New Ulm review. (New Ulm, Brown County, Minn.) 1892-1961, 1910-07-13

! ! !. ). !.
Lawyers may differ as to the pro-
foundness Of the legal knowledge Of
the late chief justice Of the United
States supreme court, Melville W.
Fuller, and the ability displayed in his
decisions. Lawyers always reserve
the right to criticise according to
whether the decisions are for or
against them, but they all agree that
the chief justice graced the position he
occupied and that the august character
LOT the court has been augmented rath-
! er than diminished since he began to
preside over it's sittings.
To Justice Fuller fell the honor Of
third rank for length of service as
presiding justice in the highest tribu-
nal Of the American government. For
twenty-five years he was chief justice
Of the supreme court of the United
States, but Chief Justice Marshall pre-
sided over the court for thirty-four
years and Chief Justice fancy for
; twenty-eight years. With the future
rests the determination Of his rank
among the eight chief justices of his
tory for ability and accomplishments.
Before Grover Cleveland sent his
name to the senate on April 80, 1888,
for confirmation as chief justice he
was practically unknown except in the
state Of his adoption and to members
of the legal profession.
Senate Eiuhts Confirm alton,
The nomination Of Mr.. Fuller, then
~fifty-five years of age, was followed
by a memorable contest in the senate.
The Judiciary committee, with it's Re-
publican majority, to which the nomi-
nation was sent April 80, held up the
70. appointment until July 20. Then the
committee reported it to the senate
without recommendation" For three
hours that body debated in executive
- session whether to confirm or reject
y the nomination. Finally, by vote
of Il to 20, his nomination was con.
: frmed.
Since that day the entire court as II
single exception Of Justice Harlan. Oh
: those prominent in the fight over the
confirmation only Senator Cullom re
mains, and President Cleveland, wht
thus honored the Illinois lawyer, ha:
= likewise gone to his grave.
In private life Mr.. Fuller was demo
cratic in his habits, and he lived sim
ply at his house in E street, Wash
ington. However, he had a great opin
ion Of the dignity Of his Office a.
the head of that coordinate branch
of the federal government which i
mentioned second in the constitution
He therefore claimed when he frs
went to Washington precedence at al
official functions Immediately after tn
president and vice president. Thi
raised serious questions with the reI
resentatiyes Of foreign powers, an
consequently he avoided whenever pos
sible appearance at any occasion a
which diplomat was expected.
Checked Roosevelt Spelling.
Mr.. Fuller was credited with bein
the first man to put check on til
introduction of President Roosevelt
orders of simplifed spelling into of
cial documents. He picked up a brie
in which an opinion of the late Justic
Bradley was quoted with the wor
Through" spelled as thru"
"Do understand this purports to +
~ literal quotation from Mr.. Justie
Bradley?" asked the chief justice wit
quiet sarcasm, and from that da
forth simpliied spelling was droppe
in supreme court documents.
On one occasion Justice Fuller stoe
mt the desk il the Auditorium hote
Chicago. He was interested in Il
tactics Of the colored help. The cool
and walters were executing drills NJ
y unlike those Of minstrel troupe upe
the stage.
They're going on strike" said
acquaintance of the justice.
ssWell, WELL well, muttered the chi
Dr. - @