"Tell Me What You Think."

"Tell me what you think about this, for I esteem your opinion of much more value than that of the authority cited."-Said to a lawyer who was citing the opinion of an inferior court.

No Man Higher Than the Law.

"No man in this country is so high that he is above the law. No officer of the law may set that law in defiance with impunity. All the officers of the Government, from the highest to the lowest, are creatures of the law, and are bound to obey it. It is the only supreme power in our system of government, and every man who by accepting office participates in its functions is only the more strongly bound to submit to that supremacy, and to observe the limitations which it imposes upon the exercise of the authority which it gives."—From the Arlington cases (106 U. S., 196).

Evart's Tribute.

"The great traits, the great elements of his power and his character for a judge, were great breadth of understanding, great solidity of judgment, great serenity of temper, and rapid and penetrating perception of legal relations."-William M. Evarts' remarks in memoriam in United States Supreme Court, December 6, 1890.

Taney, Wayne and Catron Sat on Bench With HimSome Coincidences.

When Miller was admitted to the bar, Taney, with whom he afterwards sat upon the Supreme Bench, was seventy-three years of age, and had been Chief Justice for fourteen years. He sat as an associate with Wayne and Catron. He was a boy studying medicine when Wayne was on the Supreme Bench; and when Miller was admitted to the bar, Wayne had been on the Supreme Bench for fifteen years.

Why a Decision Has Weight.

"The convincing power of the opinion or decision in a reported case must depend very largely on the force of the reasoning by which it is supported, and of this every lawyer and every court must of necessity be his and its own judge."-Extract from letter to Judge John F. Dillon, November 16, 1885.

Studied All Decisions of the United States Supreme Court.

When he took his seat upon the Supreme Bench of the Nation, he commenced the diligent study of every case that had been decided by that tribunal, storing his mind with all the learning of the court.

Moral Courage.

Sublime moral courage was the most marked characteristic of his nature.

A. H. Garland's Tribute.

"I never hesitated to seek his advice and counsel, which he gave always freely and not grudgingly, and often, too, when I needed a friend. Never was there an uncertain sound in his responses. Upon one occasion, when I approached him with feelings of delicacy with reference to the subject matter, he laid down the large transcript before him and answered, 'You can always speak to me on anything under God's heaven."-In memoriam remarks, United States Supreme Court, December 6, 1890.

Judge Miller's Preference for Country Practice.

"It was a favorite theory with Judge Miller, that a country town is the best place for a young lawyer. He valued its opportunities for reflection and study. Its close and sharp contact with various characters; the development of individuality which it favored. He thought these conditions aided the slow, and therefore solid, growth of independence and force of character which made the strong lawyer. These advantages he often set off against those of the large city and gave them preference.”—In memoriam remarks of James M. Woolworth, United States Circuit Court for the District of Nebraska, Omaha, November 14, 1890.

JOHN HIPPLE MITCHELL, OREGON.

(1835-)

Born in Washington county, Pennsylvania, on a farm, June 22, 1835. Educated at the Witherspoon Institute, and subsequently studied law, and was admitted in his twentieth year. Shortly after his admission, he removed to San Luis Obispo later to San Francisco, and finally to Portland, Oregon, in 1860. In 1861 he became corporation attorney of that city. In 1863 he formed a co-partnership with Jos. N. Dolph, who had arrived there the year before, which alliance continued until Mr. Mitchell's election to the United States Senate, nine years later. The firm had a large and extensive business from the first, being attorneys for the Oregon and Central, and the Oregon and California railroads, and other large corporations, and for Benjamin Holliday, who was engaged in operating a line of steamers between Portland and San Francisco. From 1862 to 1866, he was State Senator, becoming presiding officer of that body in 1864. From March, 1873, to March, 1879, he was United States Senator, since which time he has been twice re

elected, his term expiring, 1897. He has held the rank of Lieutenant Colonel of the Oregon militia, and 186771, the post of professor of medical jurisprudence in Willamette University, at Salem, Oregon.

He is a Republican in politics. His practice has been much in connection with the railroads, and has been extensive and lucrative. Though when he opened an office in Portland he was refused credit by the carpenter whom he requested to make him an office table, his practice is now said to be worth $20,000 a year. He has amassed a large fortune, the joint result of professional skill and aptitude, and uncommon business sagacity. He is one of the few Senators whose services are in demand in the Supreme Court of the United States. As a speaker he is clear and concise, his sentences being noted for their cleancut compactness. His speech upon the Inter-State Commerce Law, was able, and his interpretation has since been followed by the commission in its construction of the law.