The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1899-04-10

called upon 70 administer justice. punish
crime and TO enforce police regulations
until relieved by officers under the new
government"
He was elected a member OF the First
legislature Of the state, and was made
member Of that body. He was influential
In securing legislation favorable 70 the
miners, and aided in The passage of laws
regulating the civil and criminal proceed
ure of the state. At the close Of the ses-
sion he returned to Marysville and devoted
six years TO the practice OF his profession.
He was elected a Judge OF the supreme
court of California in 1851, for the term OF
six years In 1853 he became chief justice.
succeeding Chief Justice David ). Terry
In 1863 President Lincoln appointed him
associate justice Of the suprenses court or
the United States. and he held that posi-
t.on until his retirement. on December /.
1897.
During the latter years OF his service on
the bench he was In very feeble health.
His term was the longest In the history or
the tribunal The great chief justice. John
Marshall wore the ermue for period
extending over thirty-four years II was
the ambition of the tate Justice Field 10
uz.s the record. ard he succeeded in do
tnu 40 by a few months. HIS friends.
fearing that the strain Of hard work would
shorten his usefulness advised him TO re.
tire from his ariuSus duties But WITH
tndefatigabie perseverance he e.ang 20 his
task untl the lastec part OF 1897. when ne
had the satisfaction Of having fulfilled the
ambition OF his life.
During that term Of more than third
Of a century he was concerned IN some
os the most important cases ever passed
uuou by the supreme court. Among the
prominent decisions was the famous test
oath case. in which bc gave the casting
vote and wrote the opinion OF the court.
arnuIllug the validity Of the ''ironclad
oath" HIS dissenting opinions in the con-
flseation cases. the legal tender cases and
in tNe New Orleans slaughter house case,
attracted the widest attention
During his long service on the bench
hr also was before the public eye in other
wavs than as Judge OF the supreme court
of the United States. lie was member
~ the Hayes -Til3en electoral commission
IN ls-1. and voted with The Democrats. In
lSSe he received s. votes for the presiden-
rial nomination NJ the Cincinnati Demo-
cratic, convention on the frat ballot. In
,s7a he was appointed by the governor OF
,he state Of California one of the com
mission 10 examine the code Of laws OF
,ha: state. In 1853 williams college con-
serres ,can him the degree OF LII. u. and
IN lssa the regents OF tne University Of
california made him . professor Of laws
in thar institution.
In lSSg one o! ths most sensational events
- a remarkably active ard vigorous ca
reer. largely passed in a rev country in
process ct Development from a pioneer
state 70 A highly civilized community.
brought his personality v;v:ily before the
ns,bls. Sarah A,hea Hiil-Terry had
brought a famous suit against ex Senator
sharon. California muiti-nilllonaire.
Justice Field was on the bench The out
come az tAe case was uufavoraele "a ihe
taatntsr. and engen3ere n her feelings
- hatred 70 tae iarlsi THIS cuiTniGafed in
her attempt 20 chastise the aged iVrist IN
tn. dining han OF aepot eating house al
fathrap, cal. & railway t1rctlon.
Judge Terry. who hai been her attorney
in the sutt against Sharon. nnJ whG af-
tervari marrl.4 her. ln,effered and waeu
T. seemed aha. he was attempting 10 te
violence to Justice Fsel3's person. David
SasIe. - deputy marshal Grew 4 revolver
sna stso, an1 kl..sd Judge Terry. >agie
vas acqstte3.
There waS. however. for many years in
.es.se bitterness Between tAc friends 4 the
tvo factl0s.s. ansi fa~ this reason Justice
F4s.Hs family Discouraged Jhe discussion
- Ca'ssraFa topscs 81 iae perusal u Cali
scsrla newsgsap gers.
Justice Fields retirement from tae ~
rrerre ceers tereH oecu@Fe; on December
8. fsg-. ana Atterney t'e0srsf Mcksnas. -
California. SHORTLY afterwsri was aami
rstcsi 20 saecee2 tsru sac 1en3are8 hsz
resignation e Ap~9. }.a-- 10 fske eTsct
December :, Tne petssse.s N hts .st:er
~s arrep epss0re af ti7e sicuN'toa s8ias
'f<poa Tocy retirement tsayh $nN heuca
era sne raaEfry e'3 sustain great loss
sas .ec stvA ctzFscser ssa great sanity
- y0sr @efk ~it }avt 49, jeax be rs-
rsegsseyc8 rof e0iY ay .ea- cgleaseiss.
81; by year sra;c:o. fe,.ow -coae - s. ssass- -
Ths 9ast flsssee rra3c tae formal ar-
ap9norrrsnf t3 nts co5easaes - fae bsneh
sn q iaeg lssies * teh4ex hls ewn ara t5e
ses.rt-s h1stsry ssar,ns hss extsaaes ssgs-
oe la nae r&r- re szsa
~ - q E.ea-ssnt tasne = ms memory