Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1875-10-08


At the opening session Of the United
Circuit Court, at Rutland, Tuesday, appro-
pirate honors were paid to the memory OF
the late Judge Lewis D. Woodruf, Judge
of the United Circuit Court.
United States District Attorney fitield,
with some appropriate remarks, moved the
adjournment of the Court, as a mark of res
pect TO the deceased. Hon. Z. j. Phelps
seconded the motion, with brief remarks.
Hon l.. P. Poland bore testimony at some
length to Judge Woodruff's high charac-
ter. He said, among other things
The people at large become to consider
able extent familiar with the laws OF the
State in which they live, and also with the
course Of proceedings in their own courts,
which sit in their vicinity. But with the
statutes of the United States, and their pro-
visions (which constitute so large part OF
the jurisdiction of the Federal Courts) they
are not familiar, and know little or nothing
Of their provisions. The Federal Courts sit
AZ points remote from most Of them, and
never become familiar to them, as do their
own local courts. Hence there is great
danger Of a feeling of distrust and dissatis-
faction growing up against the Federal trIbu-
mails. and their modes Of administering the
law, feeling that the tribunal itself, and
the law it administers Is alien and foreign
to them, and not entitled to that respect and
reverence belonging to their own. | have
seen something of this in ~ profession
al and judicial experience Bat in the
case of Judge Woodruff his Judicial
bearing and conduct at E disarmed
any jealousy of this chara n, and both
profession and people at ice saw that
none but yiolators of the law led fear at his
hands. | am sure never heard any man,
either lawyer or iayman, speak Of Judge
! Woodruff, or any official act OF his, but in
terms of highest respect. Solar as | know,
this was true of the whole Of his great cir
cult The duties of his Office were i'm
mense | have always felt he had the hard
est Judicial place in the whole country. lie
was 4 man OF great physical as well as men
tai power. and pursued hi, mighty task
7 with constant and untiring industry. But
the labor was too great ana after an 'all too
short tenure he fell at his post. Not
only his judicial judgment bat his whole
/ life and conduct furnish safe presidents for
Us all, not only in professional walks but in
/ all the varied duties Of our liycs.
A.daee F. Walker, ESD. alluded to the
4 high repute and confidence in which Judge
I Woodruff wa4 held by the bar OF New
York
United State Judge Shipmau, presiding,
! in granting the motion, said Of JudgeW ool-
raft
1 His position AMI the character Of his as
SOCRATES in the courts OF the State Of New
York, have been lelicitously portrayed by
one Of your own number, and with his sub
,equent career in the United States Court
the bar of this district are familiar.
His intellect was Of extraordinary breadth
and tenacity OF fibre. His power OF analysis
was wonderful. He took a case to irag-
ment- He studied the bones and sinews Of
hi subject. To change the figure, he ex-
plorel to the very t0updation every struc-
ture he was called TO examine. His research
has been alluded to. have often been
struck, in readingshis opinions, with the
yigor and earnestness with which he inyes-
tigated the minute points in the case which
he mad under discussion He permit
ted ~ suggestion however trivial to
pas. without thorough examination.
lie distinguished himself especially in the
trial of patent causes, and at nisi Prius. Per-
haps he had heard some criticism upon his
appointment a. Circuit Judge, because he
had not been particularly conversant with
patent cases However this may be, he en-
terel into the examination of this branch of
the law, with all the ardor and enthusiasm
,tt thss..'. nj oil III
determination of his will, and brought to
bear upon the subject his remarkable math
ematical powers. 50 that as a resglt he at
tainel as You are well aware, great dis
tinction in this department and. a. yoa
may al.o be aware, the docket of the south
ern district Of New York became crowded |
with patent cases. Bat, think, his pre-
eminence lay in the trial Of cases to the |
jury. His facility. and felicity in disposing |
OF questions, and his thorough familiarity |
with the principles Of law, and quickness of |
insight into the peeuliarities OF different |
cases were here more prominently exhibited |
than anywhere else. and stamped him as
great Judge Another characteristic was his |
sell reliance, and the royal yet kindly man |
ne- he bore himself upon the bench.
should DO injustice TO my own convictions
lid not add word in regard to his per-
sonal traits.
y a friend he never forgot his promises,
and he performed more than he promised.
Tie supported in public what he approved in
private, and never waried responsibility
when he had undertaken to share it.
have spoken Of his sell-relianee. When
he came to the investigation Of the grand
problems of mans destiny, he had no self
reliance BAT looked by faith and in trust
only to the n,oen aud Invisible. That
faith WAS his support during the weeks Of
Suffering, which characterized his last i'll
ness. brought resignation amid the great
est rain, and caused him II look forward
To the end which awaited him with assur-
ed hope.
Judge Woodruff Wa a representative of
New England character. lmbuei with its
principles in childhood, and reared amid its
homes, he maintained through his entire
life his love Tor the State of his birth, and
for the IDEAS which animate and inspire New
England character. In reviewing his life,
let it be, gentlemen, our pride to be mem
bers of the profession which he adorned,
our aim ever to add t. its dignity, our en-
deavors to increase its lustre.
After the adjournment Of the Court, meet
ing of members Of the bar was held, Hon. l..
P. Poland presiding, at which committee,
consisting of Il. F. FiGeld, ESD, Hon. f. j.
Phelps and Hon. John Prout, was appointed
to draft appropriate resolutions of respect
ior the memory OF Judge Woodruff
4