New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-04-10

Death of Judge AtOcha.

Death of Judge Atocha.
Yesterday evening, after enduring pain
full illness for many months, Judge Atocha
died.
ALICE Aloysius Atocha was born in New
Orleans January y, 1884. OF wealthy and
distinguished parentage, his early educa-
ton was of the best and his brilliant mental
qualities were carefully developed. He was
| fine English and French scholar, we'll
versed in Italian and Spanish, and possessed
| considerable knowledge Of German. With
the most approved literature Of these Ian
guages he was familiar, and it was because
his taste led him toward the modern classics
that his Greek and Latin fell into dsuse.
His mind absorbed everything within its
reach and nodded it to suit its own genius.
Everything he said or did bore his mark,
that distinguished it from the common run.
Soon after his majority he became the
pupil Of Charles O'Conor, of the New York
bar, and protited by every hint Of that great
jurist.
He returned to New Orleans when Gen
eral Banks was in command, and was
appointed by him provost judge. 1t was
here that he developed those judicial talents
which in his later position won for him the
admiration Of all citizens of New Orleans.
Succeeding the accomplished Judge Bell, of
Boston, he presided over the only criminal
court OF the city, in the trial OF all crimes
from the gravest to the petty disturbance
of the peace, with such ability, impartiality
and rectitude that he sustained the high
reputation of the court, and he left the
position with the unanimous verdict that
he had been good judge"
In returning to the practice of his pro-
fession, Judge Atocha devoted himself to
the criminal side Of the court But his
knowledge If both common and civil law
and their sources was extensive and exact,
and he was always safe, ard generally a
successful civil counselor. He speedily
acquired an enviable reputation and an
abundent income. He was able to decline
cases, when rendered with fee, but he
never refused an appointment by the court,
if by any possible sacrifice he could perform
the duty. When he had once espoused a
cause he knew no duty but his duty to his
client, and he performed it without thought
of the profit. His hardest work was done,
and his greatest triumphs secured, without
hope of other reward than success. As a
counselor, his great strength was in his
knowledge of human nature, perception of
character, fertility Of resource, and mastery
Of every legal point the case presented.
When it became apparent that the Grim
inal jurisdiction of this city must be re
formed, he was consulted, and his brain
conceived nearly all that is valuable in the
act creating the Superior Criminal Court.
He was selected by Governor Kellogg as
the one man qualified to organize the court
His career on the bench is familiar to all.
From his first order to his last his aim was
to make the court and it's practice perfect.
To use his own words, it should be what
the law demands and the people require
common law criminal court of the highest
jurisdiction" He succeeded His court
was court which only required the wig
and gown to become the peer of the Queens
Bench. His first order was issued April l3,
1874. only one year ago. His last appear
ance in court was Wednesday, February g.
He had been quite i'll for some weeks and
the day before confined to his room, but he
forced himself to attend court, empanel a
jury, and try case which lasted late into
the evening, and in his exhausted state
suffered relapse which ended in his death.
oil hic il1uoac ho hoo hoov <onl lor
cared for by bis mother, who came on from
Washington ON the first news of it's serious
character. Her loss is severe for he was
the last of her four sons Day after day he
endured intense pain without q complaint,
sustained by characteristic nerve and
hope. To the last his interest in his
court never abated, and from his sick
room he watched every public event with
active intelligence. On Monday morning
he seemed much better, but toward night
became worse than before. During the day.
he may have become satisfied his end was
near, for he made preparations and gave
minute directions. From that night he had |
40 sleep and was in constant pain. His |
peculiar malady, Bright's disease, racked |
lim continually, but he suffered almost in |
silence. Friday afternoon at fifteen minutes |
past three death relieved him. His funeral |
will take place this afternoon at three |
''clock, from the residence of his cousin,
Dr.. F. r. Alpuente. His body afterward |
will be transported by the Jackson railroad |
o Washington, to be laid by the side Of the |
emalns of his father in Mount Olivet
Thus has passed away from US a man
Who has exercised a powerful influence in
he affairs of State, which would have be-
ome more potential if he had been permit.
ed to live.
Added to his qualities of mind were polit-
cal principles which were Republican from
incere conviction. From these principles
10 never swerved.
He was q stapnch and tried friend, and if
e had enemies who injured him in word or
iced he never alluded to them. If he diff
cred with any one, the difference was
marked and open. There was no conceal
aent of his opinions or actions.
As judge he has made a name which
vii be envied and an example which may
70 followed, but will be hard to equal. In
residing he was dignifed, somewhat stern
t times, quick to decide each point as it
rose, and rigid in discipline. Neither as
.,,l |