Whig and tribune. [volume] (Jackson, Tenn.) 1870-1877, 1875-10-23


beneVOlence manifested itself in a NUM-
hceut charity to the churches Of East Ten
nessee; he gave more, for many years, to
their Improvement and support than any
other man in his section Of the State
His charities were not limited by hun
dreds, but amounted TO thousands. He
always had a kind word Of encourage
ment for young men struggling with diff
tiCulties.
The Chairman Of this Committee re-
members one striking instance Of his
quick sympathy and generosity. A Young
lawyer of Knoxville, with a family to
support, had unfortunately got his home
involved for debt, and it was To be sold
on day fixed. Judge Mckinney, then
Z member Of this Court, had no business
or personal connections with the Young
lawyer, indeed scarcely knew him. The
facts were stated 10 Judge Mckinney,
and application made for the necessary
aid; although he did not have the money
on hand, vet he went out borrowed the
funds from the Union Bank, to the n
mount Of of 81 900 or more, and saved the
home of tsle stranger He was frugal in
his habits, prompt in all business trans
actions, and when he was called to the
bench in 1877, at the age of Il, he had, by
the Legitimate Accommodations of his profess
siOnal labOur alone, acquired a handsome
competency, and laid the foundation Of a
fair fortune. He escheWed political life
but when the convention for 1884 was
called, his standing, in his county and
circuit, we're such that his services were
demanded by the people; though we may
VOL believe, from his course in life, they
were reluctantly yielded. Few in that
assemblage stood higher in the estimate
of his associate members, or more wOr-
thily claimed regard.
In 1896 he was placed upon the ElectO-
raj ticket for Tennessee, by the Wings Of
the First District, and as such cast his
vote for the Hon. Hugh Lawson White,
for the Presidency. In 1871 he was NOM
mated for Congress by the Wings Of the
First District, but, although the nOmina-
ton was, at that time, virtual guarantee
of election, he declined il. The reputa-
ton of a lawyer was then even more To-
cal and confined than now, when superb
or facilities OF accommodation eX-
list; yet, at the comparatively early age Of
Al, Mr.. Mckinney was well known
throughout the State, for his prO-eminent
requirements and skill as q lawyer, and
for the lofty integrity of his character
On the resignation Of Judge Reese, al
though many able aspirants presented
and urged their claims before the legisla-
ture of 1917; yet, over letters of positive
and peremptOry declinatiOn from Mr..
Mckinney, the Legislature rendered him
the Office of Judge of the Supreme Court.
The Office urgently sought the man, be-
cause Of his superior fitness, not he the Of
fee. For time it was doubtful Wheth-
er he would serve, but the opportunities
oflawyers, the flattering manner in which
the Office had been conferred, without
asking and against his wish, together
with the assurance Of the general desire
that he should accept the place, prevailed
over his reluctant mOdesty. The result
justified the confidence OF the people, and
dispersed his own misgivings, as to his
fitness for the office. From the first he
stood master OF the position, and to the
end of his judicial life, running through
period OF 10 years, no man ever labOred
with more untiring energy, or more I'M
ceasingly toiled with the arduOus labors
of the bench. 1t was, indeed, with some,
who left him labOring at night, and found
him at work before dawn, q problem
when he slept, or whether he slept ut all.
If he was sometimes less patient on the
bench, than counsel deemed judicial
suavity required, 1t was attributable to
his excessive labors, insufficient rest
and the grating evidence of want of pre-
paratiOn in the counsel. Here was laid
the foundation of the decay of his health,
and his departure hence earlier, than the
strength of his constitution would have
justified US in apprehending. In Janua-
~, 1861, the Legislature of Tennessee Sc
lected him as a delegate, for the State al
large, to the Conference, a posi-
ton for which his moderation, cOnSerya-
tism, and temperate wisdom eminently
qualified him; he gave his earnest efforts
to devise some means of pacifying the
two sections, believing that within the
Union, and under the Constitution, were
to be found ample remedies for every pO-
litical trouble, and means to prevent the
dire alternative of bloody war. In his jul
diciaI position he earned a character see
Ond to none of his predecessors or cOtem-
pOraries In the State. His style was clear
lucid and terse; his logic was cOnvinc-
ing, being always based on sound, practi-
cal reasons and principles, his judgment
WAS sound, and never misled by speciOuI
distinctions or subtle retinements; his de-
cisiOns were generally accepted as law,
were always based on good reasons, and
( received with Difference and respect. II
he erred it was with much support OF
practical reason, well backed by authOri-
tics, aptly applied, and difficult TO dis
place. In manner he was quiet and dig
nitied, though very cordial, and occasion
ally given TO relaxation and genial enjoy
ment. On the bench, he was ever the
! judge, and from the bar required rigid
/ adherence TO the prOprieties of the pro-
/ feSSiOn, and the rules Of the Court, for
I the prompt dispatch of business. After
[ the close OF his term he was selected with
Z Hon. Archibald Wright and F. i. FogG
4 commissioner for the sale of delinquent
! Railroads of the State; a most important
! trust involving the disposition Of millions
of property, and the proper handling OF
/ legal questions Of = novel and delicate
character. The selection Of these three
gentlemen to execute this trust, was lOf
~ testimonial fpUblic confidence in theil
ability and integrity. In this, his LAS
public employment, he was, rs during his
whole life, assiduOus and attentive, Civ,
ing attendance at the meetings of the
board, and dcvoting his best service and
efforts to do the work before him. Fol
many years member Of the PreEbyteri.
an church, he was liberal of his means L
religious enterprises, constant in his al
tendance on the services of the church
aud throughout, long life, z consistent
and devoted christian. In the death OF
I such a man, full of wears, and of hOnOrs
the people of Tennessee sustain a los,
which will De felt by all, and will great.
! " move many. His judicial character i.
I left To us, and the fruits of his career in
that capacity will form 4 part Of the lega
treasure Of the State. His example is
worthy Of study and imitation by thj
young men of the country. From youth
or early manhood, 10 the close Of his ca.
reCr rs q practising lawyer, with marked
siuTlencSs of purpose, he devoted him.
self 10 the study of the law as n science
and TO the prompt, faithful and thorough
discharge of his duty to his clients. The
moving power and motive Of his life was
stern sense Of duty TO his professional
obligations; the enticing calls OF social
pleasure, the tempting honors Of politi-
cal life, and the alluring hopes Of rapid
gains in trade, all alike failed 10 draw
his steady eye from the goal Of use and
duty. His ambition, if he had any. was
only manifested by his untiring efforts 10
fit himself for the highest position
OF usefulness in. his profession. SpotleSs
integrity, fidelity 10 every personal Obli-
CATION. at any sacrifice, rigid adherence
o. truth in all he said or did, marked the
lifelong history OF this extraordinary
man. lie MAS marked by his acquaint-
auces for his perfect freedom from un-
Kindness To any or all OF his associates OF
ar.uaintauces: uucharitzble remarks a.
but any brother Of HE profession never
fell from his lips; and no small vices de
formed the beauty of his full rounded
character. or stained his spOtless name.
His quiet death. without a struggle, a
gr3an, or "a sigh, WAS nit close 10 his
grand life. The memory of the good and
ll.s great. Is. ~ last. the best treasure Of
i.IukinG, pointing 10 higher aims and
better things. After all that may be said
1.r material things, the achievement of
.u honorable name, the admiring gaze OF
tl- good and the true, and the apprecia-
toe acknowledgment of his cOuntrymen,
= the best reward that man can win.-
Such was and will be the reward of the
L. and interchangeable labOrs of Robt. J.
, KINNEY. lie was u cOnsumate iurist,
g al his illuStriOus name viii live az long
Co. we preserve those monuments of his
5.uIicial labors and ability, in our reports
Iaom 5 Humphreys, through Swan, Sneed
and Heads reports. His character and
private life is Is beautiful in its Roman
-lrnulinifE nml nnrirN, - liS inlinial Ia