The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1902-08-12
PRESIDENT
H0NORS BAY
STATE MAN
Oliver Wendell Holmes to Sue
ceed Justice Gray on the
Supreme Court Bench.

Oyster Bay. N. Y. Aug. i2.-President
Roosevelt has appointed Hon. Oliver
Wendell Holmes. chief justice Of the
supreme court OF Massachusetts,. 10 be
an associate justice OF the United States
supreme court. vice Mr.. Justice Gray.
resigned.
The resignation of Justice Gray was
due TO III health. Several months ago
he suffered a stroke OF apoplexy, which
some time later was followed by another.
He has not appeared on the bench since
he was stricken the first time His ad-
yanced age-4 years-told against his re-
covery with serious force Realizing
that he probably never would be able
again 10 assume the place which he so
long had filled with distinguished ability
and honor, he decided short time ago
TO tender his resignation to the presi-
dent. With the exception OF Mr.. Justice
Harlan, he served on the bench OF the
United States supreme court longer than
any Of his present colleagues. He was
appointed an associate justice by Presi-
dent Arthur on Dec. 10. 1881. his service
extending, therefore. through period OF
nearly q years.
SKETCH OF HIS SUCCESSOR.
Judge Holmes. whom the president has
selected as Mr.. Justice Gray's success
or. is one the most distinguished law
yers and jursts OF Massachusetts. His
career on the bench, particularly as chief
Justice OF the Massachusetts supreme
court. has attracted wide attention. Like
Justice Gray, he Is a native Of Massachu-
setts and Is the son OF the lato DIR.
Oliver Wendell Holmes.
Justice Gray's resignation was not al
together unexpected. 1t was recognized
that he would be unable TO resume his
duties on tho bench and the general I'M
preston was that he would resign at or
before the beginning of the next term OF
court I'm October.
Justice Gray has been at Nahant,
Mass. his summer home. for some time.
During his long career on the bench OF
the supreme court Justice Gray delivered
number Of important opinions His
speciality was will cases. although he
participated I'm the consideration OF many
OF the important Issues which came be-
fore the court. Justice Gray was with
the majority of the court In the de-
cisions I'm the income tax cases and the
insular cases
Another important case OF recent date
was that growing out of the Spanish
American war. In which Justice Gray
decided against the right of the govern
ment to seize certain fishing smacks,
States authorities believed were giving
aid and assistance to tho enemy.
Judge Gray was always an ardent Re-
publican. Like his successor In office. he
was chief justice OF the supreme court
Of Massachusetts, before his appointment
TO the United States supreme court.
HE WILL ACCEPT.
Beverly, Mass, Aug 12.-Chief Justice
Oliver Wendell Holmes was informed OF
his appointment TO the United States SUI
preme bench by the Associa ted Press at
his summer home In Beverly Farms.
He will accept the honor.
He said that probably his new duties
will not compel him to relinquish his
summer home at Beverly Farms. but
further than that he did not caro- TO
talk. He did add, however. that he was
greatly pleased that the appointment
should come to him.