The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1906-05-29
JUSTICE BROWN RETIRES.
A Tribute to q Just judge Spread on the
Minutes OF the Supreme Court.

WASHINGTON, May 2S.-To-day marked
the retirement OF Associate Justice Brown
from the Supreme Court bench. after reach
ing the age of 20 years. Just before the
court adjourned for the term the fact was
announced by Chief Justice Fuller, who
ordered spread IN the minutes Of the court
the following correspondence:
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED Stairs,
May rs. 1905.
DEAR BROTHER BROWN: We cannot allow
your active pa participation in the work OF the
court 10 terminate with the adjournment Of
to-day without the expression OF our sincere
regret.
You came here with high reputation. Justly
deserved by a distinguished career OF many
years as a District Judge of the United States.
to which you have added in the fruits OF over
fifteen years OF eminent judicial labors in
this place.
or those who were on this bench when you
took your seat. Bradley and lamar and
Blatchford and Field and Gray have passed
on. and you have witnessed the coming and
going OF Shiras and jackson, one Of whom
happily survives.
In a certain sense what shadows we are
and what shadows we pursue. but not in
every sense, for what has been worthily ac-
oomplished will still live. and the memory OF
the Just Judge will not perish.
We assure you that those Of us who have
been longest with you. as well as those Of a
briefer association. alike concur n that af-
fectlonate regard and that deep respect
which your amiable disposition and the
great assistance in the administration OF
justice which your experience. learning and
ability have enabled you TO render. have
inspired.
We hope that the light which has COM
10 pass at the evening time of a we'll spent
life may long shine upon you. and that our
fraternal intercourse may be continued for
many years. Very cordially yours.
MslyilIG y: Fuller, ;, W; Psckham;
David J; Brewer, oliver Wendell Holmes.
l.. D. White. William r.. Day.
SUPREME COURT OF THE UNITED STATES,
MY DEAR BRETHREN: ] thank you for
your graceful and generous expressions Of
esteem. One OF the most delightful expert
ences Of my life has been the cultivation OF
the friendly companionships Of the past
fifteen days which ! would gladly continue
were it not that impaired eyesight and the
inertia which comes with three score and
ten admonishes me that my duty to the
country. TO you and to myself demands a
REIMBURSEMENT Of the burden / have borne
for thirty-one years. half OF which have
heen spent in your company. While my
resignation necessitates a severance Of our
official relations, / hope these relations may
continue socially 80 long as our lives are
spared TO lis.
] rejoice that I am leaving the court at a
time when it has never stood higher in the
OF the people. nor when more i'm
cases have been and still are being
presented for its consideration. The antago-
nisms. sometimes almost fierce. which were
developed during the earliest decades Of its
history. and that one time threatened to i'm
IL IA 40 N-.n-
and the now universal acquiescence in it's
decisions. though sometimes reached by a
bare majority OF its members. is a magnin-
cent tribute TO that respect for the law in
herent In the Anglo-SaXon race. and con-
tains within itself the strongest assurance OF
the stability Of our institutions, The services
by the Supreme Court in this con-
neotion have been OF incalculable value.
Again thanking you for your kindly interest
In my welfare, ] remain. with profound re-
spect. most sincerely yours.
HENRY. B. Brown.