Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1881-10-26
The Vermont Bar Association.

The annual meeting Of the Vermont Bar Asso-
citation was held in the sessions room Of the court
house last evening. Among the prominent mem
bers Of the bar present were Governor Farnham,
Judge Poland; the Hon. John Prout, Colonel Al
dace r. Walker Joel c. Baker, James c. Barrett,
L. W. Redngton, Walter C. Dunton, Rutland; the
Hon. Daniel Roberts, T. J. Phelps, L. l. Law
renee, Robert Roberts, Burlington; William Hey
wood, Lancaster, New Hampshire; George W.
Hartman, Bennington; J. K Batchelder Airing
ton; Kittredge fIaskins, Charles N. Davenport,
Brattleboro; Gilbert A. Davis, Windsor; Warren
G. French, Norman Paul, Woodstock; c. B Eddy,
Bellows Falls; John W. Rowell, West Randolph ;
F. +. Woodbridge, vergennes
Judge Dunton, the president Of the association,
presided, and in few feicitous remarks an
nounced that the proceedings of the evening
would consist OF symposium, In which addresses
reminiscent Of Judges Bennett Royce and Ma
thaniel Chapman would be made by Mr.. Phelps
and others. lie invited Mr.. Phelps to make the
opening address.
Mr.. Phelps began with some jovial reminis-
cences of the Addison county bar in his younger
days, and then gave an interesting sketch Of
Judge Bennett, whom he described az a man Of
'N'hahihkt ihttbiit1 hhu lnuuHbTyf lTltnu OF
youth; patient OF hearing and devoid of pretence.
He illustrated his character by many amusing
anecdotes, and gave pleasant description Of the
bar and bench in those days.
Judge Poland reviewed the life and services OF
Chief Justice Stephen Royce, OF whom he was an
associate on the bench lie said that Judge Royce
presided in Lamoe and Orleans counties for
quarter Of a century, when himself and Judge
Redfeld were young men practicing before him.
OF all the judges he had ever known, and he had
known all the judges Of the United States SUI
preme court and many state courts for years, none
had the perfect judicial mind which Judge
Royce possessed. lie was perfectly grounded in
the law, not reports 10 much as In Its spirit and
essence. No judge was kinder to young men, and
to the old and broken-down members Of the bar
With all his gravity Of manner there was great
deal Of genuine fun inside Of him. His humor
cropped out from time to time during the pro-
ceedngs Of court. He was great master OF pure
English, and his reports are models OF style. lie
illustrated Judge Royce's career by several pat
stories. No man was more reverenced by the
people and bar Of Vermont than Judge Royce.
Judge Chapman commemorated by the
Hon. David T. Nicholson Of Rutland 1t is i'm.
P'Ssipic W itpoIt NlCHDltDu sTtndTkf, unless
1t is done verbatim. They are always sui generis
and irresistiby witty. Mr. Nicholson fairly bub-
bes over with humor and 1t Is ever delight to
listen to him lie glanced at salient points in the
character not only Of Judge Chapman. but Of
Judge Harrington, Judge Titus Hutchinson, Judge
Royce, Judge Collamer, Judge Phelps Judge
Isaac F. Redfeld, Judge Peck and Judge Steele.
He closed with a glowing and most deserved
eulogy on Chief-Judge Pierpoint, whose absence
through illness is depored by all.
The Hon Warren c. French of Woodstock was
the last speaker. He spoke OF the prominent
members Of the Windsor county bar in 1870
Judge Hutchinson, Judge Washburn, Charles
Marsh, Andrew Tracy and others.
On motion Of the Hon. John W. Rowel Of
West Randolph the meeting was then adjourned
to meet in the grand jury room OF the court
house this morning at halfpast eight, when the
annual election of officers will be held and the
business Of the association transacted.