New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-10-15
JUSTICE FIELD RETIRES.
HIS RESIGNATION ACCEPTED BY THE
PRESIDENT.
.7roRNEY-GENERAL MKENNA WILL PROBABLY
III, NOMINATED TO FILL. THE VACANCY IN
THE SUPREME coURT-rRIBCTEs TO
THE RETIRING JUSTICE
IBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRIBUNE.l

THE RETIRING JUSTICE.
lBY TELEGRAPH TO TIE rRrBuNE.l
Washington, Oct 14-In the annals of the
snnreme Court of the United States the Oc-
,ober term of 1897 will be memorable one
On Monday Associate Justice Field for the last
time sat with his brethren as an active member
- that great tribunal. the last living INK Whch
connected it with the remote past. Wheh ne
crst took his seat there. thirty-four years ago
last May. one Of his associates. as he remarks
IN his letter was Justice Wayne who had been
rneml er Of the Court when ii was presided
,rsr by Chief Justice Marshall At that time
tho author Of the Dred Scott decision when
had already been reversed by the stern logic OF
.r,s nresided over the Court. The Emancl-
oston Proclamation had been issued ana was
{, nr,cess Of enforcement. The battle OF Get
,vshurp had not vet been fought, and Eicks-
burg and Port Hudson were stiH held 10y armeo
rebels Those were dark, stormy ana gloom!
davs and they are yivdly recalled ny justice
Fields alluson to the boom or cannon "hch
could now and then be heard from the other
side of the Potomac.
or course. IT was natural and proper that JUS
flee Field should indulge in "reminiscences OF MS
long and honorable judicial career as well as
that he should omit all reference to some o'her
matters which are now recalled by ms retre-
mont That he aspired to a Presidential nomi-
nation and encouraged his friends VINO trled TO
further his desires did not lower him IN pubic
esteem and never Influenced or swerVed MS ac-
tion or conduct a judge. his aihoi'loh 10
succeed to the vacancy caused by the ueath oi
Chief Justice Waite was not only worth! ana
nooorob,. ono hut one which he and his friends
regarded as entirely reasonable despite MS au-
,o,ood as,e ST .he time for he was still physical
w strong and full Of mental ana inteHec'uai
,icor There can be little doubt in the minds
Of those who know Justice Field well that he
then determined if his life was spared, that
president Cleveland should not appoint his sue
cessor For while he has always been distin-
puished as a lust and upright judge, he has
meyer heen regarded as one Of the meekest OF
men.
Moreover. Justice FELL undoubtedly felt that
in the making Of certain judicial and other APP
pontments i'm the Pacific States his advice and
suggestions had not been sought or accepted as
they ought TO have been. and this fact propapiy
wdened the breach between him and the Demo
cratic President. At least that was the impress
sion left on the minds of Justice Fields more IN
innate friends, who knew something of the per-
sonal and political animosities engendered IN
California during the secession excitement ana
the early days of the war. when he took hrh
stand both citizen and as Chief Justice OF
the Supreme Court of that State in favor OF the
Union. the Constitution and the enforcement of
the laws
That Justice Fields relations with his breth-
ren of the Supreme Court have been OF the most
cordial and friendly nature his friends nave al
WAYS known, and the warm regard ana nlen
esteem In which he is held by. them are attested
by their heartfelt and sincere expressions or re-
gret on this occasion. The correspondence, which
was made public to-day. and which is sub
Joined will be read with the deepest and most
genuine interest
The President apparently has not yet decided
on the appointments that Justice Fields retire
ment will occasion except that Attorney-Gen-
era Mckenna will be nominated for the supreme
Court unless some cause intervenes between
now and December to prevent it, Mr. Mckinley
has made inquiries Of political callers
which have led them TO believe that his mind is
pretty we'll made UP TO nominate Mr.. Mckenna
as the next Justice of the Supreme Court, but
TO none Of them. far can be learned did
he mention the matter Of a new Attorney-Gen-
eral.
After the adjournment Of the Supreme Court
TO-DAY the Justices and officers called in a body
at Justice Fields house and took official leave Of
him. Although his resignation does not take
effect until December l, 1t is the understanding
that Justice Field will not resume his seat on
the bench.