The Farmville herald. [volume] (Farmville, Va.) 1890-1934, 1910-07-08
CHIEF JUSTICE
FULLER DIES
Passes Away at His Summer
Home In Maine,
HUGHES MAY SUCCEED HIM

Noted Jurist Was Stricken With Heart
pisesse-served as Chief Justice Of
United States Supreme Court For
Twenty-Five Years.
Melville Weston Fuller. chief JUS
tice of the supreme court OF the Unit
ed States, died at his summer home,
Main Stay, al Sorrento. near Bar Har-
Dor, Ne. His death was due to a sud
den attack of heart disease. His
daughter, Mrs. Nathaniel Francis, and
a guest. Rev. James E. Freeman, were
with him.
The death Of the chief justice was
entirely unexpected, as be had been
in apparently good health lately, and
there had been no premonitory symp-
toms of trouble.
Though there have been reports
that i'll health would force Mr.. Full
ler's retirement from the bench dur
ing the last seven years, he was be
lieved to be in the best Of health when
he left Washington for his summer
vacation. On his seventy-seventh
birthday. Feb. u last, he announced
that he had never felt stronger in his
life and that he had no intention OF
retiring
II is believed by many that Governor
Charles z. Hughes. Of New York, will
become chief justice Of the United
States supreme court when that body
reconvenes this fall. Mr. Hughes was
appointed a member by President
Taft several months ago, but did not
take his seat.
Chief Justice Fuller was one OF the
picturesque members of the supreme
bench. He was born in Augusta. Ne,
in 1893. but had always been ider j.
field with Illinois. because after his
graduation from Bowdoin college la'
the age of twenty years. and admis
sion TO the bar in 1856 he took up lis
residence in that state and for thirty
two years was one Of the most promi-
nent lawyers OF that state.
Before leaving his native city his
talents had been recognized and he
was made city attorney and presideni
of the common council. and was also
one of the editors Of the Age. the lead.
ing Democratic paper These positions
he resigned to take up life in the
west.
In 1862 he was named as a member
Of the Illinois constitutional conven
ton. and the following year was elect
ed to the legislature Prior to his ap
pointment as chief justice he was seer
at all the state and national conyen
lions of his party, and his counsel was
widely sought by Democratic leaders.
President Cleveland offered him a
different times the positions of solicl
tor general. civil service commissions
and member of the commission on Pa
cihc railways; but all OF these he de
clined.
AT length. however. on the death 0
Chief Justice Waite. in 1887, the pres
dent offered him the vacant position
and he accepted it. From a financia
standpoint he made a great sacrifice
AT this time he was one Of the fore
most lawyers at the western bar. haN
ing argued during the two decade
previous more cases before the Unite
States supreme court than any othe
LAWYER in the west His income wa
something like $4,000 a year. Hi
salary as chief justice was only $40
500.
Chief Justice Fuller held third ran
for length of service as presiding jus
tice in the highest American tribuna
For twenty-five years he was chic
I Justice. Chief Justice Marshall pre-
sided for thirty-four years and Chic
, Justice fancy for twenty-eight years.
The chief justice was expected t
retire in 1906, but declined to do Sc
and his action doubtless had much {
do with the election of Taft to tn
presidency Roosevelt desired to max
Taft chief justice. Fuller stood in tn
way. He held his Job and Taft went {
! the White House.
His first wife, Mrs. Mary E. Fuller
J died while seated on the porch Of tn
J Sorrento home, where the chief jus
tice expired in August, 1904