The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-04-10

Stephen Johnson Field was born at
Haddam Conn. Nov. 4. 1916. lie was
the son OF David Dudley Field and one
of four brothers who became famous.
David Dudley. Cyrus W., and Henry NJ.
Field being the other members OF the
great quartet that made their names
known throughout the world. His early
boyhood was spent at Stockbridge, Mass.
At the age OF 13 Stephen ]. Field went
TO Smyrna. where his sister had married
a missionary, Rev Josiah Brewer. who
he'd undertaken an educational mission
TO the Greeks, and he there acquired a
knowledge Of Oriental languages. Re-
turning 10 this country. he later entered
Williams college. from which he was
graduated in 1887, at the head of his
class. lie then went 10 New York
where he entered the law office OF his
brother, David Dudley Field. He was
admitted TO the bar and became a MEM
Der of the firm, remaining as such for
seven years. In 1913 he went to Europe
and spent some time there travelling.
In November. 1Sf9. he sailed for San
Francisco. around Cape Horn, and en-
tered upon the practice OF law in the
Occidental metropolis. After a short
time he moved 10 Marysyille, a small
mining camp, and became one OF the
founders OF what afterwards grew to be
n thriving town. When the little city
was organized Justice Field was elect
ed the alcalde of the place. This Office
carried with IL the dignity OF mayor, and
at the same time imposed all the duties
OF the bench. Here the future jurist
dispensed Justice and made his name
widely known throughout the length and
breadth of the growing commonwealth.
He was fond of talking OF his early days
in California, -afia-eften said that the
happiest days of his life were when no
dealt out justice in Marysvile behind
a dry goods box.
lie was elected a member of the first
Legislature OF the state. He was in-
fluential i'm securing legislation favor
able TO miners, and aided in the passags
of laws regulating civil and criminal
procedure of the state. At the close OF
the session he returned 10 Marysvllle
and devoted six years to the practice OF
his profession He was elected Judge
of the supreme court OF California in
1887. for the term of six years. In 1850
Justice David S. Terry. In 1863 Presi-
dent Lincoln appointed his associate
Justice OF the supreme court OF the
United States, and he held that position
until his retirement on Dec. /. 1897.
During the latter years OF his serviot
on the bench he was in feeble health.
His term was the longest I'm the history
OF that tribunal The great chief JUS
tice, John Marshall were the ermine for
period extending ever "a years. 1t
was the ambition OF the late Justic Field
TO surpass TINS record, and he succeeded
i'm doing so by a few months. His
friends. fearing that the strain of hard
work would shorten his useful life ad-
vised him 10 retire from his srduous
duties. but with indefatigable persever-
ancc be clunr 10 his task until the latter
part OF ls9'. when I've had the satisfaction
of having fulfilled the ambition OF his
life.
During that term of more than n third
OF century. he was concerned in some Of
tho most important casscs ever passd
upon by the supreme court. Among the
prominent decisions was the famous
test oath case, iu which he gave The cast
ing vote. and wrote the opinion of the
court anuulnug the validity OF the iron
clad oath tits dissenting opinions In
the conhsCation cases. the legal tender
case and in the New Orleans slaughter
house ease, attracted the widest atten-
iion.
During his long service on the bench
he was also before the public eye In other
Way1 than as Judge OF the United
States supreme court. lie was mem.
ber OF the Haycs-Tllden electoral com.
mission in 1877. and voted with the Dem.
ocratic minority. In 1850 he received
g. votes fer The presidential nomination
- the Cincinnati Democratic convention
on the hrst ballot I'm 1873 he was ap-
poin'oI hy che sovcrnor OF the state ~
CalnOru'I rur of Tho commission 10 OK
anime tn' code of laws of that state.
Iu 1855 Williams cougc conferred upon
him the fcgrce ot IL. u. and I'm 1850
tho rcreuts nf the University OF Califor-
MIA made h.n professor OF law in
that ireu.uIoo