The morning call., 1894-07-24
FIELD ON HOME.
The Great Justice Stays
With the Coast.
he EmpressiveIy Thanks the Local
Judiciary and Bar for Express
siOns of Kindness.

The following circular letter has been
received from Supreme Justice Stephen j.
Field by the judiciary of the United States
Circuit courts for the Ninth Circuit and
the judiciary and bar of the California Su-
pTeme Court:
WASHINGTON, D. c., June %, 1894.
To the Judges of the Circuit Court of the
United States for the Ninth Circuit; 10 The
District Judges of the United States for the
districts within the Ninth Circuit; TO the JUS
tees of the Supreme Court OF California, and
TO the members OF The bar Of the Supreme Court
of acknowledgements JUDGES AND GEN
TLEMEN: Your letter on the subject OF pos
sible acceptance by ME of a transfer TO the
New York circuit in the reassgnment OF
Judges among the several circuits was so filled
TO OYerhowng with earnest expressions OF
personal kindness and was so eXtraYagant IN
its estimate OF my public services that cannot
find the words which would fifty express he
feelings Ii inspired. II recalled wildly TO my
mind the early and formative period OF the
history OF our beloved State when IL was my
great privilege to aid as a legislator ia tie
shaping Of her laws at the first session after
her admission into the Union; and the years a
little later on, when, as member of her nigh
est court, ook an active part IN applying The
principles OF law 10 new and novel conditions
in decisions Of vital importance to the future
Of her people find much satisfaction IN the
reflection that most Of the work l then did has
stood the test OF lime and his contributed
somewhat 10 tie stability and prosperity of The
state.
Since then l have served thlrty-one years on
the Supreme bench OF the nation, during all
which time have presided in The Ninth Circuit
l am gratiled at your assurances that in this
broader field | have not disappointed the ex.
pectatlons of my California friends.
Tbs tender TO me by the court of an assign
ment 10 the New York circuit, accompanied as
il was by urgent solicitations from prominent
and representative members of The New York
bar 10 accept II, made a strong impression on
me, but not strong enough 10 break the cher
ished tics which bind me 10 California, and
which have been the growth of forty-fVe years.
II was an alluTing suggestion-that / be the
presiding Justice 10 the circuit composed OF my
native State OF Connecticut and OF New York,
where l studied and first practiced my profess
sion; and Its proximity TO Washington offered
me relief from the long journey between Call
fOrnia and Washington, which, in going both
ways, covers 5000 miles.
But 1t required no effort on my part TO de-
cline the preferred exchange; on The contrary,
its acc ptance would nave required a sacrifice
OF my feelings which found l could not ey
seriously contemplate. 1 shall remain in the
Pacific Coast circuit My home Will continue
to be IN California. where 1t will be a pleasure
10 pass as much of my time as my Washington
duties and the state Of my health Will permit.
In the long array OF goOdly names appended
10 the letter before me- both OF Judges and
members of the BARI miss, with feeling of
sadness, those OF some of my Oldest and most
cherished friends; but l find others of a new
generation, who have already shown them
selves worthy to succeed them. and who will
maintain The high reputation the judiciary and
the bar Of our State have always enjoyed.
Be assured, gentlemen, that while life lasts,
among lis chief pleasures VIII be the knowl-
edge your letter gives me that have not only
your good opinion, but your friendship. and
the certainty OF kindly welcome when cir.
cumstances allow US TO meet.
| extend To you. one and all, a hearty return
for all that your letter expresses and implies
OF KIND consideration and sincere regard. l
sincerely YOURS. STEPHEN j. FIELD.