Wyoming democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Wyoming Co., Pa.) 1867-1940, 1867-08-21
BIT DAVID PAUL BROWN, ESQ.

The Hon. George Sharswood was born
on the 9TH OF July, 1910, and was gradua-
ted at the University of Pennsylvania, on
the 3lst of July, 1928, with the highest
honors, delivering the Greek salutatory,and
manifesting scholarship, af which his un
ceasing industry had given an early car
nest. In the month OF August, of the same
year, he became a student in the office Of
Mr. Joseph t. Ingersoll, and after severe
| application TO his studies, was admitted to
practice on the fifth Of September, 1881.
Even after Mr.. Sharswoods admission,
| he still blended his classical with his pro-
fessional duties, besides giving some at
tention to the modern languages and it
may be truly observed of him, that it has
seldom happened that such young should
crs bore so wise head.
lie was not deficient in genius, but his
great quality consisted in rigidand in defati
gable labor. lie was model for a stu
dent. Always thoughtful, yet Away cheer
full modest and retiring in his manners,
yet in a moment of exigency not deficient
in just reliance upon himself. We do not
think he could ever have been an effective
advocate. The turn of his mind was too
tranquil to enjoy or to endure the tumult,
agitation, and excitement of fury trials
But in an argument to the court in banc,
upon point of law, few men Of his years
would have been his equal-cool, calm, COL
lected lie had fulI control of that abun-
dant stock of knowledge which untiring
perseverance and industry had enabled him
TO accumulate.
After remaining at the bar some five
years, with about the usual share of pre-
fessional business, but with bright hopes
clustering t~round him, he was elected to the
Legislature on the 10th Of October, 1887,
where, it Is sufficient to say, that he justifi-
ed the most sanguine hopes and expecta-
tions of his constituents. On the 9Th of
October, 1888, he became one of the Sc
lcct Council, and on the 29th of June, l64l
was appointed Secretary of the iLvestiga-
ting committee of the stockholders of the
Bank of the United States. On the II of
October, 1871, he was elected again to the
Legislature, and continued in that body by
1872. Scarcely had his legislative servi-
ces terminated, when, on the 8th Of April,
in the wear 1915, he received the appoint
ment of Judge of of the District Court for
the City and County of Philadelphia, and
on the 1st of February, in the year eighteen
hundred and forty eight, became its Presl
dent. On the 18th OF October. 1851, un-
4 IL ha oil
by large majority to the same judicial
position, which he had previously held from
from the Executive and Senate Of the State
He W as commissioned on the lst of Decem
Der, 1851.
In all those varied and highly honorable
and responsible employments, it may be
Justly said, that he manifested the most
abundant capacity and fitness for the du-
ties imposed upon him. But he more es-
pecially shone in his judicial qualifications.
Take him for all in ali, at his time of life,
no bench in Pensy lyania has borne more
umllemishcd, more competent, or more
exemplary incumbent. He is a man of kind
liberal, aud honorable feelings, just such
man as you might suppose was born to be
aud Heaven and his constituents continue
him to his "three-score years and ten," we
are mistaken or he will furnish the best
practical proof of the folly of legislating
Judges out of office, at the expiration of
sixty years.
Since his presidency in the district court
Judge Sharswood has been chosen Profess
scr of Law IN the Pennsylvania University,
where he is an invaluable acquisition
Apart from this duty he engaged in deliv-
erlng course of elaborate lectures before
the Commercial Institute. And when it is
remembered that the court in which he
presides, sits ten months in a year, and is
continuously and laborously occupied dur
Ing all that time, in every diversity of trials
certainly no better commentary can be re-
quired upon his eXhaustless patience and
energy of Character.
But to glance from the mental to the
personal-Judge Sharswood is about five
feet ten inches high, with slight stoop of
the shoulders, attributable, PROBABLY to his
studious pursuits throughout life. lie has
benevolent face, an even temper, great
patience, and that-without which every
thing else is nothing-uncompr
honesty. The honesty Of a judge, how
ever, is hardly necessary 10 be referred to,
as without it, no man is to be considered
Judge. He is only pageant in the temple
Of justice.
Judge Sharswood may be cited in sup
port of our theorg, ,hat judges-all other
qualities being equal from the bar
before they have been extensively engaged
in practice, generally discharge their du-
ties more satisfactorily than those who are
hackneyed in litigation, and therefore take
partial or prciudiced views of case. I'm
less the opposite sides Of the issue exhibit
great inequality in merit and strength, we
defy any man to perceive, from the deport-
ment of the judge, to what result his mind
inclincs. This is great virtue in judi
cial officer-nothing is so unbecoming in
authority, as te descend from its high call
ing into the arena of professional dissert.-
tinn apd advance c,ratuitops oD;p;ors orI