The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-11-30

Van Clief usually spent his summers in
Downieville and his winters here. In
May, 1889. he was appoint ted one of the
Commissioners of the Supreme Court by
the court. and he continued to be COM
missioner up to the time OF his death. He
was born in the State of Ohio, January 26,
1S1S-7S years of age.
Judge Van Clief wrote q number OF
sound articles for newspapers on the con-
stitutional amendment in 1868, and a
Fourth of July Grafton which he deliv-
cred in Downieville in 1865 is another in
dication of his interest in public and Ma
| tional affairs. Many other articles of a
| political nature were written by him and
published, but the fact that he seldom
! signed them IS an illustration of his
modest personality. He was man who
did not seek notoriety.
He took a prominent part in the noted
debris cases in 1S77-7S. The first action in
that case, the title of which was Keys vs.
The Little York Mining Company, was
brous hit by Judge Van Clief, and he may
be said to have initiated this litigation.
The Judge leaves several children and a
widow. By his first marriage he leaves
two daughter-Mrs. Hiram L. Gear of San
Francisco and Mrs. Cowden of Phoenix,
AriZ. The only child of his second mar
rage is now Mrs. w. f. Herrin.
Judge Van Clief was g man of the high
est integrity and q fast friend whose char
acter was unfoded the fullest only to his
intimate friends. He has been spoken of
as a man of ''im practicable honesty" He
had judicial mind, was man of wide
learning and thoroughly fitted for the re-
sponsible position he held.
Judge Thomas B. Mcfarland, Associate
Justice of the Supreme Court of California,
has known Judge Van Ciief for many
years. He said last evening: II am sur
prised to learn of his death. Peter Van
Clief was a man of much ability and
learning, He was thorough-going and
had a large practice before he went on the
bench. l have known him since 1855
or SCI
Judge Niles Searles, an associa tie COM
missioner, has known Judge Van Clief
since 1852 He was seen last night at his
apartments in the St. Nicholas Hotel. He
said: II have known Peter Van Clief
intim ately for over forty years. He was a
good lawyer, had thorough and logical
mind, fine constitution, and had won
derful industry. He was not great Jury
lawyer, but in the argument of law ques-
tions and the preparation Of briefs for the
court OF last resort he had verv few supe-
riors. He understood words and their
meaning and the English. language thor
oughly.
He left in August, think, on his
vacation. He returned from stage
ride down the mountains, where he
had mining claims, strained in his right
shoulder and side. This extended to his
stomach and for weeks he realized he was
on his deathbed. Judge Van Clief has
lived useful life. He did not make as
much noise as many men OF half his abil-
ity. He was thorough, able and an hone st
lawyer"
The question of Judge Van Cliei's sue
cessor has already arisen in those circles
which realize the importance of the posi-
ton. The salary OF Supreme Court Com
missioner is $4,000 year, as much as the
Justices of the Supreme Court. The legis-
latiye act creating the Supreme Court
Com missioners will expire next May, and
the question has arisen as to whether the
Legislature this winter will continue the
commission.
There has been q feeling among the
attorneys of California for several years
that an appellate court, which shall have
final jurisdiction and power in cases of q
certain class, should be created, and if
such action be taken this winter by the
Legislature the Supreme Court Commits
sioners will be abolished. This feeling is
said to be widespread, and. under the cir
cumstances, it is considered doubtful that
the Supre me Court will make an appoint
ment to the vacancy, or that any compe-
tent lawyer would accept an appointment
for so uncertain term.