The L'Anse sentinel., 1898-09-24
Life of Jndge Cooley.

Thomas Mcintyre Cooley had had dis
tingulshed career In Jurisprudence. mount
Ing step by step TO an exalted rank among
legal writer's and gaining the highest ap-
pointments on the bench of the state OF
Michigan.
The eminent jurist was born In Attica.
n. Y, January G, 1924 He removed TO
Michigan In the year of his majority,
and two years later was admitted to the
bar.
The first tribute to his genius came IN
1857. when at the age of 80 he was appointed
to compile and publish the laws OF the
state. and In 1858 he was made reporter
OF the decisions of the supreme court. He
held this position for several years. dur
Ing which time he published eight vol
umes of reports followed by digest of all
the decisions of the state. The University
of Michigan organized It's law department
In 1853 and the young lawyer was chosen
one of Its professors. Later he became
dean of the faculty and held the position
until 1885, after which he was for three
years professor of constitutional history
In the same university. lie was also lee
turer for three years on governmental sub
1ects at Johns Hopkins university. Balti-
more.
During these years of pedagogy he was
holding distinguished judiciary positions.
In 1864 he was appointed to fill a vacancy
on the bench of the supreme court of the
state and retained the position for q years.
being part of the time chief justice.
The United States circuit court at Chi
cago made him receiver for the Wabash
Railway company In 1887. lie took the man
agement OF the road upon himself, but re-
signed II after a few months service TO
accept an appointment on the interstate
commerce commission for the regulation
of railroads. He took his commission at
the earnest solicitation of President Cleve-
land and was made chairman of his asso-
ciates. holding the Office for four years.
Among the works published by Judge
Cooley are The Constitutional Limitations
Which Rest Upon the Legislative Power
of the States Of the American Union" In
1868. and which has gone through several
editions; an edition of Blackstone's Com
mentaries," In 1870; and of Story's Com
mentaries on the Constitution of the United
States. with Additional Chapters on the
New Amendments" in 1873; Law OF Tax
ation,' In 1876: Law of Torts," In 1879;
General Principles of Constitutional Law
In the United States" In 1880. and "Michi-
gan, History of Governments" In 1Ss5.l
Governors Proclamation.
Gov. Pingree issued the following
proclamation:
Judge Thomas Mcintyre Cooley died at
his residence in Ann Arbor this morning.
He was a years Of age. He was born in
Attica, N. Y, January G. 1924. He had been
a resident of Michigan since 1913 He was
tHTee tunes tIeCleu Justice OF the supreme
court of Michlgan--in 1864, 1869 and 1877. His
work on the supreme bench extended
through Al volumes of the Michigan re-
ports.
"He was one Of the -four. judges who in the
earlier daysHaid broad and deep the foun-
daton of those principles of local self
government which to-day give to the peo-
pie of this state that great bulwark of free
institutions, a right inherent In the people
and underlying our form of government.
"He saw a state develop into great COM
monwealth. His works as a law writer and
his published opinions are part of the
states history. He fearlessly did his duty.
by party passion or prejudice
OF any kind. A common people mourn his
loss. Like n shadow, thrown softly and
swectly from passing cloud, death fell
upon him
"In recognition of a general sentiment
and as a slight but fitting tribute to the
memory of a great and good man, deem 1t
proper that observance be made on the day
OF his funeral.
Therefore, II is hereby directed that
days on the capitol building be placed at
half mast until after his burial. and that
on Wednesday. the 18th day of September.
the day appointed for the funeral. all or
dlnary business in the executive chamber
and In the other departments of the state
government " suspended"