Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1880-09-25
RETIREMENT OF JUDGE WOOD.
The close OF the Circuit Court-A
Meeting Of the Sedalia Bar
Resolutions Compliment.
ing the Retiring Judge
Eloquent Addres.
ses by Prominent
Members of
the Bar.

From the Sedalia Democrat Sept. e.,
Yesterday the September term of the circuit
court closed, and with it the term of office
past seven years presided over the court of this
judicial circuit with SO much dignity. On the
a meeting Of the Bar of Sedalia was called.
Col. John F. Philips WAS chosen chairman,
and Henry Lamm, Esq, secretary.
Mr.. F. Houston stated the object Of the meet
ing to be to prepare a fitting testimonial to
Judge VIM. T.. Wood. on taking leave of him as
circuit Judge.
to draft appropriate resolutions. The Chairman
appointed as members of the Messrs.
franklin Houston. ". W. $, Snoddy, Robert
The retired to draft resolutions.
On motion, f. A. Sampson was requested to
take the chair, and Col. John r. Philips was re-
quested to address the bar on the subject upon
which the bar had met.
The Hon. John F. Philips then addressed the
bar IN IA very nttIng and feeling speech eulogistic
of the retiring judge, and recalling IN choice
terms the pleasant relations of the bar with
him.
the meeting, by Judge Shirk. who in his re-
marks gave voice to the universal respect felt by
the Sedalia bar for Judge Wood, and regret over
Judge Hill. John Ferguson. j. II. Boutwell,,
F. A. Sampson and Col. Hoy IN turn addressed
the meeting.
The committee reported the following resolu-
tons, which on motion were unanimously
adopted AZ the sense Of the meeting:
the Sixth Judicial Circuit OF Missouri, Who has
so faithfully and ably presided as judge OF said
court for the past seven years, Is now about to
retire from the bench and has Just adjourned
court for the last time in Pettis county; and
Whereas, 1t is In accordance with the senti-
ments of the bar of Pettis county here
acter, the judicial mind. and the great learning
of Judge Wood, to give expression IN an apprO.
pirate manner OF the high regard in which he
is held by the members of this bar; therefore,
Resolved, !. That it is with sincere regret thai
we are called upon to sever eur connection with
| performed all the duties of the high and honora-
BILE office of circuit judge within our county
that during all that time his administration OF
has without exception exhibited, IN a most emf
nent degree, the thorough learning. careful re.
search. and clear and vigorous legal reasoning
which were so prominently his characteristics
= That in the performance Of the manifold
and artiuOus duties of his said Office. his whole
object seemed to be to ascertain on which side
of the causes presented to him Tor determine tior
WIS right and Justice, and when he was able, by
his clear mind and familiarity with legal princi.
Piles to discover that fact, he would administer
justice and right without regard to persons OIL
measures.
3. That one leading characteristic OF the Hon
william T.: Wood as a judge was the mercy tina
tempered his whole administration, exhibited
by the watchful care he ever exercised to sei
no injustice was done the accused and that h,
had every right the law gave him. In cr'mina
cases, while he had Jurisdiction as Il crimina
Judge, and in the exercise OF his discretion II
| allowing poor persons 10 assert tnclr TlSutS IL
his court, whether able to pay costs or not, AM
it can be said with truth to his lasting honor tina
the worthy poor man was never driven out OF hi
court on account of his poverty, hut had tn,
same rights there as the wealthy and powerful
4. That during the seven years of our inter
course with Judge Wood, the relations betwe eel
him and our bar have been Of the most cOrdIa
and pleasant character, and that he has at al
times shown II true patience. great fOrbeaIance
and a just appreciation of the proper relation
between The bench and the bar.
3. That our kindest and best wishes shall &C
company him wherever he may go. And shout,
he again take up the practice ut the bar W. shai
welcome MIN, and have no doubt we will b
greatly benefited by his advice and assistanc
as we have been by his just and able decisions
& That these resolutions be certified by tn
chairman and secretary OF this meeting an,
handed to his Honor, Judge Wood, and copie
he furnished to the newspapers of this city TO
publication. F. HOUSTON,
W. W. S. SNODDY,
+. j SMITH,
X. j. DURHAM.
III. Z. SINNEr.
Committee.
The committee were instructed to apply 10
leave to have the resolutions spread on the recOr
in the circuit court at the next term, and on Inc
ton the meeting adjourned.
JOHN F. PHILIPS. Chairman:
HENRY LAMM, Secretary.