The Butler weekly times., 1897-10-21
uISTICE STEPHEN J. FIELD
Retires From the Supreme
Court.
COMES or A GREAT FAMILY.

The II0Se OF heCoio oS '"i''" ""'~"' III
Length Has Never Been equaled by That
Of ANY American Who Has Sat on the
Supreme nch.-Twice Was His Life
Sought by Assassins in California.
Washington, ID. G., Oct 14.-1t
was announced at the Supreme
Court to day tha. Justice Stephen j.
Field of California had notified Pres
ident Mckinley of his intention to
ratire az a member of the court, and
had informed his colleagues of this
fact. The members of the court,
after adjournment at o'clock to-
dsy, will call in body on the retir
ing justice to pay him their respects.
Il is expected that his successor will
be nominated by the President i'm
mediately after the convening of
Corrrass in December, and that
Attorney General McKenna, also of
California, will be named for the
Office.
The following letter was given out
this afternoon:
Supreme Count of the United
States, Washington, u. c., Oct. II,
1897: Dear Mr. Chief Justice and
Brethren-Near the close of the last
term, feeling that the duties of my
Office had become too arduous for
my strength, transmitted my resig
nation to the President, to take
effect On the first day OF December
nex,, and this he has accepted with
kindly expressions OF regard as will
be seen from copy of his letter,
which is as follows:
Executive Mansion, Washington,
"Oct. 8, 1897
"Hon. Stephen j Field, Associate
Justice OF the Supreme Court OF
the United States, Washington
D. c.:
"My Dear Sir-In April last Chie1
Justice Fuller, accompanied by Mr.
Justice Brewer, handed me your
resignation as Associate Justice o.
the Supreme Court of the UniteG
States, to take effect Dec l, 1897.
I'm hereby accepting your resig
nation wish to express my deel
regret that you feel compelled b.
advancing years to sever your active
connection with the court of which
you have so long been distinguish
ed member.
"Entering upon your great offic
in May, 1868, you will, on the frs
Of next December, have served upol
this bench for period of thirty-tou
years aud seven months, a tern
longer than that OF any member o
the court since it's creation an(
throughout period of special i'm
portancs in the history of the coun
try, occupied with as grave public
questions as have ever confronte(
that tribunal for decision.
Il congratulate you, therefore
most heartily upon service OF sucl
exceptional duration, fidelity ant
distinction. Nor can I overlook tha
you received your commission from
Abraham Lincoln, and graciousl,
spared by kind Providence hav
survived all, the members CT tn
court of his appointment.
Upon your retirement both tn
bench and the country will sust al
great loss, but the high characta
and great ability Of your work Wi
live long and be RENE mtered, no
only by your colleagues but by you
grateful fellow countrymen.
"With persona! esteem and SINGER
best wishes for your contentmen
and happiness during the period c
rest, which you have so we'll earned
l am, dear sir, very truly yours,
WM. Mckinney
My judicial career covers man
years of service. Having been cleo
ed a member of the Supreme Coul
OF California, l assumed that oflic
Oct. l3, 1857, holding it for fv
years, seven months and FIVE day
the latter part OF the time bein