The Waterbury Democrat., 1939-11-16
Supreme Court Justice
 Pierce Butler Is Dead
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rom rage "
 created wide attention and ct no time did he criticize publicly the presidents reorganization plan, al- though friends said he opposed 1t.
 He made two public appearances in recent years, one on the 5Oth an- niversary of his graduation from | Carleton College in June, 1887, when ] he received an honorary degree of doctor of laws. Again in the spring | of 1889 he addressed the convention 1 of the American Law Institute in | Washington in the absence, due to illness, of Chief Justice Charles Evans Hughes.
 Helped Kill Roosevelt Bills
 As a conservative justice in the early days of the New Deal he was member of the five-man bloc which overturned by 5-to-4 decisions some of the key legislation the Roosevelt administration put through Con- gress. After the retirement of three of his colleagues and the death of Justice Cardozo, Butler teamed with Justice James c. McReynolds in dissenting vigorously, sometimes bit- terly, to some of the high courts so- called liberal" judgments.
 Through the period when the court was a center of national att tention, Buffers health remained robust. During the latter days of the 1888 term, however, his illness be- gan. He continued his work on the bench through June, 1899, because, friends said, he felt he should carry his share of the court load while Hughes was ill.
 A few weeks after the end of the term his doctor ordered him to Gar field hospital for observation and treatment of a bladder ailment. Af- ter three weeks he showed improve ment and returned to his home. He failed to gain there. His strength soon began to decline and he re- turned to the hospital September 22.
 He has four sons and two daugh- ters, Pierce Butler, Jr., St. Paul law yer; Leo, a Washington contractor; William; Francis, living in St. Paul; Miss Margaret Butler, Washington, and Mrs. Edward K. Dunn, Balti- more.
 His Last Moments
 Buffers physician said that the Justice lapsed into unconsciousnes shortly after midnight and did not regain consciousness.
 I The Rt. Rev. Monsignor Edward L. Buckley of St. Mathews Ca- thedral visited Butler in his hospital
 room on several occasions before his
 death and administered the last rites of the Catholic church.
 Buffers Supreme Court chair was
 draped with black crepe today and
 the two American flags in front of
 the white marble Supreme Court
 building were lowered to half staff. Regret of President President Roosevelt expressed per- sonal regret at Buffers death in a statement and in personal letter
 to Mrs. Butler.
 T had known Justice Butler for a
 great many years and I always re- garded him as a personal friend, " MT. Roosevelt said in his statement.
 His undoubted great ability, his
 complete frankness in the express sion of his philosophy and his hon. est convictions commanded my re- ' spect and, in common with his many friends I sincerely regret his un- timely passing" : Eulogy Of Chief Justice v In a eulogy delivered from the . bench at noon Chief Justice Charles Z; Evans Hughes announced that last rites would be held tomorrow at Il a. m. at St. Matthew's Cathderal z here.
 ' Hughes described his associate as !. doughty warrior" who served his convictions with fidelity, courage and forthrightness."
 Hughes voice quavered as he be. 3 gan speaking.
 . Tt is my sad duty to announce the passing, early this morning, oi
 our brother, MT. Justice Pierce But. = ler," Hughes said. Pierce Butler y brought to this court not only hi! y learning in the law but a rich store n of practical experience. d His fidelity, his courage ant $ forthrightness, which were his out
 standing characteristics, made hin
 doughty warrior for his convic ,e tions, and he served the court witl Ie great ability and indefatigable in d dustry, and an unwavering loyalt n to its traditions and to his loft 10 10 conception of its function in pre- m ,e serving our constitutional heritage. If A White House luncheon sched ,a uled for tomorrow to honor wives c .S the supreme court justices. It wa W cancelled by Mrs. Roosevelt.
 The family of Butler will leav s tomorrow at p. m. for St. Pau v Minn., where services will be hel oi at g a. m. next Monday in St. Luke Ab church