The Washington times., 1910-09-09
BOWERS FAMOUS
AS GREAT LAWYER

Had he lived Solicitor General Bowers,
the announcement Of whose death came
as a shock 70 all Washington. would
have undoubtedly sat upon the United
States Supreme Court
II Is known that the President re-
garded him as one OF the ablest lawyers
N the United States and that he had
practically stated that Mr.. Bowers
would be promoted.
Before he became associated with the
Department Of Justice. the late Solicitor
General had attained eTninence as a
lawyer, and he was looked upon here
and by the bar OF the country generally
as markedly qualified TO serve upon
the COUnITy's highest court
Mr. Bowers was appointed Solicitor
General soon after the Inauguration and
was confirmed by the Senate on Aprl.
8 1893. His official career began at that
time, though back Of it was a long
service as a corporation lawyer and
general EfaCtitiOner-
When Associate Justice Peckham died,
the President considered Mr. Bowers
fox his position, but later decided to ap-
point Judge LurtOn OF Tennessee
Then again, when Justice Brewer
passed away, only the fact that Gov
erneT Hughes Of New York agreed 10
accept the vacant post prevented the
nomination Of the Solicitor General by
the President.
To Take MOody's Place.
Then, when Justice Moody decided to
retire on account Of his health, the
name Of Mr. Bowers again came before
the President This time there IS little
doubt but that the late Solicitor General
was marked for the high honor Of serv-
ing on the United States Supreme Court
Mr. Bowers was fifty-one years Of age.
and was in the prime Of his career as q
successful lawyer He was the son Of
Samuel D Bowers. Of Springfield, Mass.
He graduated from Yale in 1873 and
from Columbia Law School IN 1852. In
June OF the same year he was admitted
10 the bar
The hrst legal work Of the young
lawyer took place IN New York.
where ne obtained a desk in the Office
Of Chamberlain, Carter 8 HornbIOWer.
an eminent law firm OF that city he
" on recognition early, and was ad-
mitted TO the firm He decided, how
ever TO so West, and two years later
went TO Minnesota, where he formed a
partnership with ex-Chief Justice
Wilson. Of that state
Success followed success in Mime
sofa and In 1893 the young lawyer
moved 10 Chicago In June OF that
Year ne became general counsel for
the Chicago Northwestern railway.
and remained in that position until
President Taft persuaded him to come
tratiOu in enforcing the antitrust
laws Of the country
Great Corporation Lawyer.
II was as a railroad lawyer that the
late Solicitor General became best
known throughout the country. He
was looked upon as one Of the most
successful Of all the great CORPORA
ton lawyers Of the Middle West
On September :, ISS7. Nj Bowers mar
ried Miss Louise B. Wilson, OF Wiuona,
Minnesota, who died ten years later In
August, 1896. he married Miss Charlotte
Josephine Lewis.
The news of the Solicitor Generals
death first reached the Department Of
Justice in a telegram from Mrs Bowers
she said that he had died at $50 this
morning
No later than yesterday word was re-
Ceived from M Bowers secretary.
stating that the crisis had been passed,
and that recovery was confidently ex-
peCted-
The department closed at noon today
out OF respect for the late Official Act
ing Attorney General Fowler issued the
order 20 this effect
Barton COrneau- Mr. Bowers assistant
here, and who accompanied him from
Chicago TO Washington, left this morn
Ing Tor Boston