Omaha daily bee., 1910-07-05
SKETCH OF FULLER's CAREER
He was Nominated by President
Cleveland Twenty-Five Years Ago.

He was Nominated by President
Cleveland Twenty-Five Years Ago.
WASHINGTON. July A-To Chief Justice
Fuller fell TIE honor Of third rank for
length Of service as presiding justice in
the highest tribunal Of the American gov
eminent For twenty-five years he was
chief justice of the supreme court of the
United States, but Chief Justice Marshall
presided over the court for thirty-four
years. Chief Justice fancy for twenty eight
years With the future rests the determine
ton of his rank among the eight chief
justices Of history for ability and accom-
plishments
Before Grover Cleveland sent his name to
the senate on April 30, 1855. for confirma-
ton as chief justice, he was practically un-
known except to members of the legal
profession. In Maine, where he was born
on February II, 1893, he had been known as
a well-behaved, rather scholarly lad. He
had gone to Bowdoin college and incident
ally there won most OF the prizes for elecu-
ton. He had gone down to Harvard law
school for one year.
Finally he blossomed forth as full
| fledged lawyer and politician of high
minded sort in his native city Of Augusta
He became an associate editor on dem
| ocratic paper called The Age" and about
the same time was elected president of the
council. and then city solicitor. Soon there
after he left Maine for the greater oppor-
tunities of life in Chicago.
Career In Chicago.
From 1856 to 1855 he lived in Chicago, but
attracted little attention outside his i'm
mediate circle of friends and associates at
the bar until he undertook the defense OF
Bishop Cheney on a charge OF heresy. His
knowledge Of ecclesiastical history and pro-
ceedure astonished those who conducted the
| case and his argument OF the cause Of the
bishop before the supreme court of Illinois
is referred to still as q forensic effort sell
dom IL ever surpassed in mat court
He was a delegate to the national con-
ventions Of the democratic party in 1864.
49, 1876 and 1880.
The Maine boy who had gone west
accomplished much, however, notwithstand-
| ing his quiet life He had laid the founda-
tons for a deep understanding OF the COM
mercial laws OF the country and along this
line he had performed services for can
didates that was estimated TO have netted
him an annual income OF $4,000 These
accomplishments led the republican SEN
ators from Illinois TO urge on the demo-
| cratic president the appointment OF Mr.
Fulled as the successor of Chief Justice
Waite.
Long Debate on Nomination.
| The nomination OF Mr.. Fuller, then IS
years OF age, was followed by memorable
contest in the senate The judiciary COM
mtttee with its republican majority, TO
which the nomination sent April 30,
held up the appointment until July 20. Then
the committee reported II to the senate
| without recommendation"
For three hours that body debated in
executive session whether TO confirm or re-
ject the nomination. The attack on Mr..
Fuller was led by Senators Edmunds
Evarts and Stewart Senators Cullom and
Farwen defended him. The reports that he
had been "copperhead" during the civil
war and that he did not possess the requi-
site ability as lawyer were gone over.
Finally by a vote OF Al to 90 his nomina-
ton was confirmed.
Since that day the entire court. as it theu
existed. has passed away, with the single
exception OF Justice Harlan. OF those
prominent in the fight over his confirma-
ton only Senator Cullom remains. and
President Cleveland. who thus honored the
Illinois lawyer. has likewise gone to his
grave.
Throughout his service Chief Justice
Fuller was noted for the dignity with
which he filled the position. He preserved
the manner. whether on the bench or of
OF il. 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 resembIed the
chief justice in physical appearance more
than any other man OF promine &c in re-
cent years. Frequently the humorist wa.
mistaken for the turist. Ona day a young
lady accosted Mark Twain on the street
and, with an apology that she had never
seen the chief justice before. asked for hi:
autograph. The author wrote:
1T Is delicious to be full.
But IL is heavenly TO be Fuller.
! am cordially yours.
Melville W. Fuller"
The late chief justice. as far as known
never expressed his opinion of what h,
thought Of Twain for playing this Iittl,
Joke on him.
Great student OF Literature.
Chief Justice Fuller reflected 10 a grea
extent his research into literature by tn,
style OF his opinions and addresses. In IN,
earlier days, after going On me bench, h,
wrote some poetry and now and thel
lapsed into poetical touches In his opinions
from the bench. one OF the best nlustra
I tons OF this was the opinion he handle,
, down In the case Of Hammond agains
Hopkins. He concluded his opinion b.
saying;
\ In all cases where actual fraud is no