Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-11-29
IN HIGHEST TRIBUNAL
Justice Harlan Completes
Thirty Years of Service.
ABSENT FROM CITY TODAY
Member of United States Supreme
Court Since 1877.
APPOINTED FROM KENTUCKY
Was a Union Soldier In the Civil
War-Rumor of His Retire.
ment Revived.
ABSENT FROM CITY TODAY
APPOINTED FROM KENTUCKY

John Marshall Harlan, associate justice
of the United States Supreme Court. will
complete today thirty years of service as
a member of the highest tribunal of the
country.
| The justice was not at home to receive
the congratulations of his hosts Of friends,
but is spending the day in the country.
He is expected to return about 5 pm. to-
day
Justice Harlan is more than seventy
Il four years of age. He was born June l.,
1888. He is six feet two inches tall. and
| carries himself with the erectness and
air of a much younger man. A fringe of
| closely-cropped. snowy white hair sets
off to fine advantage his massive. shapely
head. Deep set. kindly blue eyes beneath
big brow give the impression of man
| good-humored enough when well treated,
but dangerous when aroused. On the
bench he is justice itself-cold, impartial.
| penetra ting, and in private life a man not
only to be respected. but to be loved.
Rumor of His Retirement.
| When there was a rumor two years
ago that he would soon resign Justice
Harlan had this to say about his feelings
| in the matter: Il can only say that have
not as yet determined what l shall do. l
could have retired on full salary On June
l, 1903 Now and then the thought comes
to me that should retire in order that
might do certain work which I cannot
we'll do while on the bench; but when I
get close to determination of the ques-
ton the thought comes to me that my
life would be shortened and perhaps be.
come dreary If should quit the work to
which have become accustomed, and in
the doing of which I am most happy
So am undecided in the matter. 1t may
be that my judicial Work may end only
with my life. unless in the meantime I
am Informed by those near me sand who
have the right to advise me that my
duty is to give way to a younger man.
His ancestors on his fathers side were
English Quakers. They came to the
Chester county, Pa. His grandfather en-
igrated to Kentucky in 1774, two years
before the Declaration of Independence,
and with him went his brother. Mai. Silas
Harlan, who fell at the battle of Blue
Licks, in 1882.
Justice Harlan's Father.
The present Justices father was born
| in what is now Boyle county, KY, in
1909. and lived in that state until his
death. in 1883. His mother, the daughter
| of Col. Richard Davenport. who emigrated
from Virginia in 1892. was also born in
Kentucky. Justice Harlan's father be-
came one of the foremost members Of the
bar of Kentucky. From 1885 to 1899 he
| was a member Of the national House of
Representatives, and declined third
election. He was also secretary of state.
attorney general and a member of the
| legislature of Kentucky.
Justice Harlan received his early edu-
cation in Kentucky. the state of his birth.
When stnl young man he made his first
speech on public questions and canvassed
the state as an elector- at-large in behalf
Of Fillmore and Donelson. In 1851 JUS
| tics Harlan removed to Louisville which
offered broader field for the practice of
his profession.
He had hardly become settled before the
/ war broke out. He raised regiment
and became colonel but after fifteen
months service in the Union" army the
death of his father forced him to return
to his home. He ran in 1871 and 1875 as
the republican candidate for governor of
Kentucky. although he knew beforehand
in each case that he could not possibly be
elected.
In the republican convention of 1876 he
was the leader of the Kentucky delega-
ton, and 1t 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 dele
CATION to him. This move caused Blaine s
defeat by seventeen votes. a few months
after Hayes Inauguration John Marshall
Harlan was appointed to the Supreme
| Bench.