The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1907-09-10
TRIBUTE TO JUDGE BINGHAM
Justice Gould Adiourns Court Out
of Respect to Late Jurist.
Retired Chief Judge OF District SUI
preme Court Passes Away
at Union, w. Va.

On motion Of Attorney Henry z. Davis
Justice Gould, presiding in the Supreme
Court Of the District Of Columbia. yes
terday adjourned court out of respect tc
the memory Of the late Edward F. Bing-
ham. retired chief justice Of the court
who died at Union, ". Va
Some day this week time will be de-
voted to tributes from the local bench
and bar to the memory Of the dead jurist
Justice Edward Franklin Bingham was
Of New England birth, passed his early
life and most of his official life in the
State of Ohio; came 20 Washington and
assumed the duties Of chief justice of
the Supreme Court Of the District Of Co
lumbia in 1sSs. and retired from the posi-
ton in 1893. He was an able lawyer and
juTist Of long experience, and a man of
scholarly attainments He was pre-
eminently or the judicial mind. and the
bestowal Of his ripe judgment, acumen,
and experience upon the litigations in this
jurisdiction has been regarded as a par
ticularly bright chapter in the jurispru-
dence OF the Capital City.
40 f'sAS J-'- "A 81 ~ NSN 1DA4|nAnr - AA4~
gust 3. 1S2S His early education was IN
the schools % his native State. He was
graduated a Marietta College, Ohio, in
the class of 40 Prior to his graduation
he took up the study Of law. AID made his
application and was admitted 70 the bar
Of the Supreme Court Of Ohio in May,
1850
Judge Bingham entered upon the prac-
rfrp Of his TrFfacGf0rr Of Il A-ff Ohio
where he was known as an active attor-
ney from 1850 10 1851. His wide expert
ence gained in Vinton County. and his
ambition to reach more distinguished
and lucrative practice. led him 10 COlum-
bus IN 1851. where ne remained until 1855
He was prosecuting attorney Of VintOn
County from 1850 to 1855 solicitor of the
city OF Columbus from 1861 to ISL, and
member Of the legislature of Ohio from
1856 to 1857
Judge Bingham sought judicial honors
In 1915, and was elected judge Of the Court
Of Common Pleas. Two years later he
was made judge OF the District Court OF
the Fifth judicial district Of Ohio. where
he served with distinction until 1887. He
then spent quiet year in the practice Of
his profession. He was the Democratic
candidate for justice Of the Supreme Court
Of Ohio in 1881, and after an exciting
campaign went down to defeat with his
party in the autumn Of that year.
This defeat turned Judge Bingham away
from the higher judicial field and from
politics to his profession. He acquired
valuable knowledge and experience in the
intervening years. until his friends pushed
MS name for the vacant position on the
Supreme bench in the District OF Column
bia In 1888, 20 which he was appointed.
taking the oath OF Office February 3 of
that year. In 1858. on account Of ad-
vancing age and declining health. he re-
tired from the bench. and sought relief
from a long and active career in the quiet
Of private life. He has since lived In re-
trement, much Of the time in this city. at
1907 II street northwest.
Judge Bingham married Susannah F
Cunning, Of Ohio, November q. 1880
almost Immediately after being admitted
to the ba. She died August >, 1856 In
August, 1888. Judge Bingham returned
from Washington to Ohio and married
Melinda Caperton Patton. who survives
him, His body rests in Green Lawn Gem
etery, at Columbus, Ohio