The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-11-29


of the Supreme Court of the United
States, will have rounded out to-day
thirty years as member of the highest
tribunal in the country. While there is
rumor In circulation that he may re-
sign his position as member OF the
court in celebration of this anniversary,
there is no confirmation 10 be had, so
that too much dependence should not be
put in il.
Two years ago. when asked whether he
ever thought about retiring, Justice Har-
Ian said:
Il can only say that / have not as yet
determined what l shall do. could
have retired on full salary on June l.
1903. Now and then the thought comes
to me that I should retire in order that
might do certain work which / cannot
well do while on the bench; but when I
get close to a determination OF the ques-
ton the thought comes TO me that my
life would be shortened and perhaps be
come dreary II should quit the work 20
which 1 have become accustomed, and in
the doing of which I am most happy
SO l am undecided In the matter. II may
be that my judicial work may end only
with my life, unless in the meantime I
am informed by those near me and who
have the right TO advise me that my
duty is to give way 20 a younger man"
Robust at Seventy-four Years.
Born on June !. 1893. Justice Harlan is
now more than seventy-four years old,
but he carries his years with the air of
much younger man. Six feet two inches
in height he carries himself with the
erectness and confidence Of warrior
His massive head is fringed with closely
cropped soft hair of snowy wilderness. and
with kindly blue eyes set deep beneath
large brow, the impression created is that
q a friendly old lion, good humored
enough when well treated. but dangerous
when aroused. And that. in fact. is lust
about as you viii find him-on the bench
a judge who looks at everything with
coldly judicial eye. in private life a man
who loves 20 hear and is ready TO tell
good story.
Justice Harlan's ancestors on his IA
! theirs side were English Quakers They
came TO the United States about 1850 and
| settled in Chester County, Pa. His grand
father emigrated 10 Kentucky in INA. two
.
eEce. and with him went his brother.
Maj. Silas Harlan, VINO fell at the battle
of Blue Licks in 17S2. The present JUS
tees father was born in what is now
Boyle County KY, in 1890. and lived IN
that State until his death in 1863. His
mother, the daughter Of Col Richard
| Davenport, who emigrated from Virginia
in 1872, was also born in Kentucky.
| Justice Harlan's father became one of
the foremost members Of the bar OF Ken
| lucky From 1885 10 1879 he was a mem
1 Der OF the national House OF Repre-
/ sentatives. and declined a third election.
he was also secretary Of State. attorney
/ general and a member OF the legislature
/ of Kentucky.
Born In Kentucky.
| Justice Harlan himself was born in
/ Kentucky and received his early educa-
/ ton in that State. When still a young
man he made his first speech on public
/ questions. and canvassed the State as an
( eIector-at-large In behalf Of Fillmore and
/ DonelsOn.
( In 1861 Justice Harlan removed 70
/ Louisville, which offered a broader field
for the practice of his profession. He
! had hardly become settled before the war
!
came a colonel but after fifteen months
/ service in the Union army the death of
his father forced him to return to mis-
/ home.
! He ran in 1871 am 1875 as the Repub-
! lican candidate for governor of Ken
/ lucky. although he knew beforehand in
each case that he could not possibly be
| elected.
Secured Hayes Nomination.
In the Republican convention Of 1876
Justice Harlan was the leader Of the
Kentucky delegation, and il was by his
/ efforts that Hayes was nominated for
/ President by causing Bristow's name TO
| be withdrawn and switching the vote Of
the Kentucky delegation to him. This
move caused Blaine's defeat by seventeen
votes. A few months after Hayes in
/ auguratiOn John Marshall Harlan was
appointed 20 the Supreme Bench.