Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1869-12-01
Bar Meeting.

At meeting of a large number Of the
Memphis Bar. at the Chsncery Court
room, on the 9th day of November, 1869,
the following proceedings were had!
On motion, Hon. A. Wright was called
to the Chair, and c. W. Heiskell was ap-
pointed Secretary.
On motion of W. P. Wilson, E;q, it
was resolved that q committee be sp-
pointed, by the Chair. 10 draw up reso-
lutisns expressive of the sense of the
meeting upon the retirement of Hon.
William NJ. Smith.
The Chairman appointed the following
gentlemen on the committee: VIM. P.
Wilson, Thos. h Smith. L. D. McKis-
sick. ]. B Heiskell and W. L. Scott.
o. motion, Hon. A. Wright was added
TO the committee.
The meeting then adjourned to meet at
the same place on Tuesday, November
80, 1869.
TUESDAY. November 30, 1869.
The meeting being called to order by
the Chairman, the committee reported
by their Chairman (W. P. Wilson, as
follows.
The retirement Of Judge VIM. NJ. Smith
from the bench of the Chsncery Court of
Memphis, apd the termination of relA-
tons that have so long and pleasantly
connected him with this bar, present an
opportunity to ~, which we cheerfully
embrace, TO declare thus publicly our
senss of his merits, We have known
Judge Smith during his protracted and
srduous service as Chancellor, disehsrg-
ing the laborious and delicate duties OF
his Office under condition Of things
that tried bis capacity, temper and In
tegriiy; and thus knowing him, We bear
cheerful testimony that he has not
failed 10 either Of these qualities.
Presiding in the most important Chan
Gerry Court in the State, with a
crowded docket, full of cases, presenting
new and vexed questions, growing GU: OF
circumstances incident to the late war,
for the decision of which 10 was often
witht ut precedent in history or sdjudged
oaaes TO guide him, his position was both
tryirg and responsible; and if sometimes
the soundness of his legal conclusions
was questioned By the bar, yet it was not
to tie disparsgement of his legal attain
mentr, nor did the faint Of suspicion
attach to the judicial integrity which
guided him to, or to the eonsoientiou,
convictions which accompanied these
conclusions. 10 the yndoations Of his
integrity and conecientiousness, as We
as Of bis ability and legal attainment
Ee cheerfully pronounce Judge Smith
course as ChGnoslloy TO hsye been emf
nently satisfactory, and We submit as the
sense OF this meeting as follows:
Firsi. Be IL resolUed. That we TAKE
pleasure 10 expressing to Judge Smith tbs
assurance of our high regard, and il
bearing testimony to the uniform pa
| tienee, courtesy, integrity sad ability
that have characterized him as q judicis
fieer, and extend to hiGi a cordial vel.
cone TO the Bar as brother lawyer,
Second. That the Secretary of thi
meeting fnrDish Judge Smith with a copl
Of this preamble and resolutions. and the
the same be presented to the Judge o
the chaHcefy Court c. Memphis, to b
spread 90 the RECORDS. and to the yeriou
newspapers OF the city Of Memphis TO
publication. w. P. WILSON,
Chairman.
A. WRIoBr,
THos R. SMITH,
j. B. HEIsKtLL,
W. L. Sc0TT,
i. d. McKIssIcK,
Committee.
Mr.. S P. Yoeman moved that the res
olniions be adopted as the sense OF tn
meeting, which was done mem con.
Ga motion. Il was ordered that thl
Chairman appoint some gentlemen o
this bar to present these resolutions {
the honorable Chancery Court, with
tequest that the same be spread upon th