Deseret evening news. [volume] (Great Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1867-1920, 1897-10-14
JUSTICE FIELD RETIRES.


washington, Oct. HIT was an
nounced at the Supreme Court today
that Justice Stephen j. Field of Cali
tornla had notified President McIiin-
Icy Of his intention to retire as a mem
Der of the Court and had Informed his
colleagues Of this fact. The members
4 the Court after adjournment at 4
o'clock today. viii call in a body on the
retiring Justice to pay him their re-
spects. 1t is expected that his success
sor will be nominated by the Presi-
dnet after the converting of Congress
in December and that Attorney Cen
eral McKenna, also of California, viii
be named for the place.
Justice Field, it is learned notified
the President last April of his inten-
ton to retire. but the President did
not acknowledge it until oct Q.
LETTER TO THE COURT.
Washington, oct. 1.-THE following
letter was given out this afternoon:
Supreme Court 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 become
too arduous FOR my strength. trans
mitted my resignation to the Presi-
dent, to take effect on the first day
of December next, and this he has &c
Ccpted with kindly expressions of re-
gard. as will be seen from u copy Of
mis- letter. which is as follows:
Executive Mansion,
Washington, ID. c., Oct. Q. 1897.
Hon. stephen j. Field, Associate Jus
tlce of the Supreme Court of the
United States. Washington. ID. c.:
MY Dear Slr-In April last Chief
Justice Fuller, accompanied by MIR.
Justice Brewer handed me your res
ignatlon as associate Justice Of the
supreme Court of the United States,
to take effect December /. 1897.
In hereby accepting your resigna-
tlon, | 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
been so long a distinguished mem
her.
Entering upon your great office in
May, 1868. you Will. on the first of
next December, have served upon this
bench for period Of thirty-four years
and seven months, term longer than
that of any member of the Court since
its creation, and throughout u period
of special Importance in the history
of the country. occupied with as grave
public questions as have ever con-
fronted that tribunal for decision.
Il congratulate you therefore. most
heartily upon n service of such excep-
tlonal duration, fidelity and distinc-
ton.
Nor can 1 overlook that you re-
ceived your commission from Abraham
Lincoln, and graciousy spared by a
kind Providence. have survived all the
members of the Court of his appoints
| ment
Upon your retirement both the
bench and the country will sutnin n
great 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
! fellow countrymen.
With personal esteem and sincere
best wines for your contentment, and
| happiness during the period OF rest
| which you have so well earned, / am
| dear sir, very truly yours,
WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Much judicial care covers many
years of service. Having been elected
n member OF the supreme court Of Cal
| ifornia. l assumed that office Oct. -,
1851. holding 1t for Ave years seven
| months and five days, the latter part
of the time being chief Justice.
| "On the 10th of March, 1863, I was
| commissioned by President Lincoln a
| justlce of the Supreme Court Of the
| United States. taking the oath of Office
on the goth day of the following May.
when my resignation takes effect
my period Of service on this bench
will have exceeded thnt of any OF my
predecessors, while my entire judicial
| life Will have embraced more than
| forty years. | may be pardoned Tor
saying that during all this period, long
in comparison with the brevity OF hui
man life, though in the retrospect, II
has gone with the swiftness OF % ta!e
that is told, I have not Stunned 70
declare in every case coming before
me for decision the conclusions Wh,eh
NV deliberate convictions compelled
me to arrive at, by the conscientious
| rvercise of such abilities and require