Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1882-01-19

q ing part of the duty assigned me, on thi
occasion. and to this end | address my
self personally to his Honor, Judge 0key
: and to you, sir, l have to say, i an
r greatly pleased to obey the behest of the
members of the Belmont county Bar
, and in their names to present you tri
fling testimonial of their regard, and
trust that you will accept it from my
| hand, and with it, from them the earn
est hope, that, as the burden of years
bear more heavily upon you in Htis
memorial you may end comfort and sup
port, and that you will bear it with you,
a token of the continuing friendship.and
of the kindest wishes of those who pre-
sent it.
Judge Okey, who was most complete
ly surprised by the gathering of the bar,
and by the token of appreciation which
had been bestowed, was visibly affected
as he arose to respond to the address of
Judge Chambers, was greeted by ap
plause, and spoke as follows:
Judge Okey, upon receiving the cane
at the hands of Judge Chambers, was
greeted with applause and said: know
Judge Chambers and gentlemen, when
say to you that this is surprise to me-
you will believe me. | feel inadequate
to say what would wish to say on this
occasion. This is favor unmerited.
What have done with you and for you,
felt to be my duty, and as performed
that duty l received from members of
the bar in kind words and acts, the IA
vofs 1 merited. 1t is human to err; l
feel that 1 have erred sometimes, but
they were of the head, not of the heart.
l have discharged my duty to the best
of my ability and have brought to the
examination of cases before Inc all the
knowledge and skill L possessed, and
endeavored to decide them justly. [ am
gratifed to saythat this bar, celebrated
back from early time for its high stand
ing, have always treated me with the
utmost kindness. In parting from them,
feel that l am indebted to them-not
them to me. When away from here L
am frequently inquired of "Does the Bel
mont County Bar retain its old place at
the Bar ?" and 1 answer "Yes." We are
apt to look away and refer to the great
legal lights that have adorned our courts
In past years; but if we look around us
to-day, we will find men as learned and
profound in the law as those whose
names we delight to honor, who have
passed from among US. l am wholly un-
prepared to make a speech because did
hot expect to be called upon to do such
thing. had no expectation of receiv-
ing so handsome a gift. Gentlemen, l
shall ever remember your kindness and
the pleasant days l have spent among
you, and if live to be very, very old l
shall always keep this, as a reminder
that it came from my noble friends of
the Belmont County Bar.
At the close of his speech the distin-
guished Judge was taken by. the hand
warmly by all present, and congratula-
led NEST heartily. About 9 o'clock the
guests, led by Judge Okey, Judge-elect
Kelly, and ex-Judges Cowen and Cham
bers, marched to the banquet room, to
the music of the orchestra, whose rem
dering during the evening, was highly
appreciated.
In the banquet room all were seated
and entered upon the work of disposing
of the spread, which was a careful prep
aration of good things, handsomely
served by corps of polite attendants.
Judge. Chambers presided with much
grace over the banquet ceremonies, an
nouncing the first regular toast:
"Ohio the Home of Statesmen" which was
eloquently responded to by Hon. L. Danford.
belmont county; loved at home, and famous
abroad its fair women and brave men," re-
sponded to by J. B. Smith, Esq.
Mr.. Smiths address was rich in historic
facts.
''The Health of the whole people" was hap
PLY responded to DR.. John Cook of Bridgeport.
"An Independent Judiciary the bulwark Of
freedom
Judge D. D. T. Cowen responded ably, clos
ing by remarking, ''that here in Belmont coun-
ty we have been fortunate in having an inde-
pendent Judiciary.
"The Brotherhood of the legal profession"
was aptly responded to by R. NJ. Eaton. Esq,
who characterized it as the brotherhood that
has advanced society and carried the wand of
civilization into every quarter of the globe.
Mr.. j. C. Gray, of Martins Ferry, was in
troduced as the young statesman of Belmont,
responded to the sentiment, 1.-THE lawyer as
citizen and statesman"
''The bar of Belmont county, as it was and
Is it is" was responded to by Capt. Peer Tall
man, in an address which abounded in wit and {
local hits
"Our clients, our hope in the hour of trial."
n. K. KennOn, Esq, responded most elegantly.
The next sentiment was, "Our guest, the {
but going Judge"
ST. CLAIR KELLY being called upon by
the chairman, said:
+ Others may use more appropriated
words, but none can speak more cordial
y in honor of our guest of the evening.
Judge Okey has been so long with us i
hat we consider him one of our oWnl
member of the Bar of Bel
mont county, and a citizen of st. Clairs-
Vile. The relations that have existed
between him and US have been so pleas {
ant that we see the approach of their I
close, in the position he has held, with l.
great regret. This meeting. so unusual
and large in numbers, is in itself an ex-
preston of our high estimate of the fl
deity and ability with which he has dis
charged the duties of his Office. There +
are several remarkable features of his e
that ought to be men,
toned. During the whole five years he
has been with us, l do not remember 2
that one day has been lost by reason of :
his absence or indisposition to attend to >
business. This is record that few :
Judges have made. Attorneys, parties
and witnesses have been absent, and
have delayed, but the Judge has always I
been ready to try the cases. Z
Another remarkable feature has been {
his invariable courtesy, and the unfail- |
ing calmness and serenity of lis temper q
under all circumstances. In the midst .
of the heated discussions that sometimesl
md NM ur,id hl,r anira from diaor.H aon