The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1895-08-20
DEATH OF JUSTICE STRONG.
A DISTINGUISHED JUDGE, LAwYEK
AND CITIZEN PASSES AWAY.

sketch of the Life and Valuable
Public Services of the Deceased.
Important Cases in Which Justice
strong Rendered the Opinion Of
the supreme COurt-His ReDutatIom
for Judicial Learning Extended
Far and Wide at an Early Period
of His Career.
Washington, Aug. 19-Associate Justics
Strong (retireO of the supreme court OF
the United States died at Lake Minne-
wasla, N. Y. to-day The direct causs
Of his death was paralysis. but he has
been much Of an invalid during many
years.
William Strong. son Of the Rev. Will
liam Lighthouse Strong, was born in
Somers, Tolland county. Connecticut, May.
6, lsOS. He was educated at the Plainheld
Academy and Yale College, graduating
at age Of % 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 profession. In 1si7. having taken an
active interest In politics. he was elected
to represent the district in congress. and
served two terms. He then returned to
the practice of his profession. and in 1861
was elected a Judge OF the supreme court
of the state of Pennsylvania for terms
Of fifteen years. on Oct. I, 1865, he re-
signed that position and resumed his prac>
tice at the bar.
While a member of the supreme court
OF the state the deceased Justice won a.
reputation for judicial learning that ex-
Had 20 - ts
1870. President Grant trasmtted his mama
with that of the late Justice Bradley to
the Senate for confirmation as associates
justices of the supreme court of the United
states, there was general feeling or sat-
isfaction among the members of his pro-
fesslon
on jan Is, 1872, Mr.. Justice Strong an@
nounced the decision OF the court afiirm-
ing the constltutionality of the legal ten-
der acts. Justice Bradley concurring In a
lengthy opinion.
But the legal tender question was not
the only one Of Importance growing out
of the war In the settlement of which
Mr.. Justice Strong took a prominent part.
The constitutional amendments intended
to crystalize and preserve the results of
the war and the congressional legislation
necessary TO give these constitutional pro-
visions force and effect were before the
court. In Bigelow VS.. Forest, Mr. Justice
that under the conhscation act of July
II. 1862. decree and sale only established
a confiscation during the life of the one for
whose offense the land was condemned and
sold.
In Tennessee VS.. Davis he delivered the
opinion OF the court establishing the prin-
ciple that the judicial power OF the Unl-
ted States embraced alike civil and crimi-
nal cases arising under the constitution
and the laws OF the United States and that
their removal from a state to a federal
court was no invasion Of state privileges.
In Virginia vs.. Rives, he also prepared
the opinion Of the court holding that the
effect Of the constitution. which authoriz-
ed the enactment of the statutes for the
removal into the federal court of civil suits
or prosecutions against any person who
was denied or who could not enforce in
state courts any rights secured to him and
by any law providing for the equal rights
OF citizens of the United States was to
place the colored race, In respect Of civil
rights upon a level with the whites.
In ex parte Virginia, Judge Strong an
nouneed the decision OF the court thai
whoever, by virtue Of public position under
a state government, deprived another of
life, liberty or property without due pro-
cess of law, or denied or took away th0
equal protection of the laws, violated the
constitutional inhibition; that his act. as
such officer was the act OF the state: that
provisions by legislation and that such Leg
isiation must act. not upon the state, but
upon the persons who are agents of tha
state.
Justice Strong was designated by th0
electoral commission act of 1877 as one or
the judicial members of the famous tri~
partite tribunal, which passed upon the
contested presidential election of 1876. In
1880, Mr., Justice Strong, having reached
the age at which, under the constitutions
retirement from the bench after ten years
Of service thereon Is permitted, retireds
and has since then made his home in this
city
Justice Strong was prominent resident
OF Washington, taking an active interest in
benevolent and religious projects. He was
a ruling elder in the Church of the CO.
venant. and d leading officer in the Amer
lean Bible Society, and in the American
Tract Society," usually presiding over
their annual gatherings. When Gen.
Booth, commander-in-chief Of the
Salvation Army, visited Washington
in 1894, he was presented to the vast
audience which gathered to greet him
in convention hall by Mr.. Justice Strong.
In these lines he viii be sadly missed.
In 1886 Justice Strong married Priscilla
Lee at Easton, Pa, by whom he had a
family OF one son and several daughters.
The son died in 1892; two of the daughters
are married and reside in Pennsylvania
two unmarried daughters have been their
fathers intimate companions since tbs
death Of their mother some years ago.