Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1867-11-07
1t shows in a strong light the confidence

felt by Governor Smith in his patriot
ism, capacity and purity OF character.
"Governor Williams also served his
country during one campaign, in the
war of 1912, as major OF militia, In a
regiment called into service to protect
the northern frontier"
He was States Attorney for the Coun'
ty OF Rutland, in 1914, and 1876 and
as such, In behalf OF the State, conduct
ed the prosecution against John AHtho''y,
for the murder OF Joseph Green, on the
night OF the 18th OF February, 1914,
He was elected Judge OF the Supreme
Court of Vermont in 1922, '23 and "a,
and held the Office for the two former
years, but declined the last election. He
was appointed Collector of Customs for
the District Of Verml Mt in 1925 and held
that Office till October, 1929, when he re-
signed, being again elected one OF the
Judges Of the Supreme CourL OF YER
mont. To this Office he received seven
teen successive annual elections, usua uy
receiving an unanimous vote; and du-
ring the last thirteen years, he held the
position Of Chief Justice.-a longer term
than any other has ever held that office
in this State, He retired from the bench
in ls46, having peremptorily declined a
reelection.
In the spring Of 1S48, he was mani-
ntoRsly electe member of the Council
of Censors, and upon the assembling Of
that body, was, In like manner, elected
its President. This election" says
Chief Justice Redfeld; "is the more
noticeable, as at the time, the State was
divided into three political parties, and
his name was placed at the head of all
the tickets, each Of which, 10 other re-
spects, contained different names from
both the others, and his twelve associ-
ates were not elected by even majority,
so evenly were the parties divided, but
only by a plurality vote"
In 1850 and 1851, he was elected Gov
erDor of the State of Vermont, by ma
jority of the popular vote.
During his administration q general
banking law was passed, and also law
providing for the incorporation Of man
ufscturing companies, without resort
to the Legislature.
at was" says an able writer in the
Ne0 York Times, during his administra-
tion that the Legislature OF that State,
passed the celebrated Habeas Corpus
Act, which has been so much more gen.
orally denounced than understood. But
this Act is still among the Statute Laws
of the State, and future age will do
justice to the spirit of the people who
passed and sustained it. Governor Will
liams made it the subject OF an elab-
crate vindication in his last annual mes
sage"
In his annual message to the Legisla-
ture in 1851, he announced that at the
~-ssi.s-s.~.. &c sA.~ t,~A.S.~--A y~~s, ~phioh
has just commenced, my official relations
to the Legislature and the people will
cease, nor shall again be a candidate
for the Office to which have been elect
ed"
He was In 1927 appointed one of the
State Commissioners for Common
Schools board appointed, to select
and recommend, suitable text books,
for the use of the common schools, and
to have general supervision over the
educational affairs OF the State.
He was member of the Corporation
of Middlebury College from 1925 to 1843
and was honorary Vice President and
Member Of several learned, scientific
and historical societies, and at the time
Of his death was President OF the Soci-
ETY. OF the Alumni of Williams College.
He received the degree Of Master Of
Arts from Middlebury and williams Col
lege in 1903, and that of Doctor of Lavs
from the former College In 1884.
Governor Williams died very suddenly
at his residence in Rutland, March 9th,
1858, in the list year of his age. Ap.
propriate notice was taken of his death.
by the Supreme Court of Vermont then
in session, and by the Bars of Rutland,
Bennington, Windsor and Washington
Counties.