Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1883-12-06

Tuesday foreo"on At 1890 O'Clock, in th
Supreme Court, the Kennebec Bar paved
most fitting and graceful tribute to the lat
Hon. Joseph Baker. Nearly the entire ba
we're in attendance on the occasion and tb
exercises we're Of . very interesting charac
ter.
Hon. f. p. Webb rose and said;
May II please Your Honor Only few day,
since, the shades of LIES evening came .ud
denly upon him, who by age, BY service AM
reputation, had long been our leader; and b,
passed suddenly from our midst. NV brethreI
have assigned to me the honorable duty o
presenting to the court, testimonial of thei
respect for the deceased, and their grief a
his loss. and asking that il be spread upor
the records.
Resolved. That we the members OF this bar, hav,
learned Of the death Of the Hon. Joseph Baker with
feelings II deep borrow. and esteem it . sacret
duty, to give to his memory an expression of ou
among the Oldest and foremost m-mb. rs Of the bar
that he died in the maturity of his mental poz ers
that he was faithful lawyer. vgant 80 protect the
interests Of his CLIENTS, enjoying ior MANY years tbs
highest respect and confidence Of his associates and
the public. which became stronger ard greater q,
life grew longer.
Resolved. that We shall ever cherish the memory
Of our deceased brsher for his love Ct his chosen
profession for his intimate knowledge Of the science
OI tne law, 1Of DIS devotion 10 practice
his sound and reliable judgment and his Kindness
his associates.
Resolved. That the foregoing resolutions be pre-
scented to the superior Court, now in session.
While memorial services might more fit
tingly occur, as they doubtless will, in the
Supreme Judicial Court, vet that court does
not convene until next March: while this
court sits on day so close to the day Of his
death, and while we are depressed BY the sud-
deDess of the event, and while the solemn
words of the burial service still linger in our
ears, one sentiment seems to pervade US all,
that we should pause in the transactions of
the ordinary business of the court, and pay
our tribute OF respect to the memory Of our
esteemed and venerated friend and associate
While performing the duty assigned me by
my associates, wish to speak OF our deceas-
ed brother for myself, as l saw and knew him
personally and professionally for nearly
quarter of a century. Passing over the
history of his early life. his relations as an
affet tionate and devoted husband and father,
his constant and consistent come :tion with
the church, his sterling qualities as citizen.
which adorned his private life.I will speak of
him as a friend and lawyer. Mr.. Baker died
at his reside nee in this city, on the 18th ult.,
the day Of annual thanksgiving, at the age of
II wears, in the full tide of professional labor
and success, and with such physical powers
that he seemed in the prime of life. His in
tellectual qualities seemed to be indicated by
his robust frame sound and vigorous through
out. As a lawyer he was learned in his pro-
fession. His ambition centered wholly in
that; to that end he bent all his mental and
physical powers. His industry was unceas-
ing. He was cautious and deliberate in all
his professional business, systematic and
exact in his arrangements, and orderly in his
preparation and method of trials. Though
his perceptions were quick, and his logical
powers at once comprehensive and ready.
he never entered into the trial of
causes without being thoroughly equipped,
with well marshslled evidence, and clearly
defined law. He planted we'll the bottom
sills of his case. He had from the outset a
distinct and firm theory of his cause. and
when in the production of evidence. and as
an advocate, he came to defend it, every step
was taken with precision for a fixed purpose
and with telling effect. He first persuaded
himself, and then persuaded the Court and
jury. From the inception of his cases to
their final determination, through all the
stages of consultation, preparation, and trial,
his labors were thorough and constant. He
never left weak spot in his armor.
As an advocate he was earnest, convincing,
and often eloquent He thought earnestly
and talked persuasively. His reading was
thoughtful and thorough. his analysis keen,
his memory retentive, and he brought to his
labors matured and well trained mind,
quickened by keen observation. of human
nature, in its manifold phases. His ar
guments to courts and juries were ad-
dressed to their judgment and reason.
He always spoke in plain, forcible language,
generally with slow delivery, impressive
manner. with dignifed and effective action.
They were remarkable as comprehensive and
powrrful. Hr had great aptness of language,
and delighted in simple and sturdy phrases.
although h. had finely feathered arrows of
IRONY, which. on just occasions, he could
use. He claimed tor each fact, a fixed and
special purpose in the line of his argument,
and he hat uncommon tact and ability, IN
dealing with usual issues of mingled fact and
law. His individuality was strong and i'm
pressive. Sometimes he would press his at
tacks with terrific weight and vigor, and at
other times he would electrify his hearers with
passages of exceeding beauty and eloquence.
In the trial of causes he was very quick to
observe the mental reserv ations of a reluctant
witness, and to detect the Inconsistencies OF
\ swift witness both classes of which he OBJ
borred As an examiner. he never permitted
himself to put . question to his witness,
which he did not deem admissible and he was
easily aroused if the opposing counsel at
tempted the practice. In his nature ne was
not of those called magnetic; on the con-
trary, he was possessed of certain Sc
robustness of disposition, and of department,
not melancholy or moodiness, but those eie-
ments, which in business matters led him to
discard levity, and content himself seriously
and earnestly. Possibly these elements OF
character subjected him to the suspicion that
he lacked sociability, but not with those VINO
knew him. Thus have l described my
friend, the eminent lawyer, as l saw him, mot
in studied fulsone tuloRy, but in truthful
likeness and similtude, and without aduia-
ton.
Hon. James w. Bradbury said:
NAV il please Your Honor. rise to second
the resolutions that have been offered, and to
express NV sympathy in the sentiments they
contain. They are a fitting tribute to the
memory of tie deceased. The sudden death
of MIR. Baker, and the loss to the bar OF so
promipent member, arrests the attention OF
the court and the bar. 1t cannot be appro-
pristely passed BY in silence.
Nv acquaintance with Mr.. Baker covers
per,od of more than 40 years. L first knew
him in 1887 when he was engaged IN the
business of instruction in the High school IN
this citv. A. an assistant with MIR. Allen late