The Washington times., 1906-03-08
JUSTICE BROWN
RESIGNS SEAT
Ueaves Supreme Court Be.
cause OF Failing Eyesight.
RETlRES ON FULL PAY
sKnox Refuses Presidents Offer to
BE Made Browns
"a 8 Successor.
RETlRES ON FULL PAY

Henry Billings Brown, associate JUS
tce of the Supreme Court of United
states and one of the country's most
distinguished jurists. bss resigned and
viii retire from the bench in the fall.
The trouble with his eyes, from which
Justice Brown has suffered for several
years past, is the cause of his impend-
ing resignation,
A number of times during these years
of suffering it has been announced that
his retirement was at hand but on each
of these occasions a change for the
better in Justice Browns condition has
caused an alteration in his plans. Now,
however, he has reached a final and
definite determination. and has notified
the President.
Knox Refuses Place.
The President offered the place to
Senator Knox of Pennsylvania, but the
offer was declined. Tempting as a seat
on the bench of the Supreme Court is
20 any lawyer, who holds high ideals
of his profession. Senator Knox found
strength to decline 1t. He preferred the
activities of life at the bar and in the
Senate
Justice Brown will retire on full pay.
He has served ten years-and five years
more-and has reached the age OF
seventy. The conjunction of these cir
cumstances entitle him to the reward.
he is induced to accept it by the con-
dition of hfs eyesight. which he fears
VIII be lost should his arduous judicial
Iabors continue. There has been no
impairment. in any other respect, Of
his mental or physical faculties.
A DISTINGUISHED Career
Justice Brown was born in Smith Lee.
Mass. March 2, 1886. and received an
arts degree from Yale He received
his professional education at the Yale
and Harvard law schools. and began
the practice of law in Wayne county.
Mich. He was a deputy marshal and
assistant United States attorney for the
eastern district OF Michigan until 1865
when he was appointed to the bench
OF the State circuit co5Et He practiced
law in Detroit. afterward. and until 1875
when he was made district Judge Of
the United States courts for the east
ern district of Michigan He held this
office. when in 1886. he was appointed
by President Harrison an associate JUS
tice of the Supreme Court and unanI-
mously confirmed by the Senate.
Fuller Visits President.
Chief Justice Fuller and Associate
Justice Harlan visited the President to-
day. They would not make known the
nature of their visit, but it was prob
ably in connection with the retirement
OF Justice Brown.
Both Chief Justice Fuller and Justice
Harlan have reached the age of retire
ment, but it is not probable that either
will resign for some time, as they are
in usually good health
There seems to be general opinion
that should Chief Justice Fuller retire
IN the next two or three years the
President will give the position to Sec
retary Taft 1t is understood among
Mr. Taft's close personal friends that it
Is his ambition TO be chief Justice of the
Supreme Court.
1t is reported today on good authority
mat the position on the bench which
Will be vacated by the retirement of
Justice Brown has been rendered to
Secretary Taft, and that his decision is
now awaited.