Daily independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 188?-1915, 1897-10-15

Ing loLCer was given out tn8 aICer-
noon:
Supreme Ccnrt Of the United
States, Washington, D. c. Oct. IL,
1897. Dear Mr.. Chief Justice and
Brethren-Near the close Of last term
feeling that the duties of my Office
had became too arduous for my
strength, I transmitted my resigna-
ton to the President, to take effect
on the first day of December next,
and this he has accepted with indy
expressions Of regard, as will be seen
from a copy OF his letter. which is as
fonowss 49, 1tr--n-"., $685. ~,
.>E'ExeEntive Mansion, Washington,
0ct.9,+l897. Hon. Stephen j. Field,
Associate Justice u of the Supreme
Court Of the United States, Washing.
ton, D. C.-My Dear Sir: In April
last Chief Justice Fuller accompanied
by Mr. Justice Brewer handed me
your resignation as Associate Justice
ofthe Supreme Court of the United
States to take effect December l,
1897. .n..,.;9& ,,.5. h.l-.
- In hereby accepting your resig-
nation wish to express mp deep
regret that you feel COMPEL ID by ad.
vancing years to sever your active
connection with the court of which
you have so long been a distinguished
member,3',ns 80 d. '.,. 90 .. ,>.,....
..t% Entering upon your great Office
in May, 1896, you will, OH the first Of
dext December: Have Served upon this
bench'for period Of thlrty-four years
and seven months, term longer than
that of any member Of the court
since it's creation, and throughout a
period Of special importance in the
history: Of the coantry, occupied with
as grave pubheiquestions as'have!eVe
confronted that tribunal for decis-
ion. ely. ".&'.j ,LL','lJ' bhH HiY":L
AT congratulate you therefore most
heartily upon service Of such excep-
tional duration, fidelity and distinc-
ton. Nor can I overlook that you
received your commission. from Abre.
ham Lincoln, and graciously spared
by a kind Pfovidenoe.a haveg survived
all the members of the court of his
appointment. g. ,'''"'l ! '"w 1. .
&'Upon your retirement both the
bench and the country will sustain
agreat 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 countrymenil H. '-on si5i
"'With personal esteem" and SIN
cere best wishes for your con-
tentment and happiness during the
period Of rest which you have 30 well
earned. I am, dear sir, Very Truly
Yours, 'or .,.,,,".".. :, .,-....
o. '',"" tWILtrAM MoKrNLEY.,R
"My judicial career; covers many
years OF service. Having been elect
ed member OF the Supreme Court
OF California, ] assumed that office
October 13, 1857, holding it for five
years, seven months and five days,
the latter part OF the time being
Chief Justice. -. ......, .. 49,.
"On the 10th Of March, 1862, ] was
commissioned by President Lincoln Il
Justice of the Supreme Court of the
United States, taking the oath OF
Office on the 30th day of the following
May. '.'. '."".' .a % naf
when my resignation takes effect
my period Of service on this bench
will have exceeded that Of any o: my
predecessors, while my entire judicial
life Will have embraced more than
forty years. I may be pardoned for
saying that during all this period
long in comparison with the brevity
Of human. lit6: though in the retro.
spect, it has gore with the swlftneas
Of tale that is told, i have not shun.
ned to declare in every case coming
beforeIae for decision the conclu.
sions which my delibe rate con victicne