The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1910-07-05
United states Chief Justice


although the United States govern
ment has been In existence nearly a CEN
fury and a quarter, and has had q Pres
idents. there have been only seven chief
justices of the supreme court" said an
old citizen In referring to Chief Justice
Fuller's death.
There were eight appointed to the po-
sition, but one of them. John Rutledge of
South Carolina, who had served as asso-
ciate justice and resigned, became insane
few weeks after George Washington
sent his name to the Senate as the sue
cessor of Chief Justice John Jay of New
York, and was not confirmed. He acted,
however, about a month.
Jay, the first chief justice, was
statesman and diplomatist as we'll as jur-
list, and was as active in the affairs of
the young republic as he was versatile.
After he had retired from public life
President John Adams reappointed him
chief justice, and the Senate confirmed
him, but he declined the honor. Rutledge
who had served two years as associate
with Chief Justice Jay, left the supreme
bench to accept the chief justiceship of
his native state. On Rutledge's failure
of confirmation Oliver Ellsworth of Con-
necticut was appointed chief justice, and
served four years.
"Then came John Marshall of Virginia,
the first of the long termers'-1S01 to 1885,
Rodger B. fancy of Maryland succeeded
Marshall, and served until near the end
of the civil war. Salmon P. Chase of
da5 ht1f nj V
nine years Morrison E. Waite came next
and served IA years. Chief Justice Fuller
succeeded Waite. All the chief justices
have been able and high-minded. Chase
was jurist of exceptional capacity and
a man of great force; but he was too
much of a politician to make an ideal
chief justice. He had the presidential bee
An his bonnet, and while he was on the
bench was seeking the republican nomi-
nation for the presidency. That injured
him no little.
There will be good deal of guessing
as to Chief Justice Fuller's successor.
President Taft may have some one in
mind already, but if 80 he will not dis
close the name for a time.
1.-The salary of the chief justice is $12,5oo,
which is $500 more than the salary of az
sociate justices. For long years the pay
of the members of the supreme bench
was $4,000, with $500 added for the chief
Justice Only few years ago the salaries
were fixed as they are today. bill IN
this Congress providing for further in
crease was defeated"
Courtesies of Commercial ORGANIZATIONS
'It has been customary for the COM
mercal organizations of various cities to
exchange courtesies in a general way. To
make this custom of direct benefit to the
individual members of the organization
the following announcement was received
today from the Binghamton chamber OF
commerce." said Secretary j. B. Babb
yesterday:
1.-The Binghamton chamber of COM
MERGE will be pleased to undertake the ex-
ecution of commissions. except In regard
to credits, In the city Of Binghamton or
the country within radius OF 20 miles for
any member of an active commercial or
ganization presented through the secre-
tary or other proper official Of such or
ganization.
| NO cndTSe VIII NC lii1uO ioA 49, S>S7
cution of such commission except for
actual expenditure of time and money in
volved. Time will not be charged for
except in special instances requiring con-
siderable attention. In case an expendi-
ture is involved for which charge will
be made the commission will not be un-
dertaken until the organization making
the request is advised Of the probable
expenditure and its nature, and proper
authority for such expenditure is re-
ceived
I'm fact" said Mr.. Babb, "our mem
bers can receive these courtesies through
the commercial organization Of almos
any city, and they should avail them
selves of the opportunity"
Regarding the Judiciary