The Oskaloosa herald., 1910-07-07
CHIEF JUSTICE
FULLER IS DEAD
Head Of U. S. Supreme Court Ex-
pires Suddenly.
HEART FAILURE IS CAUSE
Death Of Chief Magistrate Comes En-
tireiy Unexpected at His Sum-
mer Home In Sorrento,
Maine.

Bar Harbor, Me-, July 5.--Chief
Justice Melville w. Fuller Of the
United States Supreme court, died
from heart failure at his summer
home in Sorrento.
The death of the chief magistrate
was unexpected, as he had been in
fairly good health lately, and there
had been no premonitory symptoms OF
any kind of trouble. Sunday he at
tended church as usual, and when he
retired at night he was to all ap-
pearances in his customary health.
Daughter at Bedside.
Death came about six o'clock in the
morning. His daughter. Mrs. Ma
thaniel Francis, and Rev. James e.
Freeman, who was guest of Justice
Fuller's at his Sorrento cottage,
Main Stay" were with the jurist
when he died.
For many years the chief justice
had spent his summers at Sorrento, a
summer colony located on French
mans bay, five miles from Bar Har.
Dor.
To Chief Justice Fuller fell the
honor of third rank for length of serv,
ice as presiding Judge in the highest
tribunal of the American government
For twenty-one years he was chief
justice of the Supreme court of the
United States.
name to the senate on April 30, 1888
for confirmation as chief Justice, he
was practically unknown except to
members of the legal profession. In
Maine, where he was born February
II, 1888, he had been known as a well
behaved, rather scholarly lad He had
gone to Bowdoin college, and, Incl
dentally, there won most most of the
prizes for elocution. He had gone
down to Harvard law school for one
year.
Finally he blossomed forth as a full
fledged lawyer and politician of a
high-minded sort in his native city OF
Augusta.
\. His Great Argument.
From 1856 to 1888 he lived in Chi
cago, but attracted little attention out.
side his immediate circle Of friends
and associates at the bar until he un.
dertook the defense of Bishop Cheney
on charge of heresy. His knowl,
edge of ecclesiastical history and
procedure astonished those who con.
Quoted the case, and his argument of
the cause of the bishop before the su.
preme court of Illinois is referred to
still as forensic effort seldom If ever
surpassed in that court.
He was 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 deep
understanding of the commercial laws
of the country, and along this line he
had performed services for clients
that was estimated to have netted him
an annual income of $4,000.
Republicans Urged His Appointment.
These accomplishments led Repub.
lican senators from Illinois to urge
upon Democratic president the ap,
pointment of Mr.. Fuller to succeed
Chief Justice Waite.
The nomination of Mr.. Fuller, then
fifty-five years of age, was followed by
memorable contest In the senate.
The Judiciary committe. with its
Republican majority, to which the
nomination was sent April 80, held up
the appointment until July 20. Then
the committee reported 1t to the SEN
ate 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 defended
him.
The reports that he had been a
"copperhead" during the Civil war
and that he did not possess the
requisite ability as lawyer were
gone over
His Great Victory. "a
Finally. by vote of Al to 20, his
nomination was confirmed
Since that day the entire court, as
1t then existed, has passed away with
the single exception of Justice Har.
Ian. OF those prominent in the fight
over his confirmation only Senator
Cullom remains.
Throughout his service Chief JUS
tice Fuller was noted for the dignity
with which he filled the position. He
preserved that manner on the bench
or off.
The Real Thing.
Talk about heat; you fellows who sill