The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-15

Portraits OF Chancellor Kent and ThOmas
Adds Emmet-Thc Late Mr. Hugh
Maxwell.
From the year 1919 till 1929 Mr.. Hugh Maxwell was
District Attorney Of the city and county OF New
York. When he withdrew from the discharge OF
the duties of that important office large body Of
the merchants and traders OF the city presented
him with silver vase OF handsome workmanship.
The reasons for this presentation set forth in
the following letter.
sR-We present you with this the part of our
testimony Of the high your integrity,
your saty District Attorney the city and
The number ana those WHOSE views ex
r. a. sss yd hs
nd oSy on aS @ large
'''''S'' $ SS$s fi !; $FsSSyy Committee
Mr.. Maxwell died some four or i've months ago,
and shortly previous to that event, he directed, by
his last Will and testament, thai the vase together
with two portraits, one OF the distinguished Chan
ceIor Kent ana inc other Q: tie brilliant advocate,
Thomas Adds Emmett should be presented to the
New York Law Institute This body held its regular
monthly meeting in the Law Library, Al Chambers
street, yesterday. Mr.. O'Conor, It's President was
called upon to preside.
Mr.. A. J. vanderpoel, who was deputed to carry
out the wish OF Mr.. MaXweli's executors, commun-
Gated to the Institute the nature of the gift that
had been made to it, and then, in brief but appro-
vase be accepted.
This motion was seconded by Mr.. Charles Tracy
The portraits were then handed to Mr.. OCOnor
who accepted them Oh the part OF the Institute.
REMARKS OF MR. o'coNoR.
Mr.. Charles O'COnOr said Mr.. Maxwell was one
Of the most respected, respectable and venerated
lawyers OF the past That we have had among us for
the last lew years. He long ago retired from the
Bar. He was only seen occasionally by those who
remember his fine figure, his lofty, dignifed and
graceful bearing when sn,S conducting col business
frequently did during the last fifteen or
sixteen years, to witness interesting foren-
sic displays and hear arguments and judgments.
knew him when was boy beginning to study
law. He was man OF splendid appearance, one OF
the finest IN the city. His facility ofspeech great
lawyers OF his day. He was much sought for as
public speaker; but when he went into ONCE his
suafs che as o his c M
his Office there were several important cases, OF
kind calling for the exercise q ability. Several
camille and financial business-the very foremost
in this city-became involved, by indscretions
@cn thew IN we're st Of
with violating statutes OF the State In particulars
that 1t was deemed very important to have en-
divided on the question in two great parties. EN-.
lnent gentlemen, many Of them doubtless OF great
integrity and pro6ity, who became involved in
that time. 1t is now nearly half century ago and
the highest manner OF excltement prevaifcd and the
greatest atagonism. Mr.. Maxwell, cOnformably
to duty, assumed the ohice Of enforcing the law.
The pfofession-thOse who were pot official, WIG
did not hold Office-were summoned, might Say, In
one body to the aid OF those numerous deiendants
and Mr.. Maxwell was obliged, with but 0 limited
amount OF ard, to contend against all the pro-
fessional and forensic ability that would be
naturally called into requisitiOu on such an
occasion. II was thought By these men, who at
that time were much better Judges than was,
gave satisfaction TO the great and disnterested
mass OF our honorable, reputable and moral citi-
gems, and one OF the results was the evidence that
his transactions had all passed Through regular
phases and there were further legal steps TO be
taken. large number OF the most respectable OF
our citizens caused to be prepared and presented
TO him o very costly and elegant article, which,
with much Just appreciation on his own part, was
preserved In the library OF Mr.. Maxwell during the
whole OF his subsequent life, and, 1t Is certain was
most properly disposed of BY him In his last Will
and testament. He singled out this institution
as the law society OF the state with which he was
most familiar, for we had among Its members
many illustri0us men whom he saw pass away
selected 1t as the recipient and presence OF this
monument OF Official talent and integrity and OF
public appreciation. trust this society will adopt
the proper and method OF preserving the gift
In manner 30 as to perpetuate the HISTORICAL
events connected with 1t. and that the glIt VIII
serve to inspire our present youth rs well as the
mature OF our profession, and form On incentive,
even for time to vrtuous acts. !Applause.l
The proceedings soon after closed. Inc vase was
not brought down, 1t being on exhibition at
Tfany's where, we learn, 1t Is insured Tor $4,000.