Birmingham age-herald., 1895-08-20
EX--JUST|CE STRONG DEAD That Stroke of Paralysis Was
 the Direct Cause. HAD BEEN AILING FOR YEARS He Represented a Pennsylvania District In
 Congress for Two Terms
ON SUPREME BENCH OF PENNSYLVANIA
mine ot the Highest Court in 1870. Important Decisions Which
 He Handed Down.

of the United States died at Lake Mnne- waska, N. r., today The direct cause of his Geath was paralysis, but he has been much ailing for many years.
 William Strong, son of the Rev Light house Strong, was born in Somers, Tol- land county, Conn.,, May 6, 1908 He was educated at the Plainfield academy and Yale college, graduating at the age of 20 years. After a brief career as school teacher, he returned to New Haven and graduated from the law school Of Yale Removing thence to Philadelphia he was admitted to the bar in 1882. The young lawyer chose Reading, Pa, for his home and entered upon the practice of his pro fesson.
 In 1847, having taken an active interest he was elected to represent the district in congress, and served two terms. He then returned to the practice of his pro fession, and then in 1857 was elected a judge of the supreme court of the state ol Pennsylvania for a term of fifteen years On October l. 1868, he resigned that posi- tion and resumed his practice at the par.
 While member of the supreme court of the state the deceased justice won reputation for judicial learning that eK- tended far beyond it's limits and when m 1870 President Grant transmitted hls name with that of the late Justice Brad ley to the senate for confirmation as as sociate justices of the supreme court oI the United States there was very gen eral feeling of satisfaction among the members of his profession. On the l3th of January, 1872 Mir. Justice Strong an- nounced the decision of the court affirm ing the constitutionality of the legal tender acts, and Justice Bradley con cured in a lengthy opinion but the legal tender question was not the only one or importance growing out ol the war III the settlement of which MT. Strong took a prominent Iart. The constitutional amendments intended to crystalze and preserve the results of the war and the congressional legislation necessary 10 give these forces effect were before the courts In Bigelow vs Forest MT Justice Strong prepared the decision announcing that under the confiscation act of July IF, 1862, decree and sale only establish ed confiscation during the life of one for whose offense the land was condemned and sold
 In Tennessee vs. Davis, he delivered the opinion of the court establishing the principle that the judicial power Of the United States embraced alike CIVIL anu criminal cases, arising under the consti- tuition and the laws of the United States, and that their removal from state to a federal cour. was no invasion of state domain or power.
 In Virginia vs. Rives he also prepared an opinion of the court holding that the effect of the constitution which author iZcd the enactment of the statutes TOT the removal into the federal court Of civil suits or prosecutions against any person who was denied or could not en- force in state courts any rights secured 10 him by any law providing for the equal rights of citizens of the United States was to place the colored race Tn respect of civil rights upon level with the whites.
 In cx parte Virginia Judge Strong an nounced the decision of the court that whoever by virtue of public position un- der a state government deprived another of life, liberty or property without que process of law, or denied or took away the equal protection of laws Violated the constitutional inhibition; that his act as such officer was the act of the state; that power was given to congress to en- force it's provisions by appropriate leg isIation. and that such legislation must act not upon the abstract thing called the state. but upon the persons who are agents of the state.
 Justice Strong was designated by the electoral commission act of 1877 as one of. the judicial members of the famous trT- partitc tribunal which passed upon the contested presidential election of 1876. In 1SS0 MT. Justice Strong, having reached the age at which under the constitution retirement from the bench after ten years of service thereon is permitted, retired and had since made his home in this city. Justice Strong was a prominent resident of Washington, taking an active inter- est in benevolent and religious projects.
 He was a ruling elder in the Church of the Covenant and q leading officer in the American Bible society and in the Amer ican Tract society, usually presiding over their annual gatherings When Gen eral Booth, commander of the Salvation Army. visited Washington in 1894 he was presented to the vast audience which greeted him in convention hall by MT. Justice Strong In these lines he will be sadly missed.
 In 1886 Justice Strong married Priscilla Lee a Eaton, Pa, by whom he had a family of one son and several daughters The so died in 1892. Two of the daugh- ters are married and reside in Pennsyl- vana. Two unmarried daughters have been their fathers intimate compa nions since the death of their mother some years ago.