Waterbury evening Democrat. [volume] (Waterbury, Conn.) 1887-1895, 1892-01-23
THE LATE JUsTIc. esA0LEY.
Funeral at Newark, n. j., Monday--SPecu-
IatiOn as to His Successor.


WASHINGTON, Jan. 23.-The funeral of
the late Justice Joseph P. Bradley will
take place at Newark, N. j., where he
practiced law for years, Monday after
noon. The remains will be taken there
Monday morning. The Justices of the
Supreme Court and many distinguished
Government officers will attend.
Although Justice Bradley had been
ailing for long time, it was only about
a week ago that his health became such
as to alarm his family and friends. The
cold damp weather, together with his 70
years, proved too great a strain for his
system to overcome.
Justice Bradley was a self-made man,
and was, moreover, the richest man on
the bench. His fortune is estimated at
800, 900, and he included among his pos
sessions the largest private law and mis-
cellaneous library in Washington.
He was the eldest of the eleven sons of
poor farmer in Berne, N. Y, and re-
ceived with his fathers assistance, only
a common school education. He resolved
to get a better knowledge of affairs, and
by teaching school and doing other work
he was enabled to graduate from Rut-
gers College in the same class with ex
Secretary of State Frelinghuysen.
In the practice of law at Newark, N.
j., he made a great reputation as we'll as
a considerable fortune as raiload law
yer.
For many years he was a director and
principal counselor of the New Jersey,
Philadelphia and Trenton, and of the
Camden and Amboy railroad companies.
He was the actuary of the Mutual Bene-
fit Insurance company of Newark from
1857 to 1868, and from 1865 to 1869 he
was the president of the New Jersey
Mutual Life Insurance company.
In the field of literary effort Judge
Bradley also distinguished himself. In
1851 he delivered the annual address be-
fore the Historical Society of New Jersey,
taking for his subject "The Perils
Through Which the Federal Constitution
Has Passed, and Which Still Threaten
It" In 1865 he delivered a widely quoted
address on the life and character of Hon.
William L. Dayton, and in June, 1870,
he delivered the Centennial address at
Rutgers College. Lafayette College, in
1859, conferred upon him the degree of
LID.
1t was in March. 1870, that he was ap-
pointed by President Grant Justice of
the Supreme Court of the United States.
He was designated Circuit Justice for the
large Southern circuit. On the resigna-
tion of Justice Strong he was assigned
to the Third Circuit, embracing the
States of Pennsylvania, Delaware and
New Jersey,
Probably Justice BradIey's most nota-
BILE act was deciding the memorable
Presidential contest of 1876, when the
question was submitted to a commission
of fifteen, consisting of five Senators,
five Representatives and five Associate
Justices. OF the latter Justice Bradley
was one. Without the latter's vote the
commission was tied on HAYES and Til
den, and he gave the casting vote for
Hayes.
In early life he was Wing, and later
became Republican nominee for Con
gress in the Sixth New Jersey District,
but was defeated. He had two sons and
two daughters.
Speculations as to his successor are al
ready INDUCED in by politicians In
many quarters an impression prevails
that Attorney General Miller will be ST.
leated to fill the vacancy.