The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1881-10-28

forbid my claiming the full merits of your
praise and 40 overcome and embarrass me
AZ to prevent suitable reply. When / for
merly came among you, occasionally in the
practice of my profession, fattered myself
l could talk back pretty well, and return as
good as was sent, and during my services on
the bench l have always had the last word,
but / was frequently helped to the fitness
thereof by your arguments preceding you
have me completely at fault and l should
best acquit myself by saying simply that
accept this elegant token of your friendship
by application with grateful thanks. But
perhaps more is expected, and it is fitting on
this occasion that should attempt to say
more. Your speaker has beautifully and
feelingly alluded to the long years which
have been traced upon the dial since my
election to the bench, and the changes which
have taken place. Let me recall some por-
tons of that past. 1t is well known that the
Office came to me unsought, and that when
before the people, wished another might be
elected, but the compliment of the plurality
of votes was given me, and Van Buren,
county aided largely in giving me that COM
pliment. There were at that time, prejudices
among you against me, owing to my resi-
dence at Kalamazoo, my long practice and
friendship with its able bar, and perhaps
from former unpleasant experiences, fears weer
entertained that my home friends would be
specially favored that prejudice and those
fears have been overcome, AZ your kindness
towards me has testified and your expressions
tonight fully prove.
Owing to various causes, among which
was the resignation of Judge Brown and the
death of Judge Comstock, the business of
your courts was then greatly in arrears.
Now I have the satisfaction of voluntarily
leaving the Office with the business fuNy up
To time, doubtless owing in part to the fact
that / have been able to hold your courts
regularly oa time, and continuing them until
every cause III readiness was heard. He
said he did not speak of this for self-lauda-
ton, but had been largely aided by the bar
in accomplishing this, by their industry and
timely preparation of their cases. And
take pleasure III referring to another change
TO your circuit. Only few years ago the
bar of this county employed foreign counsel
i'll the trial of nearly every case, now you
have become self-reliant and only employ
counsel in difficult and important cases, such
as it would be imprudent to try alone. 1t is
fondly hoped | may have aided to this result
by friendly treatment of the Junior members
and otherwise. The Judge then urged upon
the bar of this county, the necessity of estab-
fishing and maintaining a bar library in this
county, and concluded by saying:
Allow me again to thank you for this
beautiful and useful token of your friend
ship which l shall proudly place in my own
home, and when 1 listen to the chime of its
bell numbering the hours, fondly imagine it
is the echo of your complimentary presenta-
ton. ''well done, good and faithful servant"
Again tender you my sincere and heartfelt
thanks.
The clock was an elegant one of French
design. The frame was of beautiful. dark,
highly polished Italian marble, with a panel
on either end of light brown. or wine colored
marble, and in the center of each panel
was placed raised lions head, from each of
which, OH either side, was suspended nova
BILE gilt handle. The works were of the
finest manufacture, and the striking bell was
of that sweet, mellow silverey tone, which,
when listened to at the midnight hour, in
ones wakeful dreams, is just calculated to
soothe him off to sleep again. Beneath the
door in front on plain, silver plate was in
scribed, presented to Hon. j. l.. Halves,
Circuit Judge. by the bar of Van Buren,
County, October oath, 1881.
The company then repaired to the dining
hall of the house, where an elegant supper
had been prepared for them by ''mine host"
w. n. Johnson, in manner in
which he knows just how it should be
done. The paraphernalia of the tables were
perfect, and the slightest wish of each guest
promptly received, either the personal atten-
ton of Mr.. Johnson or of one of his lady
like walters, until every one seemed perfectly
at home and at ease. After the inner man
had been well supplied, b. F. Heckert, Esq,
as chairman called upon different ones pres
ent, and, as no formal toasts had been pre-
pared, each speaker followed his own in
clination and said what he deemed appropri-
ate for the occasion.
Among those who were present not men,
bers of the bar of this county, We're Henry
F. Severens, Esq, of Kalamazoo; Thorton
Hall, Esq., of Buchanan G. E. Heath, Coun-
ty Clerk; Sheriff Van Auken, Under Sheriff
McCabe, G. +. Galligan, Esq, William j.
Sellick and the editors of the Courier and
NoRTHERNER.