The Portland daily press., 1882-11-03

sOual regret Tor MS loss. ana paying my sincere
tribute to that generosity and kindness in the
practice of his profession which / shall never
forg nor cease to admire. When first came
to the bar-more than twenty years ago-Brothel
law practice and honored as one of the leading
members OF the bar. l soon came to have bust
ness relations with him, which at one time
brought us into quite intimate connections
and.l at that time, when with but little ex.
perience in life in the practice OF the arduous
vocationI had chosen, most needed kindly
sympathy and advice, found in Brother Swasey
friend without Jealousy or prejudice, willing
and aole TO encourage ana Direct ana ready
nay, anxious to assist the young man struggling
to make his way amongst those mole able and
experienced than himself.
For that kindly and genial announcement and
assistance have always been grateful others nave
experienced the same generous conduct as weii as
myself; and, realizing as do how unsuostantial
are the rewards OF human ambitton-how soon
after we cease to mingle in the affairs OF living
men our very names are forgotten save by those
whose memories are qulckened by their love OF
gr titude, would rather leave behind me the
grateful recognition by the younger men of the
profession OF those acts of kindness which were
constantly present in the life Of Brother Swasey
than TO receive the applause which comes to OFF,
clal station or the honors which often reward
the efforts of those who earnestly strive to reach
earthly fame and fortune. Nor is 1t to be for
gotten tnat he lived and died an honest man. In
mis- bu siness he exhibited towards Others that
same exactness and honorable method which he
required for himself. Aud in recalling his
many years of professional and business activ-
of the bar will find no shadow to mar the purity
of his private life or detract from the pleasant
recollection OF his amiable and genial disposi-
ton.
Looking about us we are made painfully aware
tn our ranks are fast losing the men to whom
we nave been accustomed to look for prudence
and example. One by one the older men of the
professiOn-the Shepleys, ths Fessendens, Cliff
ford, Howard Fox, Lane, McCobb, Littiefeld,
and now Brother Swasey-men whom we have
been accustomed to veneraJe and admire. sink
into the grave and disappear from our sight.
And whether their light is quenched in mid
Heaven, or they peacefully touch the Western
horizon and are lost to mortal view, we may well
rejoice in the radiance which their examples
still lena. by which we may keep our feet In the
bic effort in that tends to advance ourselves
or our fellow-men.
Judge j. A. Waterman seconded the resolu-
lions in the following remarks:
JUDGE WATERWAYS REMARKS.
May it please your Honor:
rea1Ily second the resolutions which have
just been presented, and most sincerely concur
in the sentiments which they emDody; 4or do
less sincerely and heartily indorse the appropri-
ate tribute to the memory of our departed
brother Swasey, by which the reading of the
resolutions has been followed. Further eulogy
is not needed; yet trust that the short bio
graphical sketch Of the deceased, and the brief
character which l have been request
ed TO prepare, may not be consider
% out OF place, nor merely formal, inasmuch as
5iOnal intercourse with him EXTENDED over Pc
Rod of more than quarter Of century.
>. 4oratio J. swasey VS. 1 bern e Limerick, in
William SNasey and Mary Robinson Swasey.
His father was successful physician OF more
than ordinary intellectual vigor and acquire
ments and OF great force OF character, bordering
even upon sJernnsss.
dis mother person of rare feminine ex-
cellences, whose sweet and afTectionate cis-
position and gentle and useful lire enshrined her
memory in the hearts of all who knew her.
Those who were best acquainted wi our
brother could readily trace distinctive traits of
his character to each of his parents, from whom
ne seemed 0 have inherited many OF the better
qualities of both.
tls early lie, like that of so many men who
have risen 20 eminence in our profession. was
spens at home az work upon farm which his
father owned and cultlva. ed. He attended the
district school for many years, and finished his
preparatory studies at the Limerick Academy,
one OF class of we'll ,eputod and useful literary
institutions of that day, the lack of which is
sensibly Teit In the state at the present time
Dating these years he was s6adious, conscien-
tious anu upright That he was q than
ordinary dutiful SON is evident from the fact
that has fatner, q strict dlsclpnarian OF The old
school, never had occasion to chastlse him, al
though such punishment was considered in
snose days almost indispensable to the moral
health of every well-regulated family.
soon after attaining nis majorit, he sst about
III earnest the special preparation for the pro-
fession OF his choice, 20 which he had looked
forward tn eager desire.
He commenced his 'aw studies in the office of
Mr.. John Barnham, esquire Burnham," as he
was more commonly styled, then practicing
lawyer at Limerick
He renamed thera but short time and then
entered the OH o of the late Hon. Joseph How
ard, VINO, though not many years his senior, was
veil established IN business at Limerick, and al
ready looked upon as one of the most promising
lawyers of the county He remained in Mr.. How
ards office until ne mad thoroughly completed
the course OF stuay prescribed for admission to
the Bar.
He must have been diligent and faithful stu
dent and a somewhat rapid reader, fol he finish
ed his studies several weeks before the lapse of
the prescribed period of three years.
He was eager, however, to engage as soon as
possibl5 in ths active duties of his chosen pro-
fession. Full of energy. animation and courage,
ne saw nothing il the future to hinder deter
him. and he was imbued with the spirit, II ne did
not literally adopt the language of Blackstone,
in his Lawyers Farewell 60 his Muse"
.Welcome business, welcome strife,
Welcome the cares, the thorns of life,
The visage wan, the purblind sight,
Toe toll by day, the lamp at night
The tedious forms, the solemn prate,
The pert dispute the duh debaJe-
For thee, fair justice, welcome ALL"
AS soon, therefore, as he had finished his stud
les, he began to look about for a location. just
at that time there was an opening forxs lawyer
at. Standisn, caused by the removal OF William
Bovd Esq. from that town, where he had been
practicing law, to this city.
So desirabls aa opportunity for lnwyer was
this considered, that Tnree young attorneys, in
Guiding our brother Swasey, hurried TO Standish
t about the same time, each hoping to secure
sorS OF pre-emptiopary right to the place. He
was not quite early on the ground as the oth-
ers, sut the successful competitor for the
lffice which Mr.. Boyd had vacated.
lie took possession OF 1t on the 4th day of Sep
GsinDes, 1882, and continued to occupy it as his
office 20 TIE time OF his deaf b Win hardly
change in any part of it during the whole term
ot fifty years.
himself Tor examination for admission to the
Bar IN this county, aud on the Sd day of Octo-
ner, 1882 was admitted to practice ia the court
of common pleas.
Although thus admitted, as he hsd not actual !
~ speut In study ths three full years required, I
ne WAS obliged to wait several weeks until the
expiration Of the prescribed time, before ne
could be entitled to all the rights and privileges
oi an attorney In that court.
Ia a menlorandum book Eept by MIN at that
time che following entry appears: "lo52, NOV.
9th, put my sign up, having completed my time
81 study which ordes ed on my admission
any three years falling short i've weeks oy my
IL April, 1885, he was admitted an attorney ia
The Supreme Judicial Court; and in April, 1887,
he was Admitted counsellor in that court.
lie was ohus something more than seven years
n q tanning the honorable position of counsel
IN Tho court. But thus earned the pos tiou
aud ths honor were duly recognized aud highly
vaued by him. Approaching the need of thor
Dugh preparation thebfur, he sympathized fully
with the movement now SO well established for
feasserting the dignity ana the intelligence OF
this od and distinguished Bar, by the strict ap-
piicatlon or Inc present rules Tor admission
thereto.
1t il eg' dent that at the very outset he was
convinced of the Importance OF being well
grounded In che great principles of the law, and
having them at ready command. In a little
POCKET vdde mecun1 which he had prepared with
great care as early as 1882, among the Latin
IN 4xlms doubtless adopted by HIM as terse
pressions OF his own conceptions, and as likely
60 be helpful guides in the profession he was
about enter is the following: "FGciti0T est
loc0re in chdrtG guam nae7ate. SEQ scGeatiG S7s
cdpite UIlentior est guam IN mama"
That ne honestly acted upon the truth of the
latter clause in his own professional training
and in studies, none who knew him well ever had
reason to doubt.
Having become fairly established in the law,
he devoted himself with great earnestness ar d
industry to the practice OF his profession, his fl
deity TO which through fifty years of almost in
cessant labor, together with his marked ability,
brough him the weli-earned rewards, honorS aud
emoiuments which he sought.
He aspired to but few places of political honor.
Whatever attractions they may have held out he
did not psrmi5 them to seduce him from mis- pro-
fessonal duties and employments. lie had the
confidence OF his toWnsmen, and held several
town offices, as that of clerk, treasurer, member
so without injustice to the Legitimate claims of
his professional business; and through long
series of years was the chosen and faithful coun-
sol of the town in all matters requiring profess
siOnal services.
lie was states attorney for this county from
1876 to lS63-seven consecutive years. He dis
charged the duties of this Office with great abil-
ity, and with firmness and devotion to duty
which most favorably impressed all who were
then familiar with the business of the courts.
1t was during the latter part or his tenure Of
this office that the original Maine law was pass
ed The duty of tho first official prosecution I'M
der it in this county by Indictment or OF appeals
fell upon him. But however new startling or