Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-02-23
PRAISES LIFE WORK
OF JUSTICE BROWN
Members of Washington
Monument Society Hear
EuIogistic Address.
ANNUAL Meeting HELD
At HOME OF T. w. MOVES
Three More States Provide Memorial
Blocks for Washington Monu-
ment, It Is Reported.

son, U. s. A. retired: F. B. Mcclure, DIR.
Charles D. Walcott. Adds B. Browne. F.
L. Harvey, Theodore w. Noyes, r. Ross
Perry, Bishop Alfred Harding and DR..
Francis NJ Gunneli, U. 8. N. retired.
The second vice president, Judge Will
liam A. Maury. being absent, on motion
Of Mr.. Browne. Mr.. Macfarland presided.
AFTER the minutes OF the last meeting
mad been approved. the chairman for
ally announced the death OF Justice
i Henry B; Brown. first vice president Of
tne society for many years. Mr.. Perry
Eas then recognised. and read the follow
ing memorial address, which was adopted
after remarks by various members:
Sketch Of Justice Brown.
Henry Billings Brown. for many years
first vice president OF the Washington
National Monument Society. died In the
state OF New York. where he was tenn
porarfly residing. on the 9Th day of Sep
tember. 1913. He was born In the state
Of Massachusetts, on the I'd day Of March,
$50
I'm 1855 he graduated from Tale Uni
versity. and among his classmates were
Shauncey N. Depew and the late Justice
Brewer OF the Supreme Court Of the
United States. Justice Shiras, who was
also an associate justice OF the same
court was his fellow collegian.
He received his degree OF bachelor Of
laws from Harvard University. In 1859
he went to Detroit, Mich. where he prac-
uced his profession until April, 1881, when
he was appointed deputy United States
marshal and assistant district attorney.
In 1858 Gov. Crepo of Michigan appointed
him to hlr vacancy in the Wayne cir
cult court. the highest court in the city
Of Detroit. In 1875 he was appointed by
President Grant district Judge of the
United States for the eastern district of
Michigan. This judicial ONCE he filled
with distinguished ability, attaining great
em.nence as an admiralty judge, until De-
cember %, 1890, when he was appointed by
President Harrison an associate justice
of the Supreme Court Of the United
States as successor to Justice Miller, who
had died the preceding October. Justice
Brown took his seat the 9Th day Of jan
uary, 1891, and served continuously until
May e. 1900 when he retired. On that
day his brethren upon the bench sent him
letter, signed by all Of them, contain
sions:
Praised by Others on the Bench.
You came here with high reputation,
Justly deserved by q distinguished career
Of many years as a district Judge of the
United States, to which you have added
In the fruits Of over fifteen years Of
eminent judicial labors in this place.
In certain sense, what shadows
we are. and what shadows we pursue.
but not in every sense; for what has
been worthily accomplished will still live
and the memory Of the just Judge will
not perish. We assure you that those Of
us who have been longest with you. as
well az those of a briefer association,
and that deep respect which your ami
able disposition and the great assist
ance in the administration Of justice
which your experience. learning and
ability have enabled you to render have
inspired. We hope that the light which
has come to pass at the evening time of
a well spent life may long shine upon
YOU
Upon the occasion of Justice Browns
retirement the members Of the bar Of the
Supreme Court OF the United States resi-
dent In the District of Columbia deter
mined that 80 important an event re-
quired fitting recognition. Accordingly.
on the 31st day Of May. 1903 they rendered
him dinner, which was attended by the
President Of the United States and other
high officials of the federal government.
The Chief Justice and the associate JUS
tees Of the Supreme Court Of the United
States and many prominent members of
its bar were among the guests On this
occasion the President Of the United
States said, among other things. the fol-
lowing:
Paid High Tribute.
1.-The names that stand out in our his
tory in the past are the names Of the men
who have done good work for the body
polite, and in the present the names of
those whom this people really hold in
NJ oy,n fhn ~ 41n
who have done all that was in them in
the best and most worthy fashion. In no
way is it possible to deserve better of the
republic than by rendering sane. hon.
est, clear-sighted service on the bench
this country.
"'Mr. Justice, It has been your supreme
good fortune to do that work. to render
by the part you have played in the great
est court Of this or any other land On
behalf Of the people I thank you for your
past and wish you wen in the future
''Other memorable things were spoken
Of Justice Brown by memorable men
present upon that occasion. But true and
Just as they were, and therefore most
gratifying to his family and friends, they
could add nothing to what has been quot
ed. Indeed. the fact that for SO many
flied the chair of SO great statesman
and jurist as Samuel F. Miller was elo-
quent and supreme.
Wise and Prudent Counselor.
Nevertheless, something remains to be
said of him In his social relations and
this society is especially competent to
say It. For eighteen years we have been
brought into close companionship with
him. We have been associated with him
at the council table and year after year
we have been his guests in his hospitable
home He was wise and prudent coun-
selor-a cultured and hearty host. As
citizen OF our capital city he was appre- |
ciative OF his duties and eager In his |
own modest and unobtrusive way to |
discharge them fully.
Especial y did he prize his leadership |
of this society. He felt It a great honor. |
because 1t was aseociated with the name |
of Washington. He has repeatedly said |
that his ambition was to leave the So
ciety as he found tia unique, significant |
and honorable link connecting our day
with the beginning Of the nation and with
the supreme man who founded It. A let |
ter from Chief Justice Fuller ended with |
a benediction:
I'VE hope that the light which has
come to pass ut the evening time of
we'll spent life may long shine upon you"
''It did shine kindly upon him for many |
years-years made happy by wife. by /
friends, by all the joys Of social inter-
course in this beautiful city of the ma
ion, which he made his home and OF |