North Branch democrat. [volume] (Tunkhannock, Pa.) 1854-1867, 1867-06-19

lsylvania, any position Of honor or dignity
In their power 10 bestow. OF great learn
ing, spotless inregrity, and large sympa-
thies, he has won for himselfsuch an estima-
tion from his fellow-citizens as must meet
his wishes, whether they Be for public SER
vice or retirement. He upheld the law
in the face Of popular clamor, and made it
respected in the midst of passionate civil
strife, and against the frowns of power
He was tolerant even of the intollerant
and serenely brave, at time when such,
virtues brought their possessors obloquy
rather than reward. It would have been,
Therefore, "a great pleasure to the Demo
Eerats icf Pennsylvania had they been per-
mitted to continue on the Supreme Bench
one who hadlse mich adorned it. Judge
Woodward has, however, denied them that
qualification. His views of his duty, as
expressed in his letter declining a renomi-
weeks ago, SO imperatively resisted the
popular inclination, that no course was
left to the Democracy but that of respect
ful though regretfu ass ent to his wishes.
In this, situation, with the gHdgeship of the
Supreme Courtsih, their 4gff, great solici.,
tude was manifested as to the proper per-
son upon whom the judicial mantle should
fall and without disparagemcnt to any Of
the learned and distinguished gentlemen
named for that exalted position; it is no
exageration to say that the eyes and hearts
of all who cared for the reputation of the
Bench and the glory of the Common
wealth instinctiveiy turned with one accord
the Hon. George Sharswood, Of this city,
whose unanimous nomination by the
State Convention yesterday was but the
official expression and ratification Of that
universal public sentiment which demand
ed it.
Judge Sharswood sprung of a well-known
Pennsylvania family, was born on the 7th
of July, 1910. He graduated on the 3lst
of July, 1928, at the University of Penn
sylvania, with the highest honors, deliver
ing the Greek salutatory oration. He
studied law with the Hon. Joseph r. In
gersoll, and was admitted to practice, on
the 5th September, 1881. In 1887, FIVE
years after his admission to the bar, he
was elected from the City Of Philadelphia
to the Legislature of his native State
This was at time when that body num-
bered among its members many of the
most distinguished men of the State, and
when to be member Of it was an honor.
In 1888, he. was chosen member of the
Select Council ofthe City of Philadelphia,
In 1S41 and l642 he was again elected to
the Legislature. On the 9Th of April,
1S45, upon the reorganization of the pres
ent District Court for The City and Coun-
ty of Philadelphia, he received at the
hands of that pure patriot, the late Gov
crnor Skenk, the appointment of Judge of
that court; and on the lst-- Of February,
1888, became its President, sone' of bis
senior associates yielding the place to him
When the constitution was .changed in
1851 and the judiciary became elective,
and again in 1851, he was elected by the
people without an opposing candidate, the
unusual honor of a nomination by both of
the great political parties having been
conferred upon him.
Thus, for over twenty-five years, has
Jud &c Sharswood been member OF, and
for nearl y twenty years presided over, the
busiest court in this large city. How he
has filled that Office the universal testimo-
ny of the Philadelphia Bar will testify
1t is not too much to say that no judge
who ever sat in this county has com
manded to so great degree the respect
and confidence, and, if We except Judge
Bushrod Washington, the affection of the
profession as Judge Sharswood. IF it
were possible to estimate the value in
money which such Judge has been to
this community during the long period of
of his official service, the sum would seem
exaggerated to any not familiar with his
worth.
| His systemization of the business of the
court has prevented costly delays, and his
opinions have such weight that few law
yers care to risk the expense of a writ of
error from his judgments. He has con-
structed the practice of his course, and al
most created the local law of the communi.
ty. During all this time, he has been. if
not prolific, an habitual and most careful
legal writer and author. His edition of
Blackstone, of Byles on Bills, his annota-
tions to English Reports, his Professional
Ethics and Lectures have given him ma
tional reputation sas, wide as it is well
founded All over the United States he
is regarded as foremost-as a. jurist, alaw,
yer, and scholar. No new testimonials
can add to his reputation The people of
the State of Pennsylvania while conferring
upon Judge Sharswood the additional hon.
or of electing him to the Judgship of the
Supreme court, will extend the credit and
dignity of that tribunal, and enlarge the
character of the commonwealth itself.-Age
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