Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1893-06-08
JUSTICE FIELD TO RETIRE.



Justlce Field May Retire and .Justicn tar
Ian said to bn nesirous Of Returning to
Active Practice The Formers Eyrntful
career.
Ba!hmors News Washington special
There g a rlmur apparently well an
thenticatrd L. he effect that Justices Field
ana Harlan Of the Supreme Court Of the
United states ARE going to resign Justice
fieid Is the senior member of the court,
both ~ years and in length Of service. He
was born November itli, 1876. and il there
fore nearly II years old. lie was appointed
70 tho bench by President Lincoln, in 1858
lie IS entitled TO retire with pay
one u the reports IN connection with
his retirement from the bench is TO the
effect that he Will resign absolutely for the
purpose OF becoming candidate for the
lnlted states Senate to succeed Senator
stanford. Senator Stunf0rd's term does
not expire until 1887, but he is in bad
health and may not care to serve his term
out. In that ease Judge Field might be
able tn return almost Immediately to the
Senate. It sud that should this he his
ambition he would have the support OF
Senator Stanford. which means the power
ful Southern Pacific railroad influence.
It would be an odd proceeding for a
Republican senator to resign to make u
place for & Democrat, but personal and
business considerations might prevail! TO
bring II about.
What seems more probable is that Judge
Field will simply take advantage Of the
law to go upon the retired list of the Su-
Premc Court, which now contains but one
name, that Of Judge William strong Of
Pennsylvania, who was an appulntec of
President Grant The law permits a Su,
preme Court justice to retire after attain.
lnS the age OF 10, provided he has been
upon the bench for ten years. Judge Field
can, of course, fulfill both conditions.
tits said that President Cleveland vented
him to retire during his former admins.
tration and that this inCensed Judge Field
so that he quarreled with the President,
refusing absolutely to give mp his place on
the bench either by retirement or resigna.
lion. 1t is alleged that this was the cause
of the GOODNESS which existed between the
Two during the latter part OF Mr.. Cleve.
lands first administration. During the
early part Of that administration Judge
Field practically controlled the political
appointments of the coast.
at one time during President Harrison
administration Judge Field wanted to re-
| tire and SO expressed himself. His party
| friends persuaded him to iorego that desire
| for the good of the party. should he re-
| tire now he would, of course, he succeeded
| by a Democrat.
Judge Field was one Of the California
Argonauts. His career has been an event,
full one, stormy at times though running
in peaceful channels tor many years
His first office was that of a!caldC
Of mining camp in the excit
| ing days of placer mining in the
Golden state. That office was one com
| bihing the functions Of mayor and justice
OF the peace. He was appointed to the su
| preme bench by President Lincoln rs Z
| war Democrat. and largely for the political
reason that it helped to save California t.
the Union, and largely for the judicial rea
son that he was versed in the civil law
which is to the Latin countries south of Us
what the common law is to us.
A gentleman who is close To Judge iGiec
told me that lie believed from remark.
| that the judge had made that he intended
TO take this step. This gentleman how
| ever, does not believe that the Judge la.
any intention of resigning to enter int,
| the race for the Senate, but that he intend!
To go upon the retired list. The laborS o
the Supreme Court are onerous ami Thu
| Judge according to this gentleman feel
| that he has earned the right to retire from
ease, a proposition that no one probably
| will dispute.
If he retrcs it is thought 10 be certat
/ that Secretary Gresham will succeed hin
on the bench, seat on the suprem
bench has long been an ambition of Judg
Gresham and this would give him an Oh
portunity to crafty it. III the event OF
vacancy III the office of Secretary of Stat
il is thought it would be filled by the an
pointment Of the Hon. EDMUND j. Phelps
eX-minister to England and at present on
Of the counsel Of this country in tn
Behrlng sea controversy.
No one seems to know any reason 70
the resignation Of Judge Harlan. He is /
years under the retiring age and woul
have to resign to get oil the beuch. Tn
only reason suggested is that he wants L
resume the practice of law, for although
90 years of age Judge Harlan is still robus
of body and vigorous of mind. He is
Republican and his resignation would Civ
another place TO the Democrats. Tina
change would give the Democrats four oil
of the nine justices of the court, Even
he wants to resign it is likely that he vii
be persuaded not to do so, Just ms ludg
Field was during President Harrison
term.
WAsnINGToN, June l.--Justice Field O
the supreme Court denies his intention /
retire. The justice said that while he ha
contemplated retirement, the retiremer
will not occur so long as he has strengtI
to stand up to the arduous labors impose
upon him.