Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1908-02-13
The Chief Justice at rs.


4 little item in a Washington paper
brings US the reminder, which is an in
teresting one here in Augusta, that
Melville Weston Fuller, chief justice
of the supreme court of the United
States. passed his 18th milestone on
Tuesday of this week. No son of Au-
Susta has ever risen to so high a sta
ton in public life as this eminent
jurist who will this year complete his
10Th year as presiding officer of the
worlds greatest court. No other chief
justice, EXCEPT those renowned jurists
John Marshall of Virginia and Roger
3. fancy of Maryland, served longer
at the head of this body. Marshall's
service was 81 years and Taney's %
Thus, with Chief Justice Fuller's serv-
ice added, the service of these three
chief justices taken together has COW
cred s. years of the 1872 since the de-
claration of independence.
Although he was known to President
Cleveland and all members of the bar
generally, the country as Il whole
knew little of the Democratic lawyer
fl.m Chicago whose nomination rs
chef justice was sent to the Senate in
ti0nal feeling were much stronger then
than now and the Republican Senate
was reluctant to confirm to so exalted
and important an Office a man ap-
pointed by the first Democratic presi.
dent since the Civil War. The con-
firm. ton was delayed for several
months and it was not until July 20
that it was finally acted upon. When
il came 70 Il vote the confirmation was
confirmed II to u. nine Republicans
voting With the Democrats, and it is
pleasant to note that among those nine
Republicans We're Senators Frye and
Hale of Maine and Senators Farwell
and Cullom of Illinois The Republi-
can opposition to Mr.. Fuller, it need
hardly be stated, was wholly political
aud not at all personal.
Tie country knows how well Chief
justice Fuller has adorned his high
office. how wOrthily he has upheld
the traditions of Marshall and the
great chief justices Of the early re-
public. Through these 20 years the
country has learned to appreciate the
man at his true worth. to recognize
his fine character and exceptional abil-
ny, and TO acknowledge the wisdom
of his appointment. The first chief
justice and his associates were chosen
by President Washington because of
their integrity. their learning and their
fidelity to justice. From the begin
ming. the supreme court. by its service
to the country and by the character Of
The men who have adorned it, has de-
served what il enjoys in enhanced de-
gree. the respect. the generation, and
the affection of the American people.
Augusta may well take pride in the
TACT that the man who has presided 50
ably over the deliberations of this
high court for full score of years is
native of this city and member OF
one Of Augustus oldest and most re-
spected families. Here, after his
graduation from Bowdoin So years ago
next June, he did newspaper work and
began the practice of his profession as
lawyer, holding such Offices as city
solicitor and president of the common
council before removing to Chicago
where he soon stood at the head of the
Illinois bar. With all his honors and
with all his responsibility his love for
the scenes and assori:it tons If his
every summer finds him n visitor
to this section. In 1894 he was
the orator at the centennial exercises
Of Bowdoin college. Of which he has
long been a trustee, and in 1897 he de.
livered the Grafton at the celebration
of Augustus centennial as an indepen.
dent municipality. The American PEG.
pie as while. and more particularly
we who know him and love him best
join at this time in wishing him man,
more years of health and the cour
many more years of his service.