The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-16

a member of the hlgneSC court
 During his years on the bench, he was always a conservative and, though a Democrat, he voted con- sistently against New Deal legisla- ton and against most ol the eoo- homie emergency legislation of the states which came before the tri- bunal.
 He voted against gold clause in validation, AAA, MIRA, railroad pen- sions and the Guffey act. He was the author of the famous opinion in the New York minimum law test case in which the court held that the states could not regulate the wages paid women. He voted against the New York milk control law and the Minnesota mortgage moratorium, both of which were upheld by the tribunal.
 Born on st. Patrick's Day
 Butler was born on St. Patrick's day morning in 1866. His parents, Patrick and Mary A, Butler, were both devout Catholics but they fore- bore the temptation to name their young son after the fathers patron saint.
 Born of hardy pioneering stock on farm near the town of Northtield, Minn., Butler soon was obliged to do his share of the endless farm chores When he had completed what ele- mentary schooling available near his home he sought a higher education but the family funds and the de- mands of farm work would not per- init his going away.
 Undaunted young Pierce rose early helped about the farm, and then rode five miles on horseback to at- tend Carleton college in Northfleld At night he rode home and went te work again.
 On graduation in 1887, he left home and began reading law in tht offices of Pinch and Tohey in St Paul. To earn the money with whict to maintain himself he tussled witt milk cans in nearby dairy in hi spare time.
 Admitted to Bar
 Two years of this life earned hin admission to the bar and soon after ward he was appointed an assistan county attorney of Ramsey county Two years later the county attorney post became vacant and Butler wa chosen to fill 1t.
 While in these comparatively com fortable circumstances. ne married Miss Annie Cronin of St. Paul il 1891.
 Buffers tenure of office as count. attorney was his last essay into pub lie life until he was appointed t the supreme court by Presiden Harding in 1922. Though Democra politically he never had taken par in political campaigns.
 For the most part Butler preferret to devote himself to his home an, to his law practice which had grow steadily after he gave up the job o county prosecutor.
 An Expert Pleader
 He had maintained law offices i St. Paul where he was associate with William D. Mitchell who late became attorney general under Pres ident Herbert Hoover. In time he bt , came known as one of the expel , pleaders of the country and we much in demand in railroad case His work called him to all parts the country.
 At one time, Butler was generi counsel for the Chicago, St. Pau Minneapolis and Omaha railroa, From 1913 to 1918 he was membt of the committee of counsel of raj roads. When appointed to the st preme. court, he was representa- Canadian interests in litigation grow ,, ing out of the acquisition of tran' .. portation lines there.
 While interested chiefly in his fan , fly life and law work, Butler was , no means a recluse. Of a natural hearty disposition he was well know in St. Paul and was generally referrt , to in ordinary conversation [ Pierce Butler"
 Many Republican Friends . Although nominally a Democrat
 had hosts of Republican friends.
 was well known as racounteur al
 frequently found time to serve
 civic capacities. Before ascending t
 bench he was a member of t , board of regents of the University \ Minnesota for nine years and was ; member of the St. Paul library boa
 and the St. Paul charter.
 During President Taft's admin
 tration he was retained by the go :, ernment as a special prosecutor 1 the antitrust indictments broug If against the Chicago meat packe N a work for which he was higl ,d praised by Attorney General Geoi J. W. Wickersham.
 er Five Children il War
 During the war, five of his eit
 children served with the Unit m States forces. Four sons were W ,,. fighting units while his daught w Mary, died in the army nursing s z. vice.
 in Buffers appointment to the per rs met with some opposition which ' ty quickly brushed aside after a bi d inquiry. Much of 1t was found of have come from Ku Klux K us sources which objected to his Ca H. olicism. Some progressives were sk ds tical because of his long service
 railroad litiga tion.
 ed On the bench Butler lined hims ks generally with the conservat as members and was the author oi
 great number of important opinio
 In the several cases which follow
 the Teapot Dome oil scandal inv tigations he was chosen to WI Fl the courts opinions and was the { thor of the scathing opinion wh IN set aside the transfer of the oil le
 to private interests. lh He was also the author of mum
 ous opinions by the conservative S l in public utility questions. IN We'll Over Six Feet IN A tall man, well over six feet, B