Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-11
JUSTICE LOUIS E. McCoMAs.

/ Comas of Hagerstown, and two sisters,
Mrs. Emma Wallace. widow of James
Wallace of Cambridge, and Mrs. Julia e.
McComas, widow of Frederick +. Me
ComaS of HagcrStOwn, survive Justice M
COmaS.
Cause of Sorrow.
The sad news of Justice McComas'
death was rapidly spread throughout the
city Yesterday, and universal sorrow was
expressed for the dead jurist, who had a
host of friends here. Later in the day d
large number of kilograms arrived. and
many of his friends called. His career in
Congress, both as II member of the House
OF Representatives and as United States
senator, had brought him into close touch
with the citizens of the District lie had
always shown great deal OF interest IN
all matters affecting the District. and had
been a warm advocate of projects for
local improvements of all kinds. The
members of the bar with whom he was
brought in close contact had the highest
respect for MIN as a man and jurist, and
his career as judge had only tended to in
crease his high standing IN the com
munity.
Justice McComas was regarded as a
man Of great legal attachments. and his
industry was untirIng. The duties OF the
justices OF the Court of Appeals are deli
cate and trying. The court consisted OF
three members, Mr.. Grief Justice Shepard,
Mir Justice McComaS and Mr.. Justice
Robb The latter has been il during the
summer. and is still ut his former home
at Bellows Falls, Vt, not having recoV-
cred sufficiently 20 permit his return to
the bench. Justice McComas. although
not fully recovered in his strength, took
his place on the bench with great energy
and began the work before him. Although
MIR. Chief Justice Shepard volunteered 10
relieve him until lac was stronger, he de
cided to proceed with his duties on the
bench and also as lecturer on internatiOn-
al law at the School of Law, Georgetown
University.
Native of Maryland.
Louis Emory McComas was born in
Washington county. Md, October %, 1916,
and had but recently passed his sixty
first birthday. His education was begun
in the public schools of Williamsport. and
in 1860 he attended ST James College,
where he continued TO study until 1853.
In that year he went to Dickinson Col
lege. from which he was graduated In
1856. He then entered upon the study of
law in Hagerstown. in the Office of Chief
Justice Alvey. From the time he was ad-
mtted to The bar he came into promi-
nenCc as q rising attorney, and. taking
lively interest in Politics. he attracted
attention as one Of the younger men who
was bound to assume an important role
in the affairs of the state He was al
ways strict party man in the ranks of
the republicans
In 1870 he was nominated for the House
of Repres. natives, but was defeated by
his democratic opponent. who was cct-
ed by a bare majority of fourteen. For
four years after that he devoted his
time strictly to his profession, only TAX
ing such Interest in political matters as
concerned him republican voter. In
1852 he became a candidate for election to
the Forty-eighth Congress and was re-
elected to the three succeeding congresses
In 1890 he was defeated for Congress.
HIS support of what was known as the
force bill was said to have rad much
to do with his defeat. In the presiden-
tial campaign of 1882 lie was secretary Of
the republican national committee, and
shortly after the election of that year
President Harrison appointed him to the
bench of the Supreme Court of The Dis
trict of Columbia. from which pace he
stepped into TIL United States Senate
March l. 1881. succeeding Arthur i. Cor
man II" had not participated in Mary
land politics since 1890. but he still had
host of strong friends in Maryland
who believed him to be peculiarly well
fitted for a seat in the mate, and they
promptly brought him forward as d can
didatc for the vacancy caused by the
death of Mr.. German presidept Nc
kinIoy was his warm friend and strong
supporter.
Possibility for the Senate.
Al the beginning OF the recent campaign
In Maryland Justice McComas was still
looked upon by his friends their can
didate for the long term in the Senate
had Maryland given a republican legisla-
ture. His appointment to the bench of
the Court of Appeals two years ago was
looked upon by some as his permanent
retirement from politics in Maryland. but
his friends did not take that view of it,
He was always in close touch with the
republicans of his state. He was a per-
sonal and political friend OF Mr. Gather,
formerly his law partner, the party cam
didat5 for governor.
In the Senate Mr.. McComaS took a
prominent part IN all important matters
Of legislation. He had entered Congress
when only thrty-seven years of age and
was thoroughly familiar with public
questions that have come up for consid-