The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1895-09-05

Doorkeeper under either Democratic or Re-
publican regime. In the next Congress the
Republican majority from the Northern States
is so overwhelming that the South needn't
look TO get anything except few minor places.
The Doorkeepership will be apt 10 20 10 New
York, the Clerkship to Pennsylvania, while
the West will name the Sergeant-at-Arms and
the Postmaster. 1t may be that Gen. Hender-
sen, of Illinois, will get the Clerkship Any
way, the South isn't slated for any of the big
places, and the hungry seeker after Office from
Dixie will be in luck to get a job as messen.
ger or folder of books"
Justice Strong lived longer after leaving the
bench than any of recent times. The
rule is, according TO Chief Justice Fuller, that
when a man resigns or retires from our bench he
lives but a short time. 1t has becomes one of
the traditions of the body that if the Justices
want to live to green old age they should
stay in the harness. Justice Nelson retired in
1872 and died the next year. Justice Swayne
retired in 1881, and died three years later.
David Davis lived only seven or eight years
after leaving the bench. Justice Hunt lived
but four years after retiring. While it is true
that years ago some men lived a long time
after giving up their seats on the bench, the
modern instances point in the other direction.
After man has passed his earlier years amid
the smoke and fire of courtroom battles, and
the after half of his life in the quiet but in
tense application Of the bench. il is believed to
be dangerous TO cut off all activity and retire
TO a life of idlcness. The dry rot of aimless-
ness eats out existence. Probably il is as true
Of the Supreme Court as of other fields of
activity in this world, that it is work which
gives long life. Justice strongs experience is
an exception. he left the bench in $780, and
until recently had been healthy and happy.
When Judge Joseph Holt died he seemed to
have left no viii. But suddenly last week an
alleged one turned up at the desk of Col.
Wright, Register of Wills. The envelope which
contained the will was directed in Roman
letters printed with pen, as if TO conceal the
handwriting Of the sender. 1t was mailed at
Station l. one of the sub-stations in the eastern
part Of the city, near the Maynard. In it all
Wv P'NpSlss Va hhN idht Suhkc 10 "
Lizzie Hynes cousin OF my first wife, aud TO
Josephine Holt Throck morton, who is my God
child, and TO their heirs and assigns forever 1
DO hereby direct that at my death all my prop
erty be divided equally between them" The
witnesses to the will are Ellen b. E. Sherman.
U. S. Grant and w. 7. Sherman. Register
Wright had copy of the paper made and
placed the original on his Gle. Ii is not known
whether the paper is genuine win of the late
Joseph Holt. and the object of sending it to the
Register Of Wills cannot be determined, but it
is generally believed that it is all right. No
will of Judge Holt has ever been proven, and
on the 2sth of August, 1894, administration of
his estate was granted to the National Safe De
post Company, and within few days. the
year having expired. the distribution OF his
estate among his heirs would BIO begun in the
ordinary course OF administration. A will of
Judge Holt, dated in 1865, was filled In the
Wills Office, but as il was Endorsed This viii is
revoked, J. Holt" 10 action was ever taken
under il. The paper seems TO be in the we'll
known handwriting of Judge Holt. The sig
natures Of his witnesses, all of whom are dead,
appear TO be genuine. The executor, named
A>NF@N A'NfstDs was AosB VIC tDHbNtHi4Ai CieTh
Of Judge Bolt. lie had been soldier in the
army aud was detailed for that duty. W. G.
Sterett. one of the six heirs OF Judge Holt, Wis
tied the Wills Office, in company with Mai.
Angus Macswcen. and examined the newly
come paper No further action has yet been
taken in the case. The inventory Of the Holt
property fled last October shows that the per-
sonal estate is worth Sl3066f. while the real
estate is valued at $4,000 There is no doubt
that the heirs who DO not get anything by the
terms Of this will of one mind TO make |
fight in the courts If il be admitted to probate.
Miss Throck morton is daughter of Mai. |
Thfockmorton, L. s. A.
The relatives claim that there was a memoir |
anda found on Judge Hollis desk after his |
death which stated that be made will in 1886 |
which is later than the jnst-discovered will, |
made 10 1913. One of the points TO be raised is |
whether this memoranda is a revocation of the |
will inst found. Col. Wright. the Register of
Wills, says he has reason for believing that no |
such memorandum was ever found, and SAYS |
that il il was. Washington Holt knew nothing |
Of it. will may be revoked in the absence of |
a later will by such memorandum it is said, |
out ~ 20 tadihcH lHas TIE law mere requires /
such a revocation TO be witnessed by three or |
more witnesses. Hence, it is claimed by some |
lawyers that if the memorandum alleged TO |
have been found really exists il fails 10 revoke |
the will Of 1873 because il was not legally wit.
messed. 1t is alleged that there was a break |
between Judge Holt and the Throckmorto |
family, and that this is additional evidence |
that the will Of 1873 was revoked. The case |
has developed into quite mystery that is pug
zling the legal people here.
X
Col. J. p. Wright, Register OF Wills, was
last week by J. Nots McGil, young |
Washington attorney Of much promise. Col. |
Wright was appointed by President Harrison |
in 1890. and held the Office five years Sept. /. |
The present President has high regard for |
the ability Of Col. Wright, and it is said allowed
him to fill out the five years, as was tho |
Colonel's desire.
Some interesting facts about women are re-
vealed by the second appendix TO its list of nat.
enis. issued by the Patent Office the other day.
The Office WAS established ia 1890, and the first /
ia tent issued to a woman WAS n 1909 10 Mary