Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1881-07-01
Death Of Ex-Chlef Justice Warner.

Death Of Ex-Chief Justice Warner.
A brief telegram from Atlanta brings
information Of the death in that city,
yesterday, of Hon. Hiram Warner, ex-
Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of
Georgia. after long and serious illness.
Judge Warner was a man of marked
character, an erudite jurist, noted for
his purity and integrity, and esteemed
throughout the State by all classes for
the fidelity and fearlessness with which
he discharged all the important duties
imposed upon him.
In brief biographical sketch of this
grand old man, it were difficult to award
the full tribute which his character as
jurist and citizen deserves, and at this
late hour We will not attempt it.
Judge Warner was born in Massachu-
sets in 1904, and at the early age of II
determined to cast his future in the
South, selecting Georgia as his adopted
home. He arrived in Savannah in
1891, and shortly after removed
to Middle Georgia. He COM
menced his career as a school teacher,
and during his leisure hours devoted
himself assiduously to the study of law.
When sufficiently prepared he made ap-
plication for admission 10 the bar, and,
passing most creditable examination.
Immediately entered upon the practice
of his profession, securing in few years
large business.
Shortly after, he was sent to the Leg
islature, where he made most efficient
member. By the time, or before, he
was thirty years old, he was elected
Judge of the Superior Court, being the
youngest Judge in the State on the
bench. In those early days there was no
Supreme Court, but the Superior Court
Judges would convene at stated intervals.
and such cases as had been reserved for
discussion were discussed in the Conven-
ton of Judges. Judge Warner, in this
august body, by his keen, incisive legal
acumen and intellect, soon made his pow
er felt, and he became one of its leading
members. When the Supreme Court
was organized, December 10th, 1916,
Joseph Henry Iiumpkin, Hiram Warner
and Eugenius A. Nisbet were appointed
Judges of said court, and from First
Kelly to 61st Georgia Reports, or when
he resigned, can be found the impress
of his genius and industry. About 1856
Judge Warner ran for Congress against
Hon. B. H. Hill, our present United
States Senator. Mr.. Hill was the
candidate for the American party,
and was beaten at the polls by Judge
Warner. After serving one term in
Congress he returned to the practice of
his profession and was soon recalled
to the bench. In all Judge Warner was
on the bench about forty-three years
a longer time than any other citizen has
ever served. He contributed much to
give our Supreme Court decisions that
solid strength and great weight
and respect they have at home
and command abroad In the
troublous times after the war,
from 1868 to 1874, and all through that
period, Judge Warner took strong and
determined grounds against the famous
relief laws. He could countenance moth
ing that looked like Republicanism, and
all through his opinions of those days
will be found earnest and eloquent pro-
tests against the light regard in which
the sanctity of debt was held.
While perhaps Judge Warner may
have been a trifle extreme in his notions
of ''the relief laws" yet his opinions in
the Georgia Reports on that and kindred
subjects inculcatsd healthier state of
feeling and sentiment among the people,
and as a lasting compliment to him
it may be said that wherever on
such matters he dissented from
the majority of the courts, and
the case was carried to the United
States Supreme Court, Judge Warner was
sustained by that high tribunal and his
dissenting opinion declared law. He
had the deepest love for his chosen pro
fession, and always declared it was a
noble science, and had the greatest rev.
erence for all the ethics and amenities
of the profession, whether at the bar or
on the bench. He abhorred anything
that looked like bad faith, and
was the soul of honor and integrity
aud during his long and honored career
there has never been heard the faintest
breath of suspicion against him. He
was devoted to the Southern
cause, and his conduct, when
dragged from his home in Greenville by
a detachment of Wilson's raiders and
threatened with hanging if he did not
deliver up his supposed hidden treasures,
stamped him as a man of rare personal
courage, firmness and determination.
His long and honored life is now
ended, but his memory will ever remain
enshrined in the hearts of all Georgians
who appreciate the worth of ''the noblest
Roman of them ALL" who served the
State so long and faithfully.
a.