Robert Page Morris

Robert Page Waller Morris (June 30, 1853 – December 16, 1924) was a United States representative from Minnesota and a United States district judge of the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota.

Early life

Born on June 30, 1853, in Lynchburg, Campbell County, Virginia, As a child Morris attended a private school.

Education

Virginia Military Institute

Morris initially attended the College of William & Mary but finished his studies at Virginia Military Institute. Additionally, in 1869, he was initiated into Alpha Tau Omega (ATO), becoming one of the fraternity's earliest members at VMI. P. L. Downs, Class of 1879 and private secretary to Texas A&M's 1st president, Thomas S. Gathright, was quoted on the president's stance regarding military discipline at the university.Gathright was wholly opposed to any military discipline. He believed in putting the boys on their honor and trusting them implicitly, and yet Major Morris, as Commandant, insisted upon carrying out the governmental requirements as to military training and that did not altogether suit the president.

The Crisp Affair Source:

Legal career

Morris began reading law in 1880 and was admitted to the bar and entered private practice in Lynchburg from 1880 to 1886. He was a candidate for the United States House of Representatives of the 49th United States Congress from Virginia in 1884 though not elected. He continued private practice in Duluth, Minnesota starting in 1886. He was a Judge of the Duluth Municipal Court starting in 1889. He was city attorney of Duluth starting in 1894. He was a Judge of the Minnesota District Court for the Eleventh Judicial District from 1895 to 1896.

Congressional service

Morris was elected as a Republican from Minnesota's 6th congressional district to the United States House of Representatives of the 55th, 56th, and 57th United States Congresses, serving from March 4, 1897, to March 3, 1903. He declined to be a candidate for renomination.

Federal judicial service

Morris was nominated by President Theodore Roosevelt on March 5, 1903, to the United States District Court for the District of Minnesota, to a new seat authorized by 32 Stat. 795. He was confirmed by the United States Senate on March 9, 1903, and received his commission the same day. He assumed inactive senior status on June 30, 1923, meaning that while he remained a federal judge, he did not hear any cases or conduct any business for the court. He moved to Pasadena, California, after taking senior status. His service terminated on December 16, 1924, due to his death in Rochester, Olmsted County, Minnesota. He was interred in Forest Hill Cemetery in Duluth.