The Sedalia weekly bazoo. [volume] (Sedalia, Mo.) 187?-1904, 1880-09-28

Speeches and Resolutions Of Re-
spect by Prominent Members
Of tho Sedalia Bar on His
Retiring From the
Bench.

lesterOev the SePtemoeI tefm Oh on
circuit court closed, AMI with il the tern
of office Of Judge Wood. who, for the las
six year, has presided as circuit Judge II
this dIstrict.
Immediately after the adjournment o
court. q meeting Of members Of the ba
Vas called in the court room, to take som'
appropriate action in the way Of resolu
tions Of respect for the retiring judge
About thirty members Of the bar were PREF
ent, when Mr.. Frank Houston called then
to order, stated the object OF the meeting
and nominated Col. Phillips NJ chair
man.
Col Philip. vas made chairman enc
Henry L,mm secretary.
The following committee on resolutions
was appointed BY the chair, viz: +
Houston, Col. Sn~idy, II. L. Sinneti, E. J
Smith and Judge Durham.
On motion Of Judge Shirk, Mr.. SamP.
son took the chair and Col. Philips spoke
the sentiments Of the meeting in short
address, in which he said:
81 vas surprised recently in looking
over this bar u lind that ] was it, Oldest
member in active practice. Ii seems but
few years ago when ! came here but a
besr,ile-s hoy with nolhins but NV license
to practice aud my hop~s, but long
years have passed. since then
have known Judge Word since 1856; he
is nov serving out his second term On the
bench; ! have always admired his unques
toned integrity; no msttef how tDuch
members of the bar may have differed from
Judge Wood, do nut believe any of them
here present will believe that he Vas in
fluenc,!d b. any but Just motives: ] believe
he has been an honest man and judge and
has dispensed justice with firm and inn
partial hand; the best I'll u while in
practice are apt TO think that when Judge
rules against ia he il either fool ar prrju-
diced, and when in favor of IL that he - n
gentleman and . good lawyer; have found
that the hest way In infineIce judge is Ia
iirsi understand your case; second, always
treat the Judge with respect; neglect either
of ii.e-e points and Won are Liable To incur
the d,-plea-ure Of the Judge; Judge Wood
has always won aud retained the respect
and confidence of ihi. bar; he j. now an old
man, and has lived an even. laborious,
u.eiul and honest life, ard there is nothing
more delightful in this world OF s,gifrs thaR
a human life rounded out full al honor and
public tru-t. There IL not . blot Od the
ermine of Judge Wool, and he has won
the gresie-t honor . man can win-sn un-
sullied name, and am pleased to be able
10 bear my testimony to that fact"
Judge Shirk, being called on. spoke in
high terms Of the sincerity and honesty Of
Judge Wood.
Judge Hill also paid high compliment
to the honor aud honesty Of the retiring
judge.
jill. Boutwell, spoke briefly in Asttering
terms Of his unque-,ioned integrity.
Messrs. +. 4. Sampson, John Furgeson
and other, endorsed the sentiments VI the
speakers.
The committee on resolutions reported
the following. which were unanimously
adopted ~ expressing the sense Of the
meeting. and the committee was instructed
to have them spread on the records Of the
circuit court NJ its next January meeting /.
Whereas, The Hon. WIN. T. Wood,
Judge Of the sixth judicial circuit Of Mis-
souri,, who has so faithfully and ably pre-
sided a. Judge Of said court for the past
seven years, il now about 10 retire from the
bench. and has just adjourned court for
the last time in Pettis county; and,
Where's, II il in accordance With the
sentiments of the bar o! Pettis county here
assembled, apI.recisting and acknowledge
ing the high character, the judicial mind.
and the grra, learning Of Judge Wood, to
give expressions in an appropriate manner
of the high regard in which he is held by
the memier- al this bar; therefore.
Resolved, I. That il j. with sincere re-
yrei that ~e are called upon to sever our
with the Hon. WIN. I. Wood,
who has 50 Justly performed all the duties
Of the high and honorable Office Of circuit
Judge within our county; that during all
that time his administration Of the Judicial
povers ard duties imposed upon him has
without exception exhibited, in q mot
eminent degree, the thorough learning,
careful research, and clear and vigorous
legal reasoning. which were so prominently
hi. characteristics.
{. That in the performance of the
m nifold and ariuous duties Of his said
Office, his whole object seemed TO he to Rs
rertain only on which side of the causes
pr, sented In him for determination Was
right and Justice, and when he Was able,
BY his clear mind and familiarity With
legal principles to discover that fact, he
would administer Justice and right with
out regard to persons or measures.
8. That one leading characteristic Of
the Hon. VIM. T. Wood n Judge vas
the mercy that tempered his whole admin
exhibited BY the watchful care
he ever exercised to zee that no injustice
vas done the accused and that he had every
right the Law gave him. in criminal cases
while he had jur sdiction n criminal
Judge, and in the exercise of his discretion
in allowing poor persons TO assert their
rights IN his court. whether able to pay
costs or not, and il can be said With truth
to his lasting honor. that the worthy poor
man was never driven out of his court
on account Of his poverty. hut had the
same rights there n the wealthy and pow
erful.
4. That during the seven years Of our
intercourse with Judge Wood, the reIa-
lions between him and our 5.r have been
Of the uoss cordial and pleasant character,
and that he has At all times shown true
patience, great forb-srsncr. and . ju.t sp-
probation OF the proper relations between
the bench and the bar.
S. That our kindest and best wishes
shall accompany him wherever he may
60. And should he again take up the
practice at the bar We shall welcome him
and no doubt we will be greatly bene-
fitted By his advice and assistance - We
have heen BY his Just and able decisions.
6. That there resolutions be certified BY
the chairman and secretary Of this meeting
and handed to his Honor, Judge Wood,
ard copies be furnished to the newspapers
Of this city for publication.
F. HoUsroN,
WV. ). SNoDDY,
E. ]. SMITH, Com.
RI. DURHAM,
H. G. SINNErT,