The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1897-10-15

Senus 10 tne supreme Soott ms Nuooe"~e>
ment That HE service on the supreme
Bench Will Terminate December L. in-
closing Also Cordial Letter From the
President RegrettiaE His Withdrawal
and Commencing His Long aud Bril-
liant Judicial Record-HUlds the Long
service Record of the Supreme Bench.
WASHINGTON. Oc. I4-Associate Justice
Stephen ]. Field today formally retired
from The supreme cour; OF the United
States. after ,hirty-sou- years % service
in TIA; tribunal
The correspondence between Justice
Field and the president. which was made
public today. shows that his resignation
was rendered in April last. P-eSiden;
Mckinley. however. did no; respond I'M
I'll October g. While Justice F1elt's res
igna:ion does not take effect until De-
cemoer l. he viii no.. !, is understood.
again 81; in the supreme court. His col
leagues OF The supreme court today call
ed upon him and expressed their res.e;
Al his retirement and extended tas!r con-
graduation upon rs ,long service as an
associate justice. the longes, on record.
Washington. Oct. l4-It was alncunc-
cd al the supreme cour; today that
Justice Slspaen Field o: California had
notified President Mckinley OF MS inten-
zion 20 retire as member OF the court
II
fact. 1; is expected that his successor
viii be nominated Immediately after the
converting OF congress and that Attorney
General McKenna. also OF California.
Will be named for the Office.
Justice Field. ii is learned notified the
president last April OF his intention %
retire bu; the president did not acknow.-
edge il until October 9.
The following was given on; his az
ternoon:
Supreme court OF the United States.
Washington. D. c.. Oct. u. 1897
Oar Mr.. Chic; Justice and Brethren:
Near me close OF last term. feeling that
the duties OF my Office had become TOO
numerous for my strength. I transmitted
my resignation TO the president. 10 take
effect on the l-st day OF December next.
and this ne has accepted. with many ex-
pressions Of regard, ar Will De seen from
a copy OF his letter, which is as follows:
Executive Mansion. Washington.
Oct 9, 1s97-Hol. Stephen J. Field. as
ISOLATE justice OF the supreme court OF
the United States Washington. u. c.
MY Dear Sir: In April last Chic,
Justice Fuller. accompanied by NJ. Jus-
tice Brewer. handed me your resisnatio
as associate justice OF the supreme court,
10 take effect December l, 1897.
Tn hereby accepting your res!gna-
ton. 1 wish TO express my deep regret
that you feel compelled by advancing
years 10 sever your active connection
with the court Of which you have so long
been a distinguished member.
Entering upon your great ofiice in
May. 1863, you viii. on the first OF next
December. have served upon this bench
for a period Of thirtyf0ur years AMI
seven months. a term lorger than that
OF any member OF the court since its
creation and throughout a period OF rs
pecial Importance in the history of the
country. occupied with as grave public
tribunal for decision
~ congratulate You therefore most
heartily upon a service % sucl exceP-
iionai duration. fidelity and distinction.
Nor can l overlook that you received
your appointment from Abraham LIN
coin, and. gracl0usly spared by a kind
Providence, have survived all the mem
bers OF the court OF his appointment.
Upon your retiremen; both the
bench and the country will sustain a
great loss. but the high character AM
great ability OF your work viii live and
long be remembered. nos only by your
but BY your grateful fellow
countrymen.
VITA personal esteem and sincere
best wishes for your conientmsnt and
happiness during the period % res; which
you have SO well earned. am. dear 81.
VERY truly yours.
WILLIAM M'KINLEY'
Having been elected 4 member % the Z
court % California. assumed
that office October. 1857. holding u f1-
five years. seven months and five days /
the latter part OF the time being chief
justice.
on the 10.h of March. 1853. I was CON- T.
missioned by President Lincoln. a justice .
OF the supreme court OF t1e United I.
States. taking the oath OF Office on ne /
20tA day % the following May.
when my resignation takes effect n 4
uerioi % service on tais bench vii have /
exceeded that Of any Of rny predecessors I
while my entire judicial NE VIII have /
embraced more than forty years I mag /
b oarI5ne1 for saying that during al /
this period. long In comparison Win me +
brevi,y o. human llse t31ugh In TIE re- 4
-ozo@ct u mas gone with me sTitiuess q 4
, tale that Is tod. have 10; stunned 4
h declare IN every case coming before /
ne for de-isi1n, tae conclusions H5ich /
nv convictions compelled me - arrive
A.. By he exercise = s1ca abilities AM
scqu.-emen;s = fo-se ssed-
After TIE adjournment OF coa-t today \
ne justices and ne ofi-ers q he court
.ailea IN a BODY az Justice Fleid's hs'ise
ma took oracial cave % ne retiring
us,.ee. Al.ao8gh his reslxnsi.on coes
lot AXE snect 8at.i - frst d; Deem
~. g; IS ne entertaining nat justice
sT.,d wlI Tot resBnle IS sea- On TIE
,en-a during ne interim.