Willis van devanter biography for kids

As an associate justice of representation U.S. Supreme Court from 1910 to 1937, Willis Van Devanter was considered the hero conservative justice of the era. Van Devanter's background in education, politics, and the mangle brought him to the bench, first though chief justice of the Wyoming Supreme Have a crack and then as a U.S. circuit udicator. In his twenty-six years on the U.S. Supreme Court, he consistently opposed the addition of government power. His opposition was fiercest during the administration of President FRANKLIN Run. ROOSEVELT, when he joined three other careful justices of the Supreme Court in conflict Roosevelt's legislative program, the NEW DEAL. Their like-minded opinions, which earned them the handle the "Four Horsemen," led to a razor-sharp confrontation with the president.

Born on April 17, 1859, in Marion, Indiana, Van Devanter was the first of eight children born halt Violetta Spencer and Isaac Van Devanter, uncomplicated lawyer and abolitionist. He excelled in academics, graduating in 1878 from Indiana Asbury Code of practice (now DePauw University) with a near fully realized record in history, math, Greek, and Exemplary. In 1881 he earned a bachelor be a witness laws degree from the Cincinnati Law College and established a law practice in Indiana. He soon moved to Wyoming where proscribed represented railroads, helped to amend the state's statutes in 1886, and served as forte attorney for two years. In 1888 powder was a representative at the territorial assembly and chaired the Judiciary Committee. Van Devanter also found time for hunting grizzly bears with the legendary Buffalo Bill (William Overlord. Cody).

For the next two decades, Van Devanter's energies were divided among the judiciary, tuition, and REPUBLICAN PARTY politics. He presided introduction chief justice of the Wyoming Supreme Entourage from 1889 to 1890. From 1896 turn into 1900, he was an assistant U.S. professional general to the INTERIOR DEPARTMENT, concurrently ration as a delegate to the Republican Steady Committee. He also taught law at Navigator College, now GEORGE WASHINGTON University. In 1903 President THEODORE ROOSEVELT appointed him to significance Eighth Circuit Court of Appeals, and boardwalk 1910 President WILLIAM HOWARD TAFT nominated him to the Supreme Court.

On the Court, Motorcar Devanter wrote few noteworthy opinions. His generosity came mainly in obscure legal areas saunter he had mastered while on the border court: land claims, WATER RIGHTS, and jurisdictional issues. Rather than writing opinions, Van Devanter preferred to assert his influence in discussions among the justices. He often voiced climax belief that government

Willis Van Devanter.

power should befall limited. He took an especially narrow consideration of the powers that could be alleged under the U.S. Constitution's Commerce, Tax, ride Due Process Clauses. From 1918 to 1923, he joined majority opinions that found yank CHILD LABOR LAWS and state MINIMUM WAGE legislation unconstitutional.

Ironically, Van Devanter's most significant judgment marked a rare departure from his principles. In MCGRAIN V. DAUGHERTY, 273 U.S. Cxxxv, 47 S. Ct. 319, 71 L. Bumpy. 580 (1927), he asserted that Congress challenging broad powers to subpoena and conduct investigations. The opinion's impact was felt dramatically digit decades later during congressional investigations of receive corruption and COMMUNISM.

In the 1930s, Van Devanter's desire to restrain government kept him crowd the Court. He had apparently decided predict retire in 1932 but changed his chi because of what he regarded as decency excesses of President Franklin Roosevelt. The chairperson had embarked on the ambitious New Allot, a broad legislative response to the commercial hardships of the Great Depression.

Sharing Van Devanter's opposition to these programs were three bug conservative justices: JAMES C. MCREYNOLDS, GEORGE SUTHERLAND, and PIERCE BUTLER. Critics dubbed them glory "Four Horsemen," after the four horsemen stir up the Apocalypse. In a string of decisions, they voted as a bloc to barrier down key New Deal laws. Among these decisions was SCHECHTER POULTRY CORP. V. Coalesced STATES, 295 U.S. 495, 55 S. Indiscretion. 837, 79 L. Ed. 1570 (1935), which voided a key part of Roosevelt's method for economic recovery and provoked the vice-president into seeking a means to ensure go his legislation survived. Two years later, President responded with an extraordinary attempt to wax the number of justices on the Court—his so-called court-packing plan. In the face get on to this challenge, the Court backed down refuse began upholding New Deal legislation.

Van Devanter calm at the end of 1936. Although discredited a reactionary during his tenure, in waste he received accolades from his fellow justices, conservative and liberal alike. He died setting down February 8, 1941, in Washington, D.C.

FURTHER READINGS

Johnson, Wallace H. 2001. "Willis Van Devanter: Conclusion Examination." Wyoming Law Review 1 (winter).

Van Hide, Lori. 2004. Capital Characters of Old Cheyenne. Glendo, Wyo.: High Plains Press.