MELVILLE WESTON FULLER. 877 



The acceptance of the appointment involved a distinct sacrifice 

 since Mr. Fuller had a family of eight daughters and one son, a con- 

 siderable burden to carry in his new position when it is remembered 

 that by taking it he exchanged a large professional income for the small 

 salary of the Chief Justice. 



From the date of his appointment in 1888 until his death on the 4th 

 of July, 1910, Chief Justice Fuller discharged the duties of his office to 

 the entire satisfaction alike of his associates on the Bench, the counsel 

 who appeared before him and the American people. 



The judgment of his profession was expressed in the resolutions 

 which were drawn by a representative committee of the bar and from 

 these the following may be quoted : — 



" He was a man of singular beauty and purity of character. 



"While he was at the bar no one harbored a suspicion that the 

 exigency of forensic controversy, in which he was almost constantly 

 engaged, could ever tempt him to aught that was unfair or unworthy 

 of the highest ideals of a noble and honorable profession. 



" As Chief Justice it is enough to say that with conspicuous fidelity 

 he fully and consistently maintained the best traditions of that high 

 office. 



" His character was marked by a gentle courtesy and consideration 

 which constantly illuminated and attended upon the discharge of his 

 important public duties, always marked his relations with the bar, 

 and earned that popular confidence which goes out to him whom the 

 people believe to be a merciful and considerate as well as a just and 

 impartial judge. 



"All this he was; and, endowed by nature with talents not inferior 

 to those of his predecessors, possessed of attainments, training and 

 experience adequate to the exacting requirements of his great office, 

 he filled it at all times in such a manner as to command the admiration 

 and respect of the bar and the grateful appreciation of his country- 

 men." 



During the twenty-two years on the bench he wrote 829 opinions, 

 of which only 29 were dissenting opinions. His period of service was 

 one of the most important in the history of the country, as during this 

 time many startling innovations were made or attempted in our 

 legislation such as the laws intended to curb the abuses of capital, 

 to purify the methods of business and to restrain immigration, and 

 during this period also came the departure from principles theretofore 

 legarded as fundamental which followed the Spanish War and the 

 conquest of the Philippine Islands. 



In dealing with the controversies which grew out of this legislation. 



