Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1881-06-01
JupoE q. l.. CRANMER.
HIS Retiring Speech to the Bar-A Pesti-
moaIal


moalal
Yesterday afteruooa the Municipal
Cont room was we'll filed with mem.
beers OF the Ohio county bar, who came
10 take leave OF Judge Cranmer, who re.
tired from the bench. Ia doing so he
made the following address:
Gentlemen of tie Bar:
At the close OF my official duties, when
the pleasant relations which have united
US heretofore are about to be dissolved,
I have felt before retiring. from the
bench that ought TO embrace the OPP
portunity OF expressing 10 you, as mem
bers OF the bar, my SENSE OF the kindness
and courtesy which you have Invariably
extended to me in the discharge Oi my
official duties, and to- recognize IN this
public manrer my obligations Ia you
/ ,r that co. operation and ALL Whi'h YOU
have never failed to manifest towards
me. by which means you have IN no
small degree contributed To Tighten the
labors and to expedite the business "i
the court.
During the period which | have hal
the honor of presiding over this trlhu-
nal, have doubtless made hilStaErS'
hut whenever | have boen sailsh I'll IN
my own mind that j have erred IN Juog'
ment, ! think you will do me the justice
10 admit that have never permitted
a false pride to prevent me from rectiiy'
ing them. To err is human. but 10 per-
sist in error when it is revealed, IS 10
encourage the false at the expense OF
trnth and Justice. This | have sought
to avoid.
The eight years which cover my term
OF service, have in some sense been
period OF transition, as some OF those
who were members OF this bar at the
time OF its commencement are miss
ing from our ranks, while many
new ones have since been added.
In a few years at the farthest
the older members will all have been
gathered to their fathers, and the res
possibilities and duties OF the profession
will devolve wholly on the younger.
And take the liberty OF saying IN re.
gard to these latter that the nantes OF
the departed will be well and worthily
worn by those who succeed them.
Iflwere TO follow the prOmptings OF
nv heart on this occasion, might
8 Jeak OF individual instances OF kind-
ness, of forbearance, Of practical deeds
| and generous tokens springlng from I'M
se fish hearts, characterizlng the con-
duct OF not lew but many oil those
with whom we have come in contact
during our judicial life, which will ever
remain with us as bright mementoes Of
the past and which will tend to cast
L L l. ~ VI
lies before US.
1t is nv purpose in the course OF a lew
weeks to resume the practice oi my pro-
fession and ask you TO receive ne into
your ranks as brother, whose earnest
effort it will always be to unite with You
in the yindication OF its honor when as.
sailed and to support Its dignity when
traduced.
As a testimonial OF your recognition
OF nv services you have been pleased to
confer upon me practical expression o,
the same by the bestowment OF git,
classical in character, chaste IN design
and beautiful in conception. The grace
ful manner in which you have accom-
plished this only adds "a renewed obliga-
ton TO the many under which l already
labor. In returning to you my acknowl-
eigement for this expression oil your
partially and sympathy can say moth
ing which could suitably convey to youa
sense OF appreciation OF your act, and
therefore will not attempt it, except To
remark, thank you.
And now, in conclusion, while i
speak for my successor, your confidence
and courtesy, which i know will be
freely granted, ! at the same time close
the record ofthe present term and as |
retire, greet the COMING Judge with the
expression of the hope that his term OF
office may be as pleasant and gratifying
as mine has been, and at its close that
he may be able to look back upon the
past with mingled emotions OF satisiac-
ton and pleasure.
A hearty hand.shake all around was
then INDUCED in. Judge Cranmer has
served for many years, and carries away
with him pleasant recollectiOns OF his
intercourse with the bar while on the
bench.