Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1907-12-11
RumOred That Judge Harlan
Will Leave United States
Supreme Court
Gould Have Retired on Full
Pay In 1908, But Is
Fond of Work

Washington, Dec. o. Up ones more
has cropped the rumor that John
Marshall Harlan, associate justice OF
the supreme court Of the United
States. is about to resign from the
bench. The report gained circulation
again this week on the occasion Of
/ the celebration Of the thirtieth an
niyersary of thel venerable jurist's
ascension to his present place. 1t is
lacking In official confirmation, hut
| it has more Of the appearance of
truth than its predecessors.
Justice Harlan, White.haired but
bright-eyed, erect and vigorous despite
his seventy four years, is noncommit-
tai. He shook his head indulgently
when asked pointedly if the current
stories were true.
can only say that have not vet
determined what shall do he said.
II could have retired on full salary
on June i, 1903. Now and then the
thought comes to me that II should
retire In order that might do certain
work which / cannot well do while on
the bench; but when / get close to
a determination OF the question it
occurs to me that my life would be
shortened and perhaps become dreary
if should quit the work to- which j
have become accustomed and inN the
doing OF which / am most happy.
& SO you see am undecided In the
matter. 1t may be that my Judicial
work NAV end only with my life, I'M.
less in the meatims I am informed by
those near me and who have the
right to advise me, that my duty is
to, give way to a younger man. I.
The outside duties to which JUS
tice Harlan refers. and which enter
SO strongly into his consid eration OF
possible retirement, have aroused the
curiosity Of his friends II is known
that the venerable jurist Yields a
graceful pen and he may have lean-.
ings toward rounding out his ripe
career by entering the field Of litera-
fure. II is generally believed, how
ever, that he contsmplates rather the
devotion Of his remaining years to-
teaching the law, in which he is so.
deeply versed. 95l sE5
For many years Justice Harlan has
lectured regularly IN the department.
OF law OF the George Washington uni
versity. When the university recog-
nized its departments, creating the
college at the political sciences. JUS
ztice Harlan consented to take the
chair OF American constitutional law.
His colleague, Justice David J. Brewer,
also is a member of the faculty, oc-
cupying the chair OF international
law.
Justice Harlan has shown the great
est interest in the, development sof
embryo Daniel Websters. His lectures
have become a. feature of the uniyer-
sity law and diplomatic courses, and,
rain or shine. the aged jprist never
disappoints his classes. His enthus-
iasm in the university work is point
led out as one reason why he may be
DESTROYS Of passing along TO the COM
ing generation OF lawyers the ripe
knowledge he has gained on the SUI
pTeme bench.
Justice Harlan ascended the bench
in 1877, when he was fourty -four years
OF age. His appoi ntnlent came ais the
direct result of his action In the repub.
lican national convention Of the pre-
ceding year He was at the head 81
the Kentucky delegation and ait a
critical period in,the proceedings he
through about the nomination Of Hayes
by causing the elimination Of Bristow
lsWitehing his delegation to the Hayes
standard Blaine. by reason OF this
/ was defeated for the nomination BY
seventeen votes.
1 Within few months after the Id
auguratIon 81 President Hayes, the
chief executive rewarded Mr.. Harlan
/ by his appointment He has been an
honored and conspicuous member oi
the tribunal ever since. 81.