The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1901-11-06


when, in November, 1868, he was elected
member Of the House of Representa-
tives of the Confederate Congress, being
the youngest member of that body.
In 1865 he was elected to the United
States House of Representatives under
the reconstruction plan promulgated by
President Johnson. but he was not per-
mitted to take his seat. In 1868 he was
again candidate for Congress, but was
defeated at the general election, which
adopted the Candy Constitution. His
last appearance before the people was in
1872 when he was candidate for elector
on the Greeley ticket.
In March, 1873, he changed his resi-
dence TO Raleigh and became member
of the law firm of Merrimon. Fuller &
Ashe, his associates being Chief Justice
Augustus S. Merrimon and Captain Sam
uel A. Ashe. From the organization of
this partnership it became the leading
law firm of North Carolina. In 1879 Cap
tain Ashe withdrew and entered into
Journalism, and in 1888 Judge Merrimon
was appointed Associate Justice of the
Supreme Court to fill the vacancy occa-
stoned by the resignation of Mr. Justice
Ruffin. Judge Fuller had short time
previously associated with himself the
late George N. Snow, of Wake County
and continued his large and influential
practice until June 10. 1891. when Presi-
dent Harrison, at the solicitation of
Senator Ransom, representing practi-
cally the unanimous request of the Bar
of North Carolina, appointed him Judge of
the United States Court OF Private Land
Claims which position he held until his
death, October 90 1901
Judge Fuller was man of distinguish
ed presence and fine address, affable in
his manners. unusually courteous and a
delightful Conversations. uniting the
best characteristics of his French and
English blood. While leader at the bar
and universally acknowledged to be we'll
rounded lawyer he was conspiucously
superior in the nj 81 prius corent Few
men possess the capacity of developing
the plaintiffs cause by the manner of
drawing out his evidence as Judge Fuller
did. Usually when the plaintiff rested
the most ignorant juror had a full, clear
and comprehensive conception of the
plaintiffs cause of action Those who
knew him best and practiced law longest
with him declared that it was in this re-
spect he showed his greatest ability.
The populace regarded him as greatest
when he appeared at the bar as an advo-
cate, and was an advocate he was superb.
He played upon the human passions and
the human feelings at will. With a few
,caustic sentences Indignation was aroused
to it's highest pitch against the cause or
party that deserted it. When necessary
and proper his excavations and torrents
of invectives against the perjurer and
falsifier were rarely equalled. And yet
when the opportunity arose and the in
terest of the justice required it, he could
melt his audience into tears by his tend
er pathos and beauties of rhetoric.
He had high ideas of professional
ethics. always realizing that the lawyer
must never forget that he is a gentleman.
His beneficent influence upon the profess
sion will be lasting.
Your committee recommends the adop
tion Of the following resolutions:
Resolved by the Bar of the City of Raj
eigh, that in the death of Judge Fuller
the legal profession has lost one of it's
most distinguished members, the Bench a
capable and upright Judge, and the State
most loyal and patriotic citizen.
Resolved. That We lament the death of
Judge Fuller as personal bereavement,
because during the period of his active
practice as member of our local Bar,
he endeared himself to every member of
the profession in this city by his genial
manners and exalted character as man
and lawyer.
Resolved, That we give to the members
of his family our sincerest sympathy.
Resolved, That copy of these resolu-