Omaha daily bee., 1909-11-07


why He Feared Death.
Justice Harlan was complaining one day
about his health. He said he was getting
pretty old and that he was afraid he was
going TO die soon.
Why should you be afraid to die whom
you are a good Presbyterian % asked JUS
tice Peckham.
There was a merry twinkle in the eyes
OF Mr.. Harlan when he replied: "weIl,
Peckham, the truth is I've been so intimate
with you for the last dozen years that I'm
afraid / may turn up at democratic head.
quarters in the next world" Mr.. Harian's
humor was not lost on MI. Peckham, but
his only acknowledgment was a suppressed
grunt.
Although Mr.. Peokham enjoyed the con.
fidence and regard of his colleagues. ne had
no special chUm among the justices. Jus
tees White and Holmes are great cronles
and when the weather is fair they NAV
frequently be seen strolllng home together
from the capitol. Justices Brewer and
Harlan are quite chummy and frequently
their homeward Journey is made together,
either on foot or in a street car. Justice
Peckham never Wake to his home from
NN SfANA AOuG III u w dEnl0E=
ton street car, a mode OF travel quite popu-
lar with some of his colleagues. Mrs
Peekham made 1t a rule to call for him al
ne capitol every day with the family car
riage.
Mr. Peckham was one OF the best dressed
members of the supreme court. His silk
nat Which he wore invariably, always
locked as II 1t Rad come fresh from .be
I DunnhnN His FIlWyf-- -Aa-
Vhite mustache, clear cut features and set
OPPRESSION led many persons to regard him
as high and mighty In his austerity." Ha
hao an lncisive way OF talking from the
otpoh' which sometimes COMPOUNDED inex-
porlenced Practitioners, Properly APP
proached' however, he was not forbiddlug,
pst, on the contrary, was generous and
courteous.
A dozen years ago a man who has since
attained distinction as a Washington news
paper correspondent was a cub reporter
on a Baltimore newspaper. The supreme
court had handed down a decision Of great
Importance to the state Of Maryland. and
the cub reporter was assigned to inter.
view Justice Peckham. who had written
the opinion, and to get from him a further
explanation Of the decision. In fear and
trembling the young man rang the bell
at the home Of the justice. Mr.. Peckham
himself came to the door and listened at.
tentively While the frightened reporter ex.
planned the purpose of his call.
Won't you come IMP" was Mr.. Peck.
hams invitation, as he led the way to his
library, well, we'll" he said, when hi:
caller was seated, you know II is the un,
written law that a supreme court decision
shall never be explained. The opinion
speaks for itself, and anything that
might say would not add to or take from
the law as laid down in the opinion. Of
course, always like to help a man, and
perhaps in this instance l may be justified
In doing a little talking" Justice Peckhan
then proceeded to explain, emitting the us,
OF legal phraseology, what his opinion GOV.
cred. The cub reporter turned in what tn,
city editor told him was "a bully gooC
story" which commentator, together with
his courteous reception at Mr.. Peckham'i
home. was compensation for all the terrori
that afflicted him when he was assigned e
interview a justice Of the highest court II
the land.