The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1896-12-07

Grant In his history or Seattle, Judge
Lewis said:
THE results OF this fire will determine
the metal OF the people OF Seattle.
haven't got much money, but I've got
enough TO commence rebuilding as soon as
the bricks get cold: and I'll build longer
and higher and better. and so will ali of
U.s. Seattle does everything on a grand
scale; when we have IRE We have the
biggest one, and now weii 20 TO work
and build the biggest and grandest city.
Ny friend Guy Phinney has men at work
in the smoking trenche, now and will
commence laying stone tomorrow morn
ing. Talk about defeat Why, you can't
kill this town. We've fought great mo-
nopoly; we've fought water-would to God
we'd had more Of II yesterday-and now
We won't Let fire conquer us"
1t win be recalled that ar rne time Seat
tie was destroyed a committee had been
at work raising money for the relief of
the Johnstown. Pa, food sufferers. The
question came up whether the money
should be sent TO Johnstown or kept at
home for the sufferers. AS If inspired by
one mighty impulse the voice of the peo-
pie said: Send the money 10 the Johns
town sufferers" and IL was cent.
In 1881 Judge Lewis took an active part
in moulding public sentiment in the direc-
tion OF extending the public school sys-
tenn. Prominently identified with him We're
Judge Thomas Burke. Judge Orange ia
cobs and Hon. w. III. White.
The keynote to Judge Lewis character
lays In his conception Of right and justice.
He may be justly called the Begby Of
Washington and idaho. for he admins
tered justice on the same lines OF that
famous British Columbia jurist. He was
absolutely without fear. and never showed
favor. on April TO- 1879. on the recon-
ns all the
preme judges and the congressional dele
cation from Iowa, he was appointed by
President Grant and confirmed by the
senate as associate justice of the supreme
court OF Idaho then new, and 70 the
people in the East. an unknown territory
Judge Lewis Immediately went TO Boise
City. arriving IL May. 1883, and on the lst
dsy OF June commenced a term OF the
district court al Silver City. He found
large docket, including twenty murder
cases. In twenty-four days he went
through the calendar. He enforced the
criminal laws rigid1y. thus mourning the
enr7Ity Of the criminal class, which, in
new territory IS usually large. The story
f. told that Lewis enemies figured long
ttrne as 20 how TO get rid OF him Ffna4-
~. thew hit upon the plan ~ having him
resign - In those DAYS II required long
time for A letter to travel from Idaho 20
washington, a fact which the conspiTa-
tors took into account They wrote OUT Il
document which purported 70 be the resis-
nation % Judge Lewis. stating In the docn-
ment that the resignation was 10 take
place Immediately. THE letter was Tor
wardes 10 President Grant. who accepted
the resignation and appointed Lewis sue
cesSor.
The first thar Lewis knew or his resis-
nation was when his successor and the ae-
ceptance OF his dewls') resignation ar
rived.
II IS said that Lewis Informed President
Grant that he bad not resigned. and tnat
ire letter was forgery. Grant = alleged
20 have replied that the letter looked all
right and that ne had, OF course, acted on
ne fsaiief that Lewis had resigned.
After this. Lewis was appointed and con-
erme,s as associate justice a. the supreme
court OF New Mexico. He did not accept
the position. and IN is72 was appointed
ana confirmed as associate justice 81 ne
supreme court Of the territory or wash
,nrton. n 1875 he became chief justice OF
the territorial court. which position he
haLs ,snsf1 the close Of his term, IN ls7s He
rnoxed 70 Seattle In 1875 and made It bis
nome untH a few years ago. when he
moved TO California