The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-07-23


Among the more mo.rnfui tasks OF the
bar association should be some sort OF
recognition OF the distinguished services
20 the profession OF Judge Thomas E.
CoSsey. whose bright mind has becsTne
closieed by excessive application ard who
seems destined to end his days In private
rstreat. Any action. either OF compliment
or sympathy viii probably not now be
appreciated by the great constitutional
lawyer. but * might serve some day 10
aid in restoring comfort 20 mind now
weakened. but which has not been alto
gesher destroyed.
There u apparently. however. very
sad ending destined TO one OF the most
couspieuous figures in American tusTs-
prudence A, least his active career Is
eadoi HE Is - years Of age. having been
born In iszs. Cooley was brought Up on
farm and educated Ia the country
schools OF Attics, New York state. He
Fead Iaw a, Palmyra, bu. when about 20
years OF age he went 70 Michigan. and at
the age Of g was admitted TO the tar.
rraesicinx at Tecumseh. At one time he
edited paper called the Adrian Watch
fcwer. an organ of the Free Soil Demo-
Gratis. He moved about for a few years,
but finally settled at Adrian and formed
a partnership with C. III. Crosweil. vino
afterward became governor Of the state.
IL was no; until 1867 that he began the
works with which his name has become
identified. He was employed by the leg
Islature 10 make "A compilation of the
laws of the state, a work which he did
SO acceptably that 1t has been used
rs model In many other states. lie
served for time as the reporter Of ne
supreme court and his name viii be- found
upon eight volumes
The first important work however. was
his Constitutional Limitations Upon Leg
isiative Power which 10 this day III a
standard law text book and has passed
through several editions. IL is.3 he pib-
iished ''Cooleys Blackstone's Comment
aries" which has also gene through sew
crai editions and has become a standard.
These were followed BY his famous work
on taxation, an edition OF Story on the
wrote the law article for the last edition
OF Appiztons Encyclopedia ard was
frequent contributor TO the American Law
Register. one OF the most charming cf
his wei as Is his history Of Michigan, witt
ten for The American Commonwealth
series In addition To these literary la
bors lie has held chair at the Michisan
ia frs.f ~4s4 I'D I.ff
OF lectures at the Johns Hopkins Unlyer-
sity.
Ia one very notable respect Judge Cooley
affords an excellent example for lawyers.
lie always refused 10 hold any minor Of
ilee or ore not associated with his pre-
fesslom. except when he was a very young
nstiA Ills first appearance in what may
he called political life was In ls54 when
the vacancy On the supreme bench Great
ed By the death OF Justice Manning was
allied by his election. lie served ceaiin-
uausiy darng three terms. bet was firal-
N dssegaad by Allen Il. Morse. now con-
sai ~ Glasgow by appointment OF Pres
tisnt Cleveland lie MAS renousnased by
tie Republicans far a fourth term mitch
10 their honor. for he took 20 part in
politics bat the acknowledgements
fusion combined against him and he was
defeated after service % twenty years
"a the bench. Associated with him on
the bench were Justices carsstianey.
CraYSs and Campbell. who were known
as the Rig -Four" ana whose decisions
/ had fame far beyond the confines If
( their state. christiancy aftcrward won't
20 the United States senate and the 9TH
| ers retIrsa 70 private lie. and The retire
n.ent If Justice Campbell IN 1855 saw ~he
/ laSt ~ a tribunal which had brought na-
+ ,,cusi credit TO the Michigan supreme
co0rt.
i Judge Cooley belongs to the ranks Of
! legal Writers Who Will live H. their works
! long after people have forgotten whether
/ "a not tAey were sttil alive The Amer
+ lcan ear has produced large number q
very capable writer's. but very few who
/ VIII rank wlsh Cooley In hts time. and
! any state tar may recognize with pride
/ sae services resdesea ny the intellect
/ which IS BOW under shadow