ness coming before the courts, and in the methods of the bar in the trial of causes, shows him to be a close observer and a dis criminating critic in whatever pertains to the administration of justice. The State reports abound in examples of his powers as a writer of judicial opinions, his contributions to the Reports exceeding those of any other judge in the history of the court. Judge Durfee's term of service on the Su preme Court bench extends over a period of more than twenty-five years, for a little more than fifteen of which he has been chief-jus tice. Although entitled to retire upon full salary, he continues to perform his judicial duties. In appreciative recognition of his long and valuable services to the State, and as a mark of. the esteem in which he is held by the profession, the members of the Rhode Island bar have recently arranged for a por trait of Judge Durfee to be placed in the law library of the State. The present Associate Justices of the Su preme Court are Charles Matteson, John H. Stiness, Pardon E. Tillinghast, and George A. Wilbur.
created. He was born in 1840. He studied at Brown University from 1857 to 1859, and then taught school for two years. In 1861 he enlisted in the army, and was for some months stationed at Staten Island recruiting and drilling detachments. On account of sickness he was discharged from the army in 1862, after having seen much active ser vice. He then took up the study of law in the office of Thurston & Ripley, and was admitted to the bar in 1865. He rapidly made his way to success in his profession. In 1874— 1875 he represented the City of Providence in the General Assembly, and while there was a member of the Judiciary Committee. Like many of his predecessors, Judge Stiness is a diligent student of the history of the State, and is well versed in whatever pertains to the origin and develop ment of Rhode Island institutions. Pardon E. Tillinghast.
Judge Tillinghast is fifty-three years of age, and has seen nine years of judicial ser vice. While still a boy he set out to prepare himself for the profession of teaching. He attained an academic and normal school Charles Matteson. education by teaching school winters. For Judge Matteson, the senior Associate Jus seven years he followed his chosen calling, tice, is fifty years of age, and has been on, and then, in 1862, enlisted in the army. the Supreme Court bench fifteen years. Upon the expiration of his term of service He graduated from Brown University in he began the study of the law at Pawtucket 1 86 1, and studied law with Wingate Hayes, with Thomas K. King, afterwards United then United States District Attorney for States Consul at Belfast. He was admitted Rhode Island, and later at the Harvard Law to the bar in 1867, ana" met with excellent School. He was admitted to the bar in success in his profession, making a specialty 1864, and for a time was a partner with Mr. of municipal law. From 1874 to 1881 he Hayes. He soon acquired an extensive was town solicitor of Pawtucket. For three practice, especially in the line of corpora years he was a Representative in the General tion law. In 1875 he was elected Associate Assembly, and for four years a State Senator. Justice, to fill the vacancy caused by the During the full term of his service in the promotion of Judge Durfee to the office of Senate he was chairman of the Judiciary Chief-Justice. Committee. In 1881 he was elected to fill the vacancy on the bench caused by the John H. Stiness. resignation of Judge Burges. He is one of In 1875 the number of Associate Justices the judges assigned by the court to hold the was increased from four to five, and Mr. Common Pleas, and his chief duty is the Stiness was elected to fill the place thus J trial of the civil docket in that court.
