The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1910-07-04

iHNet Inenl VIII De IN Chicago.
Washington. July 4.-To Chief JUS
dce Fuller fell the honor of the third
rank OF length of service as presiding
Justice In the highest tribunal of the
American government For twenty.
Two years he was chief justice of the
supreme court or the United States.
but CHIEF Justice Marshal presided
over the court for thirty-four years
and Chief Justice Taney for twenty
eight years. With the future rests
the determination of his rank among
the eight chief Justices of history
lor ability and accomplishments.
Before Grover Cleveland sent his
name TO tho senate on April 80, 1888.
Tor confirmation as chief justice. he
was practically unknown except TO
members OF the legal profession. In
Maine, where he was born on Fe6ru-
airy II. 1888. he had been known as
a well-behaved. rather scholarly lad,
From 1856 to 1888 he lived in Chi
cago. but attracted little attention out
side his Immediate circle Of friends
and at tho bar. until he took the de-
fense of Bishop Henry.
He wns a delegate to the National
conventions Of the Democratic party
In 1864. 1872, 1876 and 1880
The Maine boy. who had gone
west" accomplished much, however.
notwithstanding his quiet life. He
had laid the foundations for a deep
understanding OF the commercial laws
OF the country and along this line
he had performed services for clients
nI
him an annual income of $40. 900.
These accomplishments led the Re-
publican senators from Illinois TO
urge on the Democratic president the
appointment Of Mr.. Fuller as the sue
cessor Of Chief Justice Waite.
The nomination of Mr.. Fuller. then
SO years OF age. was followed by a
memorial contest in the senate. The
judiciary committee with its Repub-
lican majority TO which the nomina-
ton was sent April 30, held UP the ap-
pointment until July 20. Then the
committee reported 1t to the senate
without recommendation"
For three hours that body debated
In executive session whether to con-
firm or reject the nomination The
attack on Mr.. Fuller was led by Sen
ators Edmunds Evarts and Stewart.
Senators Cullom and Farwell defend
ed him. The reports that he had
been copper head" during the
Civil War and that he did not pos
sess the requisite ability as a law.
Yer were gone over. Finally. by, 4
vote OF IL to 20, his nomination was
confirmed.
The service of Chief Justice Fuller
was noted for the dignity with which
he filled the position. Although small
OF stature, not more than five feet
seven inches, his wealth of silvery
hair and classic features made him a
commanding figure wherever he ap-
peared.
Probably Mark Twain resembled the
chief just In physical appearance
more than any other man of promln-
ence In recent years.
Frequently the humorist was mis-
taken for the jurist One day
young woman accosted Mark Twain
on street and, with an apology that
she had never seen the justice be-
fore. asked for his autograph.
The author wrote:
1T Is delicious TO be full But 1t
is heavenly to be Fuller. l am cor
daily yours. Melville w. Fuller"
The late chief justice. as far as
known. never expressed his opinion
of what he thought OF Twain for play
ing this little joke on him
Chief Justice Fuller reflected TO a
great extent his research into litera-
ture by the style of his opinions and
addresses. In the earlier days, after
going on the bench. he wrote some
poetry and now and then lapsed into
poetical touches in his opinions from
tho bench.
Chief Justice Fuller left an indell-
BILE stamp on the laws of the country.
Among his most famous opinions were
the following:
The income tax decisions, in
which the law was held to be uncon-
stitutional. The Danbury hat case, in
which labor unions were held TO be
amenable to the Sherman antitrust
law.