The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-07-08
PASSED TO HIS REWARD.
Samuel Blatchford, Justice Of the
United States Supreme Court. Dead.
DEATH OCCURRED LAST EVENING.
His Early Life, W here He Was Educated.
when He Entered the Bar, His Sue
cessful Career. His Appoi n,ment TO the
Supreme Bench.

Justice Blatchford Of the United States
Supreme court died at Newport last
evening at 7:20 o'clock after lingering
illness.
Samuel Batchford was born In New
York city. March o. 1890. His father was
Richard Milford Blatchford, a native OF
Connecticut, a graduate OF Union college
and successful barrister. His grand
father, Samuel Blatchford. was an Eng
lsh dissenting minister who came to
America in 1905.
His Early Education.
Mr.. Blatchford began his education at
n boarding school at Plttsfield, Mass,
whence he went to pursue higher studies
at the school of William Forrest, a cele-
brated instructor of New York city.
Later he entered the grammar school OF
Columbia college, then under the super
inteudence of Charles Anthon. LII d.. u
famous educator. He entered Columbia
later graduated with high honors. I'm
niediately upon leaving college he be-
came private secretary TO William II.
Seward. then governor OF New York, and
retained the position until 1871, when he
resigned 60 become military secretary on
the staff OF the governor.
Admitted TO the Bar.
The following year he was admitted to
the bar and at once began the practice
of his profession in the city of New York
in connection with his father and bis
uncle, 4 Fl. Blatchford. In November,
1S45, he severed his connection with the
firm and removed to Auburn 10 become
the law partner of Governor Seward and
Christopher Morgan. In 1854 he returned
to New York city and formed co.part-
nership with Clarence A. Seward and
Burr w. Griswold.
Appointed U. 9. District Judge.
May 3. 1867. he was appointed to sue
ceed Samuel II. Belts to the United
States district Judgeship. for the SOUTH
ern district OF New York. His opinions
rendered while holding this position are
reported In the first nine volumes OF
Benedict's "District Court Reports" and
his opinions in the Circuit court are re-
ported in voluu es to IA, Of Blatch ford's
Circuit Court Reports"
Becomes Circuit Judge.
March 4, 1873. he was appointed circuit
court judge of the second judicial circuit
In place of Alexander S. johnson, de-
CEASED, aud his opinions since March, 1882,
In the circuit c urt are reported in vol
umes IA to "a of Blatchford's Circuit
Court Reports" and In the Federal
Reporter" In 1867 the degree of LID; /;
was confer ed upon him by Columbia
college and he was chosena trustee of the
institution. which position he retained up
to the time of his death. In 1859 he began
the publication of his series of reports Of
the circuit court of the United States
within the second circuit and published
twenty-five volumes Of the reports.
His Appointment to the Supreme Bench.
Upon the resignation of Mr.. Justice
Hunt of New York, Mr.. Blatchford was
commissioned as associate justice by
President Arthur. March 22. 1882.
His characteristics.
As an admiralty judge Justice Blatch-
ford ranked among the foremost OF the
land, having considered and determined
questions as to the rules Of navigation on
high seas, as to excessive speed Of
steamers on the high seas In fogs,
as to whether damage to a cargo
by rats is peril of the sea,
as to process of foreign attachment in
admiralty, as to Reinsurance OF q char
ter party and other important maritime
questions. AS a patent lawyer he was
clear headed and sensible. and determ-
ined number of very important ques-
tions He also adjudicated numerous
questions in bankruptcy and Of copy
right and libel. He was man of pro-
found erudition and ability. He Rrasped
complex problems with marvellous
uuickness. His appointment met with
hearty approval from all political par
ties. His judicial career was marked by
extreme fidelity to the cause Of justice
and incorruptible honesty and honor
His style was clear but lacked compress