Evening star., 1938-07-10
BY the Associated Press.

NEW YORK, July 9.-Justice Ben
jamin Nathan Cardozo. the idol of
law students" hadn't wanted to be q
Supreme Court justice. He wanted to
remain among his old cronies in AL
bany, N. Y, in the State Court of
Appeals.
His secretary for IA years. Joseph
M. Paley, professor Of law at st. Johns
University School Of Law, Brooklyn.
and practicing attorney, recalled today
how Justice Cardozo used to pace the
floor OF the Bar Building after his ap-
pointment, and mutter. why did I
accept the post?"
For personal reasons, he didn't
want to move to Washington" Mr..
Paley said. He was alone in the
world, apd he thought he was too old
to pull up roots and start again; and
he was happy in Albany.
When the rumor that he would be
appointed cropped up. he became very
much alarmed. But as the weeks
went by he felt confident he was out
Of the picture.
Il recall very distinctly that on
February 13, 1882. when he bade me
goodby before leaving for Albany he
said, I think I can breathe a sigh
OF relief that the President hasn't
me in mind"
Appointed Two Days Later.
President Hoover named him to the
Supreme Court bench two days later.
III the appointment had come i'm
mediately after Justice Holmes re-
tirement, he probably would have re-
jected It," Mr.. Paley said.
But in the four weeks that inter-
vened the President had received
thousands of letters from over the
country, saying. Name Cardozo as the
logical successor to Holmes
so Cardozo had to forget his
personal life. He had to say, I
belong to the people and therefore
must set aside my personal reasons"
Complete reconciliation to his new
life didn't come until about two years
ago, said his former secretary.
Il recall the first time We came
to New York from Washington" Paley
continued. Justice Cardo5o muttered
all the way up how unhappy he was
there"
When Mr.. Paley resigned six months
later to devote full time to his teach
ing and law practice, Justice Cardozo
wrote him a letter saying, My sad
ness at the great change in my life
is increased by your departure
Sweets His Nearest Vice"
In IA years his former secretary
never heard Justice Cardozo use a
real "cuss word"
Damn was the worst word I ever
heard him say" Mr.. Paley recalled,
and he said that in such a way
that it fell like music on ones ears
He never clustered. He didn't
smoke, he didn't drink, there was
nothing ornate or pompous about his
home and he ate very simply.
He did like sweets-little cakes,
and fruit compete. That was the
nearest he came to having a vice.
He was philosopher, living among
his books. He never indulged in any
outdoor sport-once he tried to play
golf. but that was the end Of it.
Il never knew him to see a moving
picture. Once in a great while he
went to symphony concert or the
theater.
His social activity was very limited.
From his boyhood he had been such
an indefatigable worker that he
didn't have time for it.
But altogether q bachelor. he was
most charming company in the pres
ence OF women. They idolized his
manner and his sense of humor
He married me and Mrs. Paley, and
at the dinner table afterward he was
the life Of the party, although he was
always quiet.
Read Fast, But Well.
"He was the fastest writer and the
fastest reader have ever seen. He
had q Photographic eye and a re-
tenf{vo yooy,oorr