The Manchester journal. [volume] (Manchester, Vt.) 1861-current, 1862-02-04
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fFrom the Rutland Hsrald.l
THE MEN OF VERMONT.
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Richard skinner tic seventh Govern
MIR Of Vermont, was native Q! Conneeh-
cn, having been born ~ LtchIield IN that
s,n,e On lie 3olh day OF May l7fo.--
Early IN life he was employed IN u store
!, NV Haven. IL his palivc State, anu
thus. Ia part, procured the means "hich
enabled him 70 obtain legal education
:, he celebrated Law School IN his native
town. then under the direction Of that able
lawyer and profound jurisi, Tapping Reeve
IL ID. llaging completed his studies
a. thai school he was admitted TO practice
IN fiichied county ~ looO, ana sometime
during The same year, removed TO Manches-
ter. Vermont, where he continued 10 reside
till bis death.
In 1901. being then but iweniy-wo
wears III age, aud having been ~ NE STATE
hut a single year, lac WAS elected state
Attorney ior the county OF Bennington
AT this time, says one Of our ablesl Juflsts'
speakins Of another, " the oihee oi olale ;
Attorney was expected to be gwen 70 one
who would be able 10 sustain himself, ana
- larry lis case securely without aud
ac,,,ns, The combined ialcutand skill OF the
ber s. n important criminal prosecutions.
the prosecuting officer was very hkeiy 70
encounter an imposing array Of legal force
on lie part Of The defence. lAal the
pron,e did not misjudge their man, Is evi-
deneed by the fact that be continued TO
ell his office by successive annual cleo
tions Tin 1873, aud was again called upon
10 discharge the duties thereof IN lol9,--
and also from the fact, thai whilst sun
states Attorney, he was in 1906 elected
Judge Of Probate for the Northern Or
Manchester District Of Bennington eoun-
~. and was reelected to the Office II
1907, 0s, 90, 10, II, and y.
In 1918. lie declined being a candidate
orrr.election to either Of the aioremen-
toned offices. and was elected one OF the
six Members Of Congress from Vermont
lie served only one term IN Congress
and AZ the expiration thereof, IN 1919, nc
was chosen TO represent the town 81 Man
chester in the Legislature Of Nermont,and
during that Session, was elected seeoha
Associate Judge Of the Supreme Court
IL 1916 lie vas elected Chief Justice,
and VAS reelected in lel7, but declined
ON aceoun, Of the state Of bis health, and
resumed the practice Of his profession Al
Manchester
Among the numerous trials ~ when hs
was engaged, il may not be nnintcreslins
% mention The celebrated trial OF Stephen
and Jesse Bourn for the murder 81 tlieil
uncle Russell Colyin. They we're ably
defended BY Judge skinner, but without
avail. They we're found guilty aud sen
fenced 10 be hung, but on the morning o
the day appointed Tor the execution, th'
Murdered man, Colyin himself, appeare,
in Manchester aIire aud IL perfect hsath
ia 1878 Judge skinner was called from
Ii. retirement again to serve ghe pebble
being that year elected TO represent th'
town Of Manchester, for The second time
ii the Legislature OF Vermont and on tia
assembling Of that body, was chosel
Speaker
In 1920 he WAS elected by the people
Governor OF the State, with great unanim
ITS, there being iess than one thousan'
votes poIied against him, and, with simila
nnanimily. was reelected in 1921 aud ~
In his message TO the Legislature in ls2
he declined reelection.
In 1928 he was again elected Chic
Justice u the SUPREME Court, and was re
elected IL 1924. rs. 20, ~ ard "a. Vi
on being officially Informed Of his electio
10 this olicc IL ISIS, lie Immediately d.
elncd. and upon the meeting Of the JOS
assembly, 10 al the vacancy thus creates
be was again elected Such rare an
saesPcrisd compliment he did oct feel !
liberty 10 dc line. and ihereforr continue
on the bench during lhai J ar, and a u
close thereof retired 70 private life.
n addition 10 bling "a officer and men
Der a various lecai soueiies. Ie Was Pre-
idem Of me Nerh Western Branch
the American kalvcaiion Society, and 81
also one a the Trustees u Aidaiehur
College Eom l>07 sill lis Death iroi