The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1897-10-15
YEARS CROWNED WITH HONOR
REVIEW OF JUSTICE FIELDS
TERM OF SERVICE.
Began Under Lincoln and Exceeded
That of ANY of His Predecessors
The Courts Reply.

Washington. Oct. fit was announced
at the supreme court today that Justice
Stephen J. Field, of California, had
notified President Mckinley OF his inten-
ton TO retire as a member OF the court
and had informed MS colleagues of this
fact
Justice Field. it is learned, notified the
president last April of his intention to re-
tire, but the president did not aellnow-
ledge it until oct. 9.
In letter to the supreme cour. explain
ing the reasons for mis- retirement, Justice
Field said:
Much judicial care covers many years
OF. service. Having been elected a member
of the supreme court of California, as
sumed that office Oct. %. 1851, holding 1t
for five years, seven months and i've days
the latter part OF the time ns4nS eHae4
justice.
ION the 10th OF March, 1853, 1 was COM
missioned tV President Lincoln a justice
of the supreme court OF the United STATES,
taking the oath of office on the 10th day
of the following May.
When my resignation takes effect my
period OF service on this bench Wln have
exceeded that of any OF my predecessors,
while my entire judicial life VIII haYe
embraced more Tran 40 years. may ee
pardoned for saying that during all this
period, long i'll comparison with the
breVity of imam life, Though in tine ps--
respect, it has gone with the swittness
or d tdle that is told. l nave not Stunned
to declare in every case coming before
me for decision the conclusions which
my deliberate convictions compelled me 10
arrive at by the conscientious exercise of
such abilities and requirements as
possessed.
ElJl.0wing IS the court s reply:
! Supreme Court of the Un4led States
Washington, d. c., Oct IA, 1881
| Dear Br0.uIer Fed:
((f7 ara rlT70f0TIT16tV r1lr1Ua1 n 1crreT
! in which you announce 10 us your retire
msnt from the bench. The termination OF
| d judicial career Of such length and dis
| function cannot fail to inspire among all
| youl c5Gn'trymen, and, indeed, wherever
| the realm of Jurisprudence extends, a
| Keen sense of loss, which, to your col
leagues, assumes the aspect of a persona.
! bereavement. For the intimacy -Iecessa.
! riiy incident to the conduct OF W,Jrk Sc
! constant, SO eXacting and of suod vita
| Importance as ours, inevitably draws US
| togGuher by ties of the CJUS5gt character
| which cannot be dissolved Without emo
! tons of deep sadness and regret. We fee
| that our parting involves not simply thu
| deprivation of assistance afforded by YOU
| learning, your vast experience and you
1 earaleStnesS in advocacy of your ct9nvic
/ t!onS, but the severance OF these rela
| tiocS which have CONTRIBUTED so nuc,a u
I Tighten the hardest Iabors of the road.
This IL NOT the time E8r place to dwell
! upon the reputation you have achieved a.
| q juriSt- The record is made up, and ma!
! safely ne comniuued to the judgment o
pOSiterlty.
| But we cannot part with you as au &C
/ tive member of the court without Ehe fer
| vent expression Of the hopes that y0f
may be spared for many years to enjo.
| the repose You have 50 t1orousaly ,earAe'
( and the commentator bestowed upoS
! good and fa1.hful service.
We are, dear brother, your affectionaE
brethren,