Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1910-07-07
LIFE OF CHIEF JUSTICE.
Only Two HID Exceeded Him in
Length of Service.

Washington, July ITO Chief Jus
tice Fuller fell the honor of third
rank for length OF service as presid-
ing justice in the highest tribunal Of
the American government For 20
years he was chief Justice Of the SUI
preme Court Of the United States. but
Chief Justice Marshall presided over
the court for "a years and chief Jus
tice Tanev for rs years With the fu-
ture rests the determination of hts
rank among the eight chief justices
Of history for ability and accomplish
ments. Before Grover Cleveland sent
his name to the Senate on April 30.
1883, for confirmation as chief jus
tice. he was practically unknown ex-
cept to members of the legal profess
sion. In Maine. where he was born
on February II. 1893. he had been
known we'll behaved. rather
scholarly lad. He had gone to Bow
doin College and, incidentally. there
won most OF the prizes for elocution.
He had gone down to Harvard law
school for one year.
Finally he hlossomed forth as a full
fiedged lawyer and politician of a
high minded sort in his native city Of
Augusta. He became an associate ed
itor on democratic paper called
The Age" and about the same time,
was elected president of the city coun
ell and then city solicitor. Soon
thereafter he left Maine for the
greater opportunities Of life in Chi
cago.
HIS FIRST BIG CASE.
i,
cago hut attracted little attentio out
side his immediate circle Of friends
and associates AZ the bar until he un-
dertook the defense of Bishop Cheney
on n charge OF heresy. His knowledge
on ecclesiastical history and procedure
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 a for
ensic EFFORT seldom II ever surpassed
in that court.
He was a delegate to the national
conventions Of the Democratic party
in 1864 1872 1875 and 1850.
The Maine hov who had "gone Vast
accomplished much, however, notwith-
standing his quiet life. He had laid
tho Foundation for a deep understand
ing Of the commercial laws Of the
country and along this line he had
performed services FOR clients that
were estimated to have Melted him an
annual income OF $4,000. These ac-
conplishments led the republican SEN
ators from Illinois to urge upon the
democratic president the appointment
Of Mr. Fuller as the successor OF Chief
Justice Waite,
CONFIRMATION HARD FOUGHT.
The nominate Of Mr.. Fuller then
55 years old, was followed by mem
ora BILE contest In the Senate. The
judiciary committee with its repuhli
can majority TO which the nomination
was sent April so. held mp the appoint
ment until July 90 Then the commit
toe reported II to the Senate without
recommendation" For three hours
that body debated in executive session
whether to confirm or reject the nom
nation. TIC attack on Mr.. Fuller was
lod by Senators Edmunds. Evarts and
Stewart. Senators Collum and FAR
well defended him. Tho reports that
he had been n "copperhead" during the
civil War and that no did not possess
the requisite ability as lawyer were
gone over.
Finally by vote OF Al to 30 his
nomination was confirmed. Since that
day the entire court as II then existed
has passed away with the single ex-
ception of Justice Harlan. or these
prominent in the fight over his con-
firmation. only Senator Collum remains
In office and President Cleveland. who
thus honored the Illinois lawyer has
likew gone to his grave.
Throughout his service. Chief Jus
tice Fuller was noted for the dignity
with which he hlled the position He
preserved that manner whether o., the
bench or Off OF It. Although small of
stature, not more than Ave fest seven
inches his wealth of silvery hair and
classic features made him a command
ing figure wherever he appeared,
JOKE OF MARK TWAIN
Probably Mark Twain resembed the
chief Justice in physical appearance more
than an yother man of prominence In
recent years. Frequently the humorist
was taken for the jurist. one day young
lady accosted Mark Twain on the street
and with an apology that she had never
seen the chief justice before, asked Tor