The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-03-06

LlOn or human rights
 I Rep Bertrand Shell, r, N. Y.
 minority leader of the house: "He
 probably was the outstanding
 American jurist of the present age
 Probably no member of the cour1
 had the respect, love and admira. ton of the American people more than Justice Holmes"
 Old Home Mourns | Beverly, Mass, March 6.-UP) This city, for 50 years the home of the late Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes, to-day mourned the loss of it's most distinguished citizen.
 Flags on the city hall and other public buildings were flown at half-staff.
 A statement by Mayor Torey read:
 II condole with our city and the nation on the loss of a great man. It is more sincerely a sad event." l Although a Civil war veteran. Justice Holmes was never @ mem. Der of the G. A. R. post S9 of the G. A. R. here conducted services Tor their "comrade in blue." Justice Holmes had passed the summers at his Beverly Farms es- tate for a half century.
 CAREER OF JUSTICE HOLMES Washington (UP).-When Oliver Wendell Holmes took the solemn oath as associated justice of the supreme court of the United States on Dec. 8, 1902, he brought to that chamber heritage of culture from his distinguished father, the physi- clan and poet, and many years of Judicial experience gleaned from the supreme court of his native state, Massachusetts.
 He brought also an independence Of thought that manifested itself In hundreds of cases, stamped him as a liberal, and paved the way for others who followed him to the nations highest court. His ascension marked the be- ginning of what was later to be known as the Liberal triumvirate"
 Justices Holmes, Louis D. Bran- deis, and Harlan Fiske Stone-- whose many decisions and dis sensions made legal history.
 Great Dissenter
 Holmes career as 'the great dissenter" had its beginning almost as soon as he took the oath. In the case that first focused the at- tention of the nation on him, the Northern Securities case, A1is opin. ion ran contrary to that of Presi. dent Theodore Roosevelt, who had appointed him. It was years later that the president forgave his protege.
 Throughout his 30 years on the supreme court bench-he was the oldest man to occupy such a post he held the affection of his nation. Messages of esteem and regret from associates. legislators, lead- CTS in every branch of society and from the man in the street poured in on the venerable jurist when, on Jan. 12. 1892. he announced hls resignation to President Hoover. He was then 90 years old.
 His Farewell To Court
 '"rhe condition Of my health makes 1t duty to break off con- nections that I cannot leave with out deep regret after the affec- tionate relation of many years and the absorbing interests that have filled by life," he wrote.
 But the time. has come and bow to the inevitable. have noth- ing but kindness to remember from you and my brethren. My last word should be one of grateful thanks
 President Hoover, in accepting, respectfully, the resignation of the jurist. seemed to express the feel ings of the country when he said:
 "No appreciation l could express would even feebly represent the gratitude of the American people for your whole life of wonderful public service, from the time you were an officer in the Civil war to this day--near your 91st birthday. l know of no American retiring from public service with such sense ofsaffection and devotion of the whole people,"
 Holmes, worn out by the rigors of 50 years in the judiciary of the state and nation, returned to hts modest red brick home in Wash ington, to spend the declining years in the simple fashion he adhered to during his life.
 Won't Be Down Tomorrow
 The day before his retirement be. came known, he said to his asso- ciates:
 "I won't de down tomorrow"
 That was few days after he had made his last appearance in the chamber of the supreme court. head bent and step uncertain. Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes had assisted him to his chair.
 Associates believed the death of Mrs Holmes two years before his retirement hastened the end of his career. Holmes was never so cheer. rul. so characteristically witty again. Mrs Holmes had been Nhis constant companion on long auto. mobile rides in the neighborhood of their Beverly, Mass, summer home.
 Both were flower lovers and spent many hours in their garden. The justice would spend hours in his extensive library--the one pur. suit in which Mrs Holmes did not join eartedly--reading what his wife termed naughty French novels" Actually, much of Holmes readings were translations of original works in foreign tongues.
 Proud of Ancestry
 Intensely proud of his aristo- cratic New England ancestry. Holmes at the same time loved democracy. He talked with taxicab drivers. elevator .a operators and janitors as frequently and with as much interest as he did with inti- mate friends and associates.
 He had deep understanding of human nature, friends said, and d kaen apnrecfation If tho feel-