The Bourbon news. [volume] (Paris, Ky.) 1895-19??, 1897-10-19
FIELDS RESIGNATION
Accepted BY President Mckinley With
Kindly Expressions of Regard.
Justice Field Resigns Because of the Duties
of His once Becoming too Arduous for
His Strength-His Judicial Career
Covers Many Years OF. Service.

WASHINGTON, Oct. 15.-The following
letter was given out Thursday after.
noon:
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 transmitted my resignation to the
president to take effect on the first day of De-
cember next, and this he has accepted, with
kindly expressions of regard, as will be seen
from a copy of his letter, which is as follows:
EXECUTIVE MANSION,
''WASHINGTON. Oct. 10, 1897
Hon STEVEN J. FIELD. Associate Justice
OF the Supreme Court of the United states,
washington D. C-MY DEAR SIR:-In April
last Chief Justice Fuller. accompanied by Mr..
Justice Brewer, handed me your resignation as
associate justice of the supreme court OF the
United States, to take effect December !. 1897
L In hereby accepting your resignation, 1
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 so long been distinguished member.
Entering upon your great Office in May,
1863, you will, on the first of next December,
have served upon the bench for period or 81
years and seven months-a term longer than
that of any member of the court since its crea-
tion and throughout period OF special I'M
portance in the history of the country, occupied
with as grave public questions as have ever
confronted that tribunal for decision.
II congratulate you therefore most heartily
upon a service of such exceptional duration
fidelity and distinction. Nor can L overlook
the fact that you received your commission
from Abraham Lincoln, and graciously spared
by kind Providence, have survived all the
members of the court of his appointments
the country will sustain a 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
wishes for your cOntentment and happiness
during the period of rest which you have so
well earned 1 am. dear sir,
Very truly yours,
WILLIAM MCKINLEY
Ny judicial career covers many years of SER
vice.
Having been elected member of the SUI
preme court of California. 1 assumed that Of
fee October 10, 1857, holding it for five years,
seven months and five days, the latter part Of
the time being chief justice.
On the tenth day of March, 1868. was COM
missioned by President Lincoln justice of the
supreme court of the United States. taking the
oath of Office on the twentieth day of the fol-
lowing May.
When my resignation takes effect my period
of service on this bench will have exceeded
that of any of my predecessors, while my en-
tire judicial life will have embraced more than
40 years. I may be pardoned for saying that
during all this period, long in comparison with
the brevity of human life. though In the retro
Spect 1t has gone with the swiftness Of tale
that is told, I have not Stunned to declare in
every case coming before me for decision the
conclusions which my deliberate convictions
compelled me to arrive at, by the conscientious
exercise of such abilities and requirements as
possessed.
1t is pleasant thing in my memory that my
appointment came from President Lincoln, Of
whose appointeeS I am the last survivor. Up
to that time there had been no representative
here of the Pacific coast. A new empire had
risen in the west whose laws were those of an
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 it should be filled by some one
familiar with these conflicting titles and with
the mining laws of the coast and as it so hap
pened that had framed the principal of these
laws and was, moreover, chief justice of Cali
fornia, it was the wish of the senators and
representatives of that state, as we'll as 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. =
At the head of the court, when became one
of its members, was the venerable Chief JUS
tice fancy, and among the associate justices
was Mr.. Justice Wayne. who had sat with
Chief Justice Marshal, thus constituting q link
between the past and future, and, as it were.
binding into unity nearly an entire century of
the life of this court.
During my incumbency three chief justices
and IS associate justice have passed away,
leaving me precious rememberanccs of COM
mon laborS and intimate and agreeable COM
panionship. =
The volumes of our reports show that alone
have written $40 opinions If to these are
added 81 opinions in the circuit court and 365
prepared while was on the supreme court of
California, it will be seen that have voiced
the decision in 1.042 cases.
These many years have indeed been years of
labor and of toll, but they have brought their
own reward; and we can all join in thanksgiv-
ing to the Author of our being that we have
been permitted to spend so much Of our lives
in the service of our country.
With profound respect and regard am nv
dear brethren,
Very sincerely and always yours,
STEPHEN J. FIELD.
Following is the courts reply:
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES, !
WASHINGTON, Oct. b. 1897 (
Dear Brother Ficld-We are profoundly
moved by the letter in which you announce to
us your retirement from the bench. The term
1nation of q judicial career of such length and
distinction can not fail to inspire among al
your countrymen, and indeed, wherever the
realm of Jurisprudence extends, keen sense Of
loss which to your colleagues assumes the as
pect OF a personal bereavement.
For the intimacy necessarily incident to the
conduct OF work so constant, so exacting and
OF such vital Importance as ours, inevitably
draws US together by tics of the closest char.
acter which can not be dissolved without emo
lions OF deep sadness and regret. We fee
that our parting involves not simply the de.
pr1vation of the assistance afforded by YOU
| learning, your vast experience, and your earn
estness in advocacy of your convictions, bu
the severance Of those relations which have
| contributed so much to tighten the hardest la
| DorS of the road.
| This is not the time or place to dwell on tn,
reputation you have achieved as a jurist Tn
record is made up and may safely be commiteC
TO the judgment of pOSterity