The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1859-02-27
Prrsaune. Feb. %, 1859.


10 he Editors If I'D Uaion.
Pcrccving in laic issue of your paper editorial
the appointment OF Hon. Wilson McCandess, of Pitts
burg to the high and responsible position of United
States Judge for the western district Of Pcnns, lvana and
prcsuming that il could not but be agreeable to know
distinctly at ''lcdqnartcrs how the appointment
received hcrcas it is always gratifying to know that
acts FOR the best properly appreciated II would do
myself the pleasure and the numerous friends of the
honorable gentleman throughout the Union the satsac
ton OF transmitting to the columns Of the sUnion a.
brief account Of the interesting ceremony Of his install
mcnt
At 10 o'clock Tuesday 22d--ias wemoraJais while
within the bar of the spacious United States court
in the custom house was filled with members of til, legal
profession ere-a singular circumstance the judge
tered escorted by the United States marshal for the dis
rct and court being opened ly the cricr, and his
mission read by r. Blic Roberts, United States district
attorney his honor announced that, in accordance with
his commission he had been in before the supreme
judges Of the United States at Washington city, and that
he ready TO hear motions. lie also announced
that he had appointed MIR. John III Bailey, formerly ed
tor Of the Unon" here clerk of the United States dis
tict court and Maurice Wallace, old soldier of the
Mexican campaign cricr In these appointments the
Judge has admirably Disseminated, not only in favor OF
sound politics, but OF sterling ability and merit.
After these appointments were announced, the Demos
themes OF the bar the Hon Thomas Williams, arose,
he said to congratulate the profession the bar the pub
lie at large aud his honor, and to bid him welcome to
his post. His remarks the reciprocal duties of the
bench and bar most appropriate and interesting,
and heard with marked attention. not only by the
profession Within but by Others, comprising OF the
most respectable of the city outside the bar and
in concluding, remarked that, .sathongh for and
twenty years have been practising at the same bar,
sometimes opposing, sometimes assistant COUNSEL can
not recall unpleasant recollection, not dscour
tcous incident unknd rcninisccncc."
The venerable Ncstor Of the profession the Hon. Chas
Shacr in address rcpletc with interest, followed in
which be narrated the history of the court aud daguer
reotypcd the predecessors Of the present learned judge
the first being Jonathan H. Walker, the father Of the
late governor of Kansas He eminent juriHt, tho
first who in this judicial district laid down those sound
principles OF admiralty law which have since been rccog
nised and confirmed by the Supreme Court of the United
States aud obtain tho western waters and all
rivers flowing TO the He went back to the
whole bar tha in his private well in his profession
nj career he had been characterized 10y honesty in
tegriiy and yrtuoa proud testimonial aid, coming
from such source, must have been deeply felt and up
prcciated
judge Mc(andess. ca eoHcira replied briefly for he
seemed too much affected 10y the exhibition of feeling
around hiur to be entirely recolcctci bnsc Law
ycrs usually not remarkably sensitive but this
occasion they evidently betrayed their human nature.
He acknowledged his embarrassment but taid it would
lie gratifying to him to he still associated with such gen
tcmcn and 1t would give him much esaDfort In his ju-
dicia position TO depend the kindly feelings existing
between the bar and the bench. lie had been al the
bar Will, Mr. Shacr and Mr.. Williams ior twenty seven
yc,rs but in the midst OF their conflicts like the heroes
OF HAD they had always shaken hands upon the field,
and parted rs friends
1t would bc altogether unnecessary fer TO describe
tue qualifications of his honor for the position, you
have done that already but yet ] might add that
could i,ok the judge better. Regarding his dignity
Of department. though, he may not boast Hyperion
curs the front of Jovc himself, still you could not
strain The conce that Shakespeare must have had just
such image lin his minds eye when he completed
the picture
A combination, am q FORM indeed,