New-York tribune., 1896-01-26

,ustice Peckham of New-York, completing the
,orking force OF the court. The appointment OF
Nr Peckham naturally brings 10 mind President
roveland's nominations OF William E. Hornblower
or1 Wheeler II. Peckham 10 fill the vacancy
.rsod by the death of Justice Bla;chford In the
summer OF denominations which failed OF con-
ern,ation by the Senate. The story of the long
,~awn-out battle waged for five months by the
Xcv-york Senator's Mr.. Hill and Mr.. Murphy, first
AGAINST William b. Hornblower, then with even
No. bitterness against Wheeler II. Peckham.
oou,nlishng the rejection OF both gentlemen by
the senate and the sudden ending OF hostilites by
the Presidents selection OF Senator White. of
1oyis,ana who confirmed without much as
the tOmary reference 10 a committee. are mat
,ers of recent history. fresh in the public mind
rberofore while the advent OF a new Justice is at
tended with formal ceremonies, more or less at
,-active II need hardly be said that the appear
snce OF Justice Peckham was looked for with un-
usual Interest. and the more significant from the
FAC. that he is a brother of the rejected Wheeler
H. Ptckham.
Justice Peckhaic is the youngest man but one on
N. Supreme Bench. having just turned his fifty
seventh year. Ills hair and mustache, though
siyery white. 80 with fair complexion and take
from. rather than add 10. his age So little does
ba look like a Judge that the black gown
alone suggests his judicial calling. He has fne
head. strong. clear-cut. scholarly race wears
eyeglasses. which are becoming. and would pass
for a college professor anywhere And yet. as
matter OF fact, Justice ftCkIdHl IL iot even
college graduate. He is however. so learned IN
law. for which he had the natural bent, that It
would not be wide OF the mark 10 call the new
Justice Of the Supreme Court born lawyer
YALE's REPRESENTATIVES,
In the prestige o, college training Yale holds
sway on the Supreme Bench. having three repre-
seotat'ves Justice Brewer Justice Brown and JUS
tjce shlras who. Yale men. are said 20 be quite
clannish." OF the three. Justice Brown large and
smooth OF face has the truly judicial air. and az no
time or place would be mistaken for other than
Judge. Justice Brewer. also smooth shaven, has,
according TO one OF the cleverest women in tho
court circle the head OF a monk. Justice Shiras,
who wears closely trimmed side whiskers and
smooth chin would. IN nine times out OF ten. he
taken for an Episcopal clergyman
As a rule the men who form the highest
tribunal in the land have not been given TO politics
or otlce-holdirg. When young man OF twenty
five Justice Brown held the office OF United States
uenutv Marshal &C which he appointed by
President Lincoln in 1851 With this exception MS
profession was that OF lawyer and judge IN
Michigan until appointed Associate Justice OF the
Supreme Court Of the United States, TO fill the
vacancy caused by the death of Justice Miller
The mantle OF that eminent jurist could not have
fallen on more worthy shoulders.
Justice Brown is OF the four members OF the
court who own houses in Washington having built
one OF the fines, houses in Sixteenth-st. 1t IS
unioue in the number and individuality OF its fire.
places no two Of which alike. but each ap-
uarently more beautiful than the other. Though on
the verge Of his sixtieh birthday. Justice Brown IS
not beyond the enjoymen; Of fads. II Is said the
fireplace is Justice Browns fad
Justice Shras is the man on the supreme
Bench who never held office, and has been
nothing but lawyer all his hfe." He has been
in active practice from the time he was admitted
10 the bar OF Pennsylvania forty years ago. until
appointed Associate Justice OF the supreme 'ou''
rounding up a career OF great legal ability and ex
,erience The name OF George Shiras leads four
generations. without break in the middle. The
father OF the Justice is George Shiras ST. the
Justice is George Shiras. jr. leaving the grandson
and ereat-grandsoH third and fourth Justice
sbiras Is stxty-four. but looks quite ten years
Younger His clerical appearance is not always
against him, though frequently cause for anusc-
ment. as 1t often leads 10 offers OF the usual con-
sderations which entite clergymen 10 certain
worldly advantages. This is especially true OF
bookshops where glance at the Justice Is In
variably followed by the prorer OF reduced rates
10 the clergy.
Justice Brewer the youngest OF the three Yale
men, will be fffty-nine next June He is West
ern man and the only foregn-born member OF me
s,preme Court He was born in Smyrna, Asia
Minor where his parents engaged In mission
airy work. At early age he was sent home 10
America 10 be educated, and made such progress
that al nineteen he had been graduated from
Yale at twenty from the Albany Law School
and at twenty-five was young lawyer established
in his profession at Leavenvo orth. Kan, where he
continued 10 live for thirty years, when ne was ap-
pointed 10 the Supreme Bench.
Justice Brewer had small experience In politics
oy orice-holding for he had served In but one
o@ce that Of United States Commissioner, 10
which he was appointed in 1861 by, President Lin
coln and held the position only year. since tnat
time Justice Brewers Mfe has been one OF eX-
c!usively judicial work. His record Is marked by
he rare distinction of advancing step by step win
exceptional success. through every court in his
STATE from Judge OF the Probate and Criminal
courts Judge OF the District Court, Judge OF the
C.rcui; Court OF the United States ana justice OF
,he State Supreme Court. covering period OF
twen,v-seven years when he was appointed As
sociate Justice Of the Supreme Court OF the Oh'ed
STATES No man on the bench has similar record
on his mothers side Justice Brewer Is hephe" OF
Justice Field Ii is the only example In the history
OF the court where uncle and nepne" were on '"e
bench al the time. The appointment o. JUS
lice Brewer on the Venezuelan Commission OF
which as chairman he Is the leading member.
brings him still more prominently before the coun-
.-v During the February recess Of the supreme
Court Justice Brewer Will devote the entire TOUT
weeks 10 the business OF the COMMISSION.
THE ONLY ONE IN THE UNION ARMh'
Justice Harlan is the only man on the supreme
Bench who served in the Union Army ne was
born and educated In Kentucky, graduate OF
Center College and studied law at IransyNahia
University. Though just started in the p'dc"co
0, his pi ofesson. the first caiI lot 'ooP, ia
1861 this loyal young kentuckian lert ms Ia" o'' {
in Louisville raised the 10th Kentucky Regiment OF
Infantry and led it ahe front. serving IN the al
vision OF General George II. Thomas "hen 'he
war was over General Harlan went back 10 MS Id"
practice in Louisville. and shortly a1ter"aru was
elected Attorney-Geners Of the State by the INV"
par;v Though he held no other office. ne was
from that until appointed to the Supreme be"o
prominently before the country as the leader OF
the Republican party in Kentucky, receiving the
nomination for Governor and at the State CohVeh-
tion in 1875 the choice for Nice-President nc