Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1857-04-03
From the Transcript.
THE Late Judge Prentiss of vt

man uIGcs IL heAS S'ASS D~~AA NSSAASN
hv nublic opinion, that he should not be
tumbled into his final resting-place with
ont mention of his moral worth among
his fellow-men. Recently, there has oc-
cured the death of the Hon. Samuel
Prentiss, of Montpelier, Vermont, at the
are of seventy-three years. Thus far,
have seen no obituary of him and l
been been somewhat surprised at the
fact. From my knowledge of him, and
the history of his whole life, in the alb
sence of other notice of his decease,
think proper to offer, through the press,
some notice of his life, touching his orr
Gin, character and history. Especially
do | wish to call to mind his remarkable
powers of mind, as a truly conservative
man who was wise beyond most others:
and to notice some events of his political
life, which justly entitled him to high
rank among his tellow-men.
Samuel Prentiss was the son of dis
tinguished surgeon of Mortified, Mass,
VINO had large progeny, most of whom
became eminent for their talents. The
subject of this notice, without having had
the advantages Of a classical education,
read law at an early period of his life
with the late John Blake, of Brattleboro'
Vt. Having completed his practice as a
lawyer at Montpelier. Very soon he
distinguished himself as a leading mem
her of the bar in the State of his adop-
ton. In fact, it was said of him, that,
as an eloquent and powerful advocate,
he had no superior in Vermont. Such
were bis merits and such the estimation
in which he was held, that, at the age Of
about forty-three, he was appointed
Chief Justice Of the Supreme Court OF
the State. He was placed over all the
members of the Judiciary as then consti-
tuted, consisting of several prominent
men, His youth caused some dissatis-
faction, but, in a short time, the wisdom
Of his appointment met the cordial ap,
prevail of the whole public.
He held this high place but briet
period, having been elected in 1881 g
Senator in the Congress of the United
States. Here, his fine powers of mind
his remarkable wisdom, and sound dis
cretiOn, soon won for him a reputation
which, to the last, he most nobly sustain
ed. In 1887 he was reelected for the
second term, and served until 1872
One circumstance is named, to show his
discretion. When Gen. Harrison was
elected to the Presidency by the Wing
party, it was moved, by the retiring par
ty, that certain measures of reform and
retrenchment should be adopted. The
Wings, as a party, were indignant anC
revolted, on the ground that the outgoing
Administration ought not to be permitted
to have the glory of the reform, and they
in caucus, were quite decided against the
measure. Mr.. Prentiss pointed out the
bad policy of the measure, and wisely
urged, that to oppose the proposed re
form would not fail to make capital fol
their opponents, for just in the proportion
of the necessity of the reform, would the
Opposition gain laurels. Mr.. Prentis.
was sustained, as he ought to have been
and the party saved the disgrace of al
ill-timed policy.
In February, 1912, the highly esteem
ed William Paine, Judge of the Distric
Court Of Vermont, resigned his place a
Inc advanced age of eighty-fo~r gears
having held his office for period of NOR,
man forty years. Thereupon some O
Inc friends of Mr.. Prentiss, rightly es
umatmg his worth and eminent fitness
procured his nomination as Judge Paine
successor. On the announcement of tn
appointment to the Senate, Mr.. John c
calhoun, somewhat opposed to Mr.. P
IN politics, after eulogizing the nominee
moved, that instead of committing tn
SUBJECT, as was usual in similar cases f
the Committee on the judiciary, that tn
Senate should Immediately act upon
on the ground of the perfect fitness {
Tue nomination, and expressed stron
nope that the vote would be unanimou,
II was so. Then Mr.. Calhoun, as
Sa'a' for the honor and credit of the Ser
"'e' moved that the vote. should be re
corded as unanimous, and it was so OIL
dered.
Illus much of the subject of this brie
IoHce' In all the relations of life, /
pubic and private, Mr.. Samuel Prentis
deserves as I to go down to posterity as on
\ NJ 'ne most highly honored among on
LEW 1" England worthless. His merits
S aAe MIN " for all in all" have seIdor
g IsH surpassed by any of our public mel
LIE was fitted IN oil ,.o-s.14. =. eII :.