The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1907-12-29
He Has Issued the Statement
That He Has Not Yet Deter
mined Just What Course He
Will Pursue in the Matter.
PROMINENT FIGURE IN
WASHINGTON CIRCLES.
For Many Years He Has Lee
tured in CoIIeges-On Bench
Since 1877 or Since He
Was a. Years of Age.

Washington, Dec. 2S.-Up once more
has cropped the rumor that Marshall
Harlan. associate justice Of the su-
preme court of the United States, is
about to resign from the bench. The
report gained circulation again this
week on the occasion of the celebra-
ton of the thirtieth anniversary of
the venerable jurist's ascension to his
present place. 1t is lacking in offi-
cial confirmation, but 1t has more OF
the appearance of truth than it's pred
eceSsOrs.
Justice Harlan, white-haired but
bright-eyed, erect and vigorous, de-
spite his "a years, is noncommit-
tai. He shook his cad indulgently
| when asked pointedly if the current
| stories were true.
Il can only say that have not yet
determined what | shall do he said.
4 could have retired on full salary
on June l, 1908. Now and then the
thought comes to me that | should re-
tire in order that l might do certain
work which | cannot well do while on
the bench; but when l get close to a
determination of the question it oc-
ours to me that my life would be
shortened and perhaps become dreary
if l should quit the work to which
have become accustomed and in the
doing of which I am most happy.
so, you see, I am undecided in the
matter. 1t may be thar my judicial
work may end only with my life. un
less in the meantime l am informed
by those near me and who have the
right to advise me that my duty Is &c
give way to a younger man.
The outside duties to which Justice
Harlan refers, and which enter Sc
strongly into his consideration of pos
sible retirement, have aroused the
curiosity of his friends. 1t is known
that the venerable jurist wields {
graceful pen and he may have lean
ings toward rounding out his ripe ca
reer by entering the field of literature
It is generally believed, however, tha
he contemplates rather the devotion
of his remaining years to teaching thu
law, in which he is SO deeply versed
For many years Justice Harlan ha
lectured regularly in the Department
of Law of the George Washington
: University When the university re
: organized its departments, creating
= TIE College of the Political Sciences
Justice Harlan consented to take TIL
char of American Constitutional Law
His colleague, Justice David j. Brew
l er, al.o is a member of the faculty, OF
, cupyinr the chair of Internationa
law.
i Justice Harlan has shown the grea
D est interest in the development of en-
2 bryo Daniel Websters. His lecture
have become a feature Of the univel
. sity law and diplomatic courses, ant
rain or shine, the aged iurist neve
disappoints his classes. His entbu'
Y iasm in the university work is pointe
0 out as one reason why Re may b
f desirous of passing along to the con
y ing generation of lawyers the rip
II knowledge he has gained on the 81
l. preme bench.
S Justice Harlan aScended the benc
in 1877, when he was forty-four veal
o of age. His appointment came as tn
G direct result of his action in the r
/ publican national convention of tn
d preceding year. He was at the hea
e of the Kentucky delegation and at
Y critical pc riod in the proceedings
brought about the nomination (
Hayes by causing the elimination
n Bristow, switching his delegation
the Haynes standard. Blaine, by re
son of this, was defeated for the nor
y ination by seventeen votes.
e Within a few months after the i
n auguration of President Hayes. II
, chief executive rewarded Mr. Harla
by his appointment. He has been q
- honored and conspicuous member
ID the tribunal ever since.