Ceredo advance. [volume] (Ceredo, W. Va.) 1885-1939, 1897-10-20

WASHINGTON, Oct. i5.- The following
letter was given out Thursday after.
noon:
SrpRsNs CorRr or THs UNITED STATES,
| wAsHi>croN. ID. &. Oct ~ isf
| Dear MIR CHIEF Justice and Brethren: Near
| the close OF last term, feeling that the duties
OF my once had become too arduous for my
strength, I transmitted INV resignation 10 the
president. To take eject ON the nrst day OF De-
cember next. and this he has accepted. with
kindly expressions OF regard. an win be- seen
from copy OF his letter. which is as follows:
"Exscurivs MANSION.
"WAsHiNCroN. Oct 10. tAss.
Hon. STEVEN J. FIELD, Associate Justice
OF the supreme Court OF tho United States,
Washington. n C.-My DEAR SIR:-In April
| last Chief Justice Fuller. accompanied by Mr..
Justice Brewer handed me your resignation ~
associate Justice ~ the supreme court OF the
United States, to take effect December I, 1897.
In hereby accepting your resignation.
wish To express my deep regret that you feel
| compelled by advancing years TO sever your
active connection with the court OF which you
have 80 long been distinguished member
Entering upon your great ONCE In Nav,
scS. YOU will. on the first OF next. December
have served upon the bench for "a period OF 81
years aud seven monthS-a term longer than
that of any member Of the court since It's crca-
ton. and throughout period OF special Inn
portancc In the history OF the country. occupied
with ~ grave public questions have ever
confronted that tribunal for decision,
II congratulate YOU therefore most heartily
upon service OF such exceptional duration
fidelity and distinction. Nor can overlook
the fact that YOU received your commission
from Abraham Lincoln. and graciously spared
by kind Providence. have survived nll the
members OF the court Of his appointment
Upon your retirement both the bench and
the country will sustain great loss. but tho
high character aud great ability of your work
Will live and long he remembered not only by
your colleagues, but by your grateful fellow
countrymcn.
with personal esteem aud sincere best
wishes for your contentmcnt and happiness
during the period OF rest which you have 80
well earned. I am, dear sir.
Very truly yours
WILLIAM MCKINLEY"
MY judicial career covers many years OF SER
vice.
Having been elected "a member OF the SUI
prcme court OF California. assumed that Of
flee October ~. 1877. holding IL for live years
seven months and five days. the latter part of
the time being chief Justice.
ON the tenth day OF March is63 I was COM
miSsioncd 10y President Lincoln u Justice of tho
supreme court of the United states taking the
oath ~ oncc ON the twentieth day OF the fol-
lowing May.
When my resignation takes effect my period
OF service ON this bench viii have exceeded
that OF any of my predecessors while my en-
tire judicial life will have embraced more than
~ years. ] may be pardoncd for saying that
during NIL this period. long In comparison with
the brcNitv OF human life though In the retro
spcct IL has gone with the Swiftneus OF "a tale
that II told, have not Stunned to declare ia
every case coming before me for decision the
conclusions which my deliberate convictions
compelled me tn arrive ut. nv the console M ious
exercise OF such abilities ana requirements n 1
possessed.
II IL "A pleasant thing in my memory that my
appointment came from President Lincoln of
whose nppointccs | am the last survivor. Up
To that time there had been no representative
al a. fie 4 MI Ia.
risen in the west whose laws were those Of IN
other country. The land titles were from
spanish and Mexican grants. both OF which
were often overlaid by the claims Of the first
settlers To bring order out Of this confusion,
congress passed act providing for an
other seat on this bench. with the
Intention that H. should he filled by some one
familiar with these conflicting titles and with
the mining laws OF the coast and as 10 so hap
pencd that had framed the principal OF these
laws and was. moreover. chief Justice of Cali
fornia, IL was the wish Of the senators and
representatives OF that state. rs well ~ those
from Oregon. that should succeed To the new
position. At their request Mr. Lincoln sent
my name To the senate and the nomination was
unanimously confirmed
AZ the head of the court when became one
OF It's members, was the venerable Chief jus
tice fancy. and among ihc associate Justices
WIS Mr.. Justice Wayne. who had sat with
Chief Justice Marshal thus constituting "a link
between the past and future and ~ IL were
the life OF this court
During my incumbency three chief justices
and 10 associate Justice have pissed AWAY
leaving me precious remembcranccs OF com
mon labors and intimate and agreeable COM
The volumes OF our reports show that alone
have written go opinions. If 10 these are
added "a opinions ia the circuit court and 3GS
prepared while was on the supreme court OF
California, il will be seen that have voiced
the decision In l.Ot5 cases.
These many years have indeed been years OF
labor ana OF toll. but they have brought their
own reward and We can all join IN thanksgiv-
INK To the Author 81 our being that we have
been permitted to spend 30 much Of our lives
In the service Of our country
with profound respect ana regard. nm my
dear brethren
Very sincerely ana always yours.
STEPHEN J. FIELD
Following is the courts reply:
SUPHENE CoURr or rHE USrrED SrArEs.
WAsHfNGTOE. Oct ~. iSg7
Dear Brother Fcd-wc are profoundly
moved by the letter IN which you announce 10
your retirement from the bench The term
inatlOn 81 "a judicial career Of such length and
distinction can not fail 90 inspire among all
your cOuntrymen, and indeed. wherever tho
realm 81 Jurisprudence extends. a keen sense OF
loss which 10 your colleagues assume, The as
pect Of personal bereavement
For the intimacy necessarily incident to the |
conduct u work so constant. so cxacting. aud
Of such vital Importance aS ours. inevitably
draws us together by ties 81 the closest char
acter which can not be dissolved without emo
lions ~ deep sadness aud regret We feel |
that our parting involves not simply the dc. |
priyat'On Of the assistance afforded by your |
learning. your vast experience. and your earn
estneaS ~ advocacy 81 your convictions buf |
the severance 0f those relations which have
contributed 80 much 10 tighten tho hardest la
bors Of the road.
This " not the time place 20 dwell on the |
reputation YOU have achieved a. lufisf The /
record Is made up ana may safely be- committed |
20 the judgment Of pOstcrity.
Hut We can not part with you AZ On activt |
member ~ the court without the gervent cH- |
preston Of the hope thar you NAV BE- spared |
Tor many years 20 enjoy the TCposc you have 80 |
thoroughly enrned and 'he commentator be- |
stowed on good and faithful service
The Conference Was = Failure.
CHARLESTON. w. Va. Oct 1.-THE |
effort 20 adjust the difference between
the coal operators Of Kanawba valley
and their men hiss failed absolutely.