The pioneer express. [volume] (Pembina, Dakota [N.D.]) 1883-1928, 1897-10-22

JUSTICE STEPHEN J. FIELD.
that his successor will be nominated by
the president Immediately after the
converting Of congress in December,
and that Attorney General McKenna,
also OF California, will be named for
the Office.
The following letter, dated Oct. 10,
was given out during the afternoon:
Dear Mr.. Chief Justice and Brethren:
Near the close of last term, feeling that
the duties Of my Office had become too
arduous for my strength, transmitted
my resignation to the president. to take
effect on the first day Of December
next. and this he has accepted, with
kindly expressions of regard. as will be
seen from a copy of the. letter, which is
as follows:
The Fresident's Letter.
Hon. Stephen ]. Field, Associate Jus.
tice of the Supreme Court of the
United States, Washington, d. g.:
MY DEAR S1R-In April last Chief
Justice Fuller, accompanied by Mr..
Justice Brewer, handed me your resig.
nation. as associate justice of the su.
preme court Of the United Srstes, to
take effect Dec. /, 1897.
Elm hereby accepting your resigna.
ton, wish to express my deep regret
that you feel compelled by advancing
years to sever your active connection
with the court of which you have 80
long been a distinguished member.
Entering upon your great Office in May,
1868, you will, on the LIST of next De-
cember. have served upon this bench
for period of "a years and 2 months, a
tenn longer than that of any member
Of the court since its creation, and
throughout a period of special impor.
ance III the history of the country, &C.
cupied with as grave public questions
as have ever confronted that tribunal
for decision.
II congratulate you, therefore, most
heartily upon a service Of such excep.
tional duration, fidelity and distinction.
"Nor can I overlook that you received
your commission from Abraham Lin
coin, and, graciously spared by kind
Providence, have survived all the mem.
bers of the court Of his appointment.
upon your retirement both the
bench and the country will sustain q
great loss, but the high character and
great ability OF your work will live and
long be remembered, not only by your
colleagues. but BY your grateful country.
men.
"With personal esteem and sincere
best wishes for your oontentment and
happiness during the period of rest
which you have % well earned, am,
dear cdr, Very truly yours
WILLIAM N'KINLEY."
Ny judicial career covers many years
Of service. Having been elected . mem.
Der Of the supreme court Of California,
I assumed that Office Oct. Is, 1867,
holding it s years, months and s days,
the latter part Of the time being chief
justice.
On March 10, 1868. was commits.
stoned by President Lincoln a justice OF
the supreme court Of the United States,
taking the oath Of Office on the 10th day
Of the following May.
When my resignation takes effect my
period Of service on this bench will
have exceeded that Of any Of my prede.
cessors while my entire judicial lii.
will have embraced more than 20 years
I may be pardoned Tor saying that dur
ing, all this period. long in comparison
with the brevity of human life, though
in the retrospect it has gone with
the swiftness Of tale that
IL told, i have not summed
to declare in every case coming b..
fore me for decision. the conclusion
which my deliberate convictions cu,n.
PEELED me to arrive Ct, by the consclen.
tious exercise Of such abilities aud ~.
Quirements rs ! possessed.