Daily Republican., 1880-03-05

Anu ho prhcblcou largely IN Inc hQJAcei
counties, though the practice Of fidih
the circuit had been abandoned Ion
before. His fathers death was an In
portant event In his life, and gave ril
to necessity to struggle for himself
and others who were left on his hand
for support-oonsisting Of mother
two sisters and brother, the latter
be educated. This necessity proved
blessing to him, and inspired him
toll night and day till he was secur
from embarrassment.
After practicing law three years h
was married, March 18th, 1922, in Mid
dlstown, TO Miss Ssllie Ann Fisher {
Camden. Ha lived in Camden fo
some time, but finally removed !
Dover. There were born to him tw
sons, and here occurred that fatal ca
lamity, the shadow Of which was neve
lifted from his soul when his wife die,
in his arms, leaving two sons only q few
months old. His love for his wife ha'
been the greatest influence over him
The necessities of the hour pressed
upon the brave man, and he did no
give up to grief, but closely applied
himself to his profession. 1t was a say
ing with him that "work was all tina
saved him." He never married agair
though often pressed 10 do so.
There can bs no doubt but that Clay
ton was one Of the first lawyers Of tn,
State. In everything he showed the
rarest abilities, and all his business was
performed completely as the records o.
court will show.
The Honorable speaker now turned
his attention to his relation with Clay.
TOP, and said he was in a position tc
know his great thoroughness. Every
faculty was stretched to gain success.
The Chief Justice said he should never
forget the great labor he made him per.
form as amanuensis in preparing the
pleadings in the great Randall case. II
was dictated as he paced his office and
revised many times. This case gave
him great favor. II was remarkable
from the fact that before the verdict
was rendered no such large finding for
unllquidated damages had ever been
given in the United States.
As a jurist he was equally remark.
able. His witnesses were not afraid oi
him, and he handled them most sue.
cessfully. So on the other side, was
he equally successful in gaining the
truth from an opposition witness.
Whenever Clayton was to try q case
the court room was sure to be crowded.
He was called to prosecuts many i'm
portant cases, one Of which, the trial OF
a desperate kidnappsr in Sussex Co.,
was famous for the fainting of a false
witness, who swore to an alibi, under
his cross-examination. During the
three years he was Chief Justice no
writs of error were ever found. against
his decisions. While on the bench
there came mp celebrated trial for
blasphemy. His decision in this gave
him great fame, and it is to be found
in the end of II Harrington's reports.
lie now soon retired from the prac-
tice OF law and only took part in spe-
cial cases. One of these was the contest
with New Jersey for Pea Patch Island.
In this he was assisted by James A.
Bayard. The preparation fthis case and
its argument before Hon. John Sergeant
the referee in Philadelphia, made these
two Delawarians to be looked upon as
leading lawyers of the nation.
In his study Of cases, he was differ
ent from many; instead of looking to
books for his course, he studied the case,
and then went to the books. If they
differed from his views he modified his
opinions. He seldom had to do this,so
1eep was his early training. Thus have
We gone over his professional life.
The cause of Clayton identified him
self with the Federal party in l820-22
vas now stated at great length. In
1922 he was elected State Auditor
rom 1924 to 1928 was Secretary of
State, and after that member of the
House of Representatives. In 1928
Clayton took the side of the Admins
ration in that bitter contest and his
,arty was victorious. In 1929 he was
elected to the U. S. Senate, and went
here in 1880, the youngest member of
hat body. At that time the Senate
some of the greastest men
america ever produced. Benton, Cal
loun, Clay and Webster among them.
ntO this society he entered and became
! favorite as well as prominent man
.mong them.
The rest of the address was devoted |
% Clayton's course iu'tbe Senate and |
he debates that occurred there.
At the conclusion a vote of thanks
vas rendered the Chief Justice on mo-
ion of DR.. l.. p. Bush.
MnA1GMpr