Belding banner. (Belding, Mich.) 1889-1918, 1897-03-04

voiced the will OF Republicans
the state, and met the ex-
mediation OF the whole people by It's
and hearty denomination OF
Justice Long for the supreme bench.
In this action II not only carried out
the Michigan custom of giving
second term TO an official who has
proven worthy. but paid deserved
tribute to one who has been proauen-
ing In character and growing In popu-
lar favor for many years.
Though with several generations oil
New England blood i'm his veins, on
both his fathers and mothers side,
Judge Long is, perhaps, the most dis
tlnctly a Michigan man of any OF the
eminent jurists who have given high
rank 10 our State Supreme Court His
parents came, in 1910, from Tewks-
barry. Mass, TO Grand Blanc, Genesee
county. and there he was born. June
IA. 1871. Animated by a strong desire
for n thorough education, nj the age
of IL he left home for the purpose OF
obtaining in the schools at Flint better
than We're offered In MS
native town. lie was obliged mainly
10 support himself, which he did by
teaching winters, commencing This
work before he was IL years old.
Young Long had completed his
preparatory studies and was ready
to enter Michigan University, when.
in 1861, the breaking out OF
the war presented to him as
TO many other young men in the
north, the alternative of carrying out
cherished personal designs, or of listen
ing To his country's call for patriotic
service. He did not hesitate, but, in
August of that year, enlisted as pri-
vate in Co A, Eigth Michigan Infant
ny. His service in the army lasted
only eight months, but ii left IA heri-
tage OF pain and distress which was
to endure for the rest OF his life. In
the battle OF Wilmington Island, Geor-
ria. April IL, 1862, he received two
severe wounds. BY the first he lost
ais left arm, which was amputated
above the elbow. The second was
even more distressing in its results, a
rifle ball passing through his hip and
body and lodging In the opposite
groin. where il remains embedded to
This day. The wound occasioned by
this bah has never healed, but has
now been the source of pain and care
for more than the average life time
OF a man. For nearly 81 years Ii has
been a constant reminder OF his mill
tary service, a perpetual discomfort.
IL has to be carefully dressed every
day, requiring the frequent services
If an attendant
These wounds, OF course, put manual
labor out OF the question for the rest
of his life, but did not daunt his spirit.
On his return to Flint Mr.. Long COM
menced the study of law. In 1864 he
was elected clerk Of Genesee county.
and in this office he served four terms
of two years each. Besides giving him
a comfortable support this position
afforded welcome opportunity To
supplement his law studies by prac-
teal knowledge of the form of plead
ings and the methods of court pro-
cecdure. Following this he was elect
ed prosecuting attorney for three
terms, from 1874 TO 1880 In addition
Ia these local Offices he was, in 1SSo
one of the supervisors, for Michigan
OF the tenth census; was appointed
judge Advocate by Governor Jerome;
was member OF the State Military
hoard under Governor Alger. and was
appointed by Governor Luce one of tn,
commissioners for Michigan TO attend
the Centennial celebration of the adop-
ton of the constitution Of the United
States. He has for the past six year.
been president of the Detroit College OF
Law.
While holding the office of county
clerk Mr.. Long was admitted To the
bar. formed "A law partnership with
George g. Gold, and entered upon Il
practice which, for the next ten years
was large and varied 1t covered al
most every kind of civil case except
admiralty practice. This, with the
knowledge Of criminal law. which his
service as prosecuting attorney gave
furnished an admirable equipment in
general, and special law for the higher
position to which he was. at a later
day, called.
In 1887 the Legislature increased the
number of supreme court judges from
four To five, and extended the term t.
ten years. Mr.. Long was nominated
for the position thus created and was
elected by handsome majority. Not
withstanding his physical disability he
has for the past nine years been one
OF the most industrious members OF a
very Industrious court. He has sat in
almost all cases that have came before
the court. and his written opinions
scattered through 40 volumes of re-
ports. are fine examples OF clear state
ment, sound principle and logical ar
gument.
Ever since ~ first gave serious
thought to political questions Judge
Long has been believer in the prin-
ciplcS of the Republican party, and
was for years among the active party
workers in GeneIce county, but the
charge Of partiSanship has never been
made against his course on the
bench. This H. perhaps best illustrated
by the decision on the Miner law for
choosing presidential electors by con
gressional districts instead of on a
general ticket In this case a strong
appeal was made to party feeling on
the ground tnGt the .aw was unjust
and contrary To all precedents. but the
court he'd il to he constitutional. and
i'm this decision Judge Long concurred.
This action was recognized by many,
even 10y the Democratic papers as a
notable Instance Of nOn-partsanship i'm
The consideration IT constitutional
question
The same fairness was shown in the
opinions written 10y Judge Long I'm TN ?
snnfnct unnu Iu1pn Adsit aud