Weekly independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1887-1914, 1897-04-25
Only Seven Chigr Justices.


The Office OF Chief Justice OF the
Supreme Court Of the United States
% established by the constitution
coucurrently with the Office OF Presi-
don't. but while the Presidency has
been opon to all nativs-h citizens
above the age OF 81. the Office OF Chief
Justice Of the Supreme Court, be-
slowed usually upon men OF ma
ture, il not advanced years, has been
held in fact by seven persons only
since the foundation OF the Govern
ment. There have been more than
three times as many President.
John Jay OF Now York was the first
Chief Justice OF the Supreme Court.
He wss appointed by Washington in
1889. Judge Jay was at that time
a years OF age. Whsn he attained
the uge OF 80 he resigned aud retired
to private life. He died thirty-four
years later-in 1929. The second OF
the Supreme Court Justices was John
Ellsworth Of Connecticut. He Was
5i years Of age when appointed and
served until 1901, when he resigned.
resignation from public Office being
somewhat more frequent: at that time
than now. His successor was John
Marshall OF Virginia. who was i6
years Of age when no assumed this
post by appointment OF President
John Adams. Ie held 1t uninter-
ruptedly for thirty-four years until
hia death in 1885. Andrew Jackson
appointed his successor. Roger B.
THney. OF Maryland, who held the Of
fee until his death in 1854. Judge
Tauey ~gs 50 years of age when APP
pointed and 81 at tho time OF his
death.
No Chief Justice OF tho Supreme
Court, perhaps had moro intricate
questions To determine or to vote up.
on i'll that tribunal thun did Judge
Tancy, and his tenure and that Of
Chief Justice Marshall stretch over
nearly onc.half OF the history OF the
United States as a nation. Chief
Justice Taney's successor wns Sal.
mon p. Chase OF Ohio, who had pre-
vionsly been Secretary OF the Treas
ury, and was 80 years OF ago when
appointed. IIe served for 0 yeas
dying in 1873. Mr.. Chase was him-
il saH candidate for the Presidency,
and had hoped to dofeat Mr.. Lincoln
/ for denomination and to succecd him,
and later, in 1863, it is known that
. Mr.. Chase was candidate for the
| democratic nomination for the Presi-
,lency, though no had been ono Of the
founders OF the Republican party
Chief Justice Chase was succeeded
in 1879 by P.esiaent Grants appoint.
ment OF another Ohio man, Morrison
Il. Waite, who was 81 years OF age
when appointed. and served until
1888 whom no was succeeded by the
present Chief Justice, Melville w.
rFuI)c', appointed by President Clevo.
. land. Mr.. Fuller is a native OF Maino.
lIe was. when appointed, So ycars OF
age, aud wBs Ga on Feb. II. 1897. Ils
. - tho seventh Of tho Chief Justices Of
itls Supreme Court. and has served
thus fac bricier term than any OF his
predecessors since Chict Justice Ellis
worth.
In addition To tho Chief Justices
who have served several msn have
been nominated, but rejected
by the Senate. which has ooniirma-
tory power. Tho office Of Chief JUS.
tice is by many citizens moro highly
coveted than TINT Of tho Presidency.
Tho labor In lees, the responsibility
much smaller. tenure much longor
and tho houor on exalted onc.-.N.
Y. Sun.
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