The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-06-03
CLOSE OF THE MAY TERM OF
CIRCUIT COURT.
Presentation Of a Cane to Judge
Wilkinson.
Remarks Of Judge Drury and
Response of Judge Wilkinson.
RETIREMENT OF HON.IRA o. WILL
KlNSON FROM THE OF
FICE OF JUDGE.

Atthe opening of court this Monday )morn-
ing, there was an unusually full attendance of
the members of the Bar, and also many
spectators, who had been attracted to the
Court House by a rumor that some interest
ing ceremonies were to be performed on the
retirement of Judge Wilkinson.
After the usual routine of morning bust.
ness, and the entering of the usual orders at
the close of term of court, Judge Drury
asked permission to occupy few moments
time, and addressed the court, substantially
as follows
JUDGE WILLIAMSON Your term of Office
is about to expire, and you are soon to retire
from the judicial position which you have
occupied for the past six years. The duties
of the Office having been performed to the
entire satisfaction Of the Bar of this county
they have considered it proper to express to
you, on your retirement, their sentiments OF
approval.
At meeting of the members of the Bar
Of this county, series of resolutions were
passed which am commissioned to present
to you and request that they may be spread
upon the records of the Court In presenting
them, I may be permitted to say that the
duties of your office requires varied and
more than ordinary ability. 1t requires ex
ecutive ability for the dispatch of business
when dispatch is necessary. 1t requirs firm
ness to adhere to decision when combatted
by forcible and ingenious argument. 1t re
quires dignity, to command respect; not
that dignity which requires artificial helps
such as wigs and gowns; not that freezing
dignity which chills every person who comes
within its influence; but gentle, kind
gentlemanly dignity which commands
respect because of its gentleness. 1t requires
profound knowledge of the law, and thai
other most essential quality, good common
sense to apply legal principles to particula
facts and cases. You possess all these quail
ties, and herein consists the secret of your
great success as judicial officer.
would not say that during the whole
term of your Office you have not committed
errors. IF / said so, I doubt
whether you would believe me-
long as you have and not commit some
errors. But this l can say, you have com
mitted as few errors as any man who ever
presided the same length of time. You have
been diligent, patient, courteous and kind
1uC HcIiUcIS vi OAR nave lulpUStu Ou
me the further pleasant duty of presenting to
you another and may be ever present testi-
monial of their appreciation of your judicial
services. In the name and in behalf of the
members of the Bar of this county, present
to you this cane, and they beg you to accept
the same. They do not present it to you be
cause of its money value. 1t is of little value
in dollars and cents. They desire you to
accent it as memorial of their appreciation
of your merits as a Judge and gentleman
Take it, and when the vigor of youth and
more mature manhood shall have passed
away, and you seek to rest upon it, may your
mind rest in pleasant memories " on those
who presented it as the best evidence they
could give you of their kindest regards.
His remarks were listened to with great at
tention and apparent admiration, and we
have since heard many speak of them as re
markably appropriate to the occasion, and
very handsomely delivered. At their close
Judge Drury presented the cane to the
Judge, and then S. R. Allen, Esq, of Port
Byron, read the following paper, viz: