William Rufus Day

Transcription of the Letter:

Supreme Court of the United States,

Washington, D.C.

Nov. 22, 1912.

My dear Justice Pitney:

I have yours of the twenty-first instant as to No. 46.

As I joined in the dissent in the case upon which No. 46 is to be affirmed in a memorandum, I have just dropped a note to the Chief Justice suggesting a different assignment.

May I suggest that when the opinion comes to you you make the request stated in your note.

Faithfully yours,

William R. Day

Mr. Justice Pitney,

United States Supreme Court.

Transcription of the Letter:

Supreme Court of the United States,

Washington, D.C.

Canton, O. Sep. 27, 1915.

Dear Judge:

I enclose clipping from N. Y. Times. Its information as to your golf score is probably not new to you. It was interesting to me and I congratulate you, although it renders [ever] the hopelessness of my own attempts in [those lines]. What puzzles me is, why hail the omen? Perhaps you can tell me when we meet in a few days as I trust we may. I have had a good vacation and am ready for the starting bell.

Pray remember me most cordially to Mrs. Pitney, and believe me,

Very sincerely yours,

William R. Day

Mr. Justice Pitney,

Washington,

D.C.

Transcription of the Article:

APAWAMIS STRIPLINGS

When a youth named JAMES ALEXANDER TYNG was younger he used to catch the experiments in trajectory of Pitcher ERNST, now a Boston bacteriologist of credit and renown. Dr. ERNST was wont to whirl around, contemplate the second baseman sternly, gaze implacably at the three fielders, then, revolving with incredible rapidity on his own axis and adamantine legs to "hurl" the ball at the batsman, the catcher, and the universe - bing Tyng! Thus did the future hero of the green revels of Apawamis prepare himself unconsciously for those exercises of distance and velocity wherein he so excels; and now more honors of golf crown the "Apawamis veteran" as the children who make headlines continually do write.

In the name of Methuselah - oh, what an annuitant was lost in that master of the secret of staying on this amusing oblate spheroid! - in the name of the only man who ever reached a ripe age, in the name of the insulted English language, in the name of correct classification, insurrection should be made against the golf grandees, against the infants in the newspaper palaces, against the baby voices that call TYNG and JAMES A. FOOT and other younkers of the green, "Apawamis Veterans," "Seniors" and such terms, innuendo age. Methuselah, it may be admitted for the sake of argument, remains a mark, a terminus. He was the oldest subscriber to this scheme of nights and days. Every life insurance man looks back at him with reverence and regret. He was well along in years. It is likely enough that he was cut off in his prime by a too exclusively rude pastoral diet. But he knew how to last reasonably long. As things are, and until the art of longevity is revived, it is not indecorous to say that he was an old man, a senior, a veteran. Who can think without sniggering of the "patriarchs" of Apawamis? They are in their prime. They are no more "seniors" to the just-poising mind than an infant tugging at the bottle is a senior to the changeling who remembers the oak when it was an acorn.

There should be a revised classification of the Apawamis lads: Class A, 55 to 59 years, preparatory; Class B, 60 to 64 years, middle; Class C, 65 to 69 years, upper middle; Class D, 70 years and upward, sub-freshman. No student in the university of life is a senior till he is 100.

"How old are you, Colonel PERKINS?" Mr. EVARTS asked the brisk young Treasurer of the Norwich & Worcester Railroad, at the Beecher trial. "Only 96, Sir," chirped the smiling witness. Only 96! An admonition and a reproof to the princoxes who range in classes the Apawamis striplings. By the way, Mr. Justice PITNEY of the Supreme Court "made a 92." We hail the omen.

[handwritten underneath by William Rufus Day:] Why? Day

Transcription of the Letter:

Atlantic City, March 8, 1916

My Dear Chief:

I have the honor to report that notwithstanding most unfavorable weather conditions I am still on the up-grade.

There is no visible reason why I may not expect to be present when Brother Brandeis takes the oath of office. I hope there is enough left in me to help make a "full" court.

My affectionate greetings to you and the brethren.

Remember me most cordially to Mrs. White,

As ever,

Faithfully yours,

William R. Day

The Chief Justice,

Washington,

D.C.

Transcription of the Letter:

1301 Clifton Street

Washington, D.C.

Mar 24, 1916

Dear Judge:

Many thanks for your kind words of welcome. I fully appreciate your caution against overstrain. I have had a lesson in that regard which should warn me against its repetition.

Hoping to see you soon and asking to be kindly remembered to Mrs. Pitney,

As ever,

Yours,

William R. Day

Mr. Justice Pitney.

Transcription of the Letter:

621 North Market Street

Canton, Ohio

May 3, 1916.

Dear Judge:

It was good of you to take the time of one of the unfailing [season] to write me the letter of the 30th ult. I read with interest the clippings which show how it is that Washington is leading the American league. Think of it, the Western teams go East all through this month and Washington leading! Well the grip does strange things to its victims and comes and stays when least welcome.

I note that the senior associate was with you at the game. That man is renewing his youth if ever a man did and I greatly rejoice that it is so. More power to him!

You say you have had a belated spring in Washington. Here spring has scarcely given us a passing glance, but I can look out upon my native heath and hope for better things. When the clouds roll by I am going to begin a little golf and in October I expect to be out for the title. The same one I had when the grip threw me down.

I keep tab on the court proceedings and read its decisions, for I am trying to keep up with the procession. You certainly are turning out the work and I am glad for all your sakes that the hard term is mostly gone.

That I miss the association with the Court I need not say. I have always thought there was more good fellowship among us than those who do not see the Court without the gowns dream of in their philosophy.

Remember me most cordially to Mrs. Pitney.

Hoping all good things for both of you, with greetings to the brethren,

I am,

Sincerely yours,

William R. Day

Mr. Justice Pitney,

Washington, D.C.