Summer of 1892, The constitu-
ton gives the Governor the power to appoint
= successor when death is within one year
Of the expiration of the term. In this case
his successor will have to be elected by the
General Assembly. As rhc Supreme Court
convenes in January and rs it is not pract'
cable for court to be held with two justices
the indications are that the Legislature will
he convened.
Those prominently mentioned as Justice
Simpsons successor are Judge Wallace,
Associate Justice McGowan, Attorney Gen
eral Pope Senator ii. A. Mcerzc and Col.
Rohert Aldrich.
TIE News IL LAuRENS.-Thc news OF the
| sud en- death Of Chief Justice Simpson WAS
| received here at his old home this morning
| aud fills all hearts with sorrow. Al meet
ing Of citizens, c,nmiltces were appointed
to act rs escorts Of honor AMI meet the re-
mains which will reach here this evening
| from Columb;a-Tsi. to TfCCHrjNc News.