The star of the north. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1849-1866, 1851-06-19
ELLIS LEWIS.

in 1900 in Lewisburg, York county, Pa, a
pleasant little town Which derives its name
from his father, by whom it was founded
His father, Eli Lewis, was a Democrat OF the
school of Jefferson, and upon the election OF
President Jefferson, was chosen by a portion
of the citizens of York county TO prepare an
address to the President. This address, TO-
gether with JefCerson's reply, Judge Lewis
still carefully preserves in bis possession.
At nine years of age, Ellis Lewis was left
all orphan, and while yet quite young in
years was Sent 10 Harrisburg and learned
the printing trade. lie next vent to Few
York, and worked as Q j%ournevnsan printer
by the side Of Geo. P. Morris. He returned
to Lewisburg aud commenced stud5ina med.
icine, but soon went 10 Baltimore. Failing
10 profit himself there, he purchased a'print-
ing establishment at Williamsport, Pa, and
commenced studying law and editing his pa.
per. lie soo.i disposed of his printing estab-
lishmeut, aid in 1922 was admitted 10 the
bar. S,ext gear he was appointed deputy
attorney general for Lycoming and Tioga
counties, and in 1921 removed TO Tioga
county, where he had a large and lucrative
practice. A few years after this he resigned
his appointment under the Attorney General
and removed to Bradford county. In 1882
he engaged actively in the political contest
for General Jackson, and was chosen 10 the
State Convention of that year. lie was also
tha, fall elected a member Of the State Le-
sislature, and while in that body voted
against resolutions expressing the opinion of
that body against any any reduction OF the
tariff.
In 1888 Mr.. Lewis was appointed Attorney
General of Pennsylvania by Governor Wolf,
but in the fall of the same year he resigned
that appointment, and became President
Judge of this Judicial District. This station
he filled until about lS45, when he was ap:
pointed Judge of the I'd District composed
of The city and county of Lancasier-a dis
,rict whose population and property exceeds
hat of some states in the Union.
But even the re Judge Lewis found time
Gin addition 10 his judicial work) 10 discharge
the duties of professor Of Law and Medical
Jurisprudence in Franklin college, Lancas-
Ter and, in connection with Messrs. Nc
Candless and Troubat, TO edit a series OF
valuable law work S. In lS47 he also pub
lished a work OH "American Criminal Law"
which is in the hands of almost every prac-
Using member of the profession. Judge
Lewis has also rendered valuable assistance
IN The publication of the American Law
Journal, or "Pennsylvaaia Law Jouroal'' as
it was first modesily called the best publ
cation of its kind in the country.
Ills legal reputation extends wider than
the Union, for even on the other side oSehe
Atlantic, his learning and philosophical
mind have been appreciated, and received
the highest testimonials of esteem. We
shall never forget his decision in which he
pronounced all such excrescenses Of lesisla-
lion as the stay law of 1912 unconstitutional,
and exploded all such subtle distinctions as
were sought for between tiiv rvrnrViy on a
contract and the contract itself. Judge Lew
is properly felt that the remedy constitutes
part of the contract, and enters into the con-
temptation of the contracting parties as much
as any part Of the bargain. That decision
of Judge Lewis was in consonance with the
spirit of a republican country and a repnbll-
can age, while the subtle cobweb-work he
exploded was only worthy oil the old Eng
fish bench which, decided that such words
were not actionable as-"you have poison
en- your husband" "Sir Thomas Holt struck
his cook on the head with a c%leaver, ant
cleaved his head the one part lay on one
shoulder, and the other on the other" be-
osaeo in tho first case, although the husband
was poisoned, possibly he did not die and
in the second case, though the cooks head
was uleaved into two parts, possibly The
wound was not mortal. ,
This decision of Judge Lewis showed
that he understood the true spirit OF our
constitution. His opinion made a powerful
impression on the thinking minds OF the
country, and we notice that in the new
states OF the West that opinion is received
as The law. The last decision Of the kind
is in the 4th vol. Missouri Reports p. 80,
where a stay law is decided 10 impair the
obligation of a previous contract, and 10 be
,n.;nst re constitution both of the state
and Union, The provision of The Missouri
constitution in TIM, ycsped. is similar 10 ours
in Pennsylvania. l., Tho
We will close this hasty skeich ~ NV
following incident Of Judge Lewis early
practice in this region. A number Of years
ago a fugitive slave was rescued from The
possession of his owner in -Fanville, then
this county, through a writ Of homiae reple-
giando. The Hon. David Pelriken was the
Prothonotary who issued the writ, and of
course actions were brought against all con-
cerned with the writ or rescue. Under the
act OF 1893 the penalty of $500 was recov-
cred from several defendants, and suit was
then brought for the same amount against
MI. George Sweeny an editor of a public
journal. Judgment was obtained against
him and he was imprisoned. With Negery
confidence he sent nearly one hundred miles
for Mr.. Lewis, who came aud in his argu-
ment showed that there was a distinction
between penalties imposed as a punishment,
10 be recovered by any one who may sue for
fham and ,hosa oiven hv stat MIC IN tho mar