The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-04-02
THE INDIANAPOLIS JOURNAL, MONDAY April 2, 1888.

property and independence. he carly won and
maintalned through life the confidence of the
puDllc as an upright man and faithful and hon
orable lawyer.
or Delaware and Grant delegate to the con-
Ventlon called to revise the State constitution, and
afterward, on the first day OF Its session, took his
seat as such. Though, perhaps, the only man
In the body who could speak very well, that did
not attempt to speak at all, he took high rank at
once as one OF its most useful and able members.
He devoted himself especially to law form,
and the amelioration of the criminal code. He
LAID here the foundation for the civil and crimI-
mai codes, which he helped to frame two years
later, and under which the proceedings of our
courts nave been ever since conducted. 1t was
he, also, that originated the provision of the con-
stltutlon Tor tribunals of Cancellation, In which
the Cancellation of legal controversies should be
made part of the administration OF the law of
the land The civil code provided for courts of
Cancellation in cases of libel and SANDER, and,
although they have been since abolished their
effect was to suppress pretty much that class of
cases, ana they have not yet recovered their
original standing and responsibility Though
never member of any church, he was q sincere
believer i'll God and it was upon his motion that
the words Grateful to Almighty God for the
Tree exercise of the right to choose our own form
OF government" were placed in the preamble of
the constitution. His hand did much to place
restraints upon legislation, and make it subject
TO law. He hated fiction and technicalities, and
did all he could to rid the organic law of all for
eign terms and expressions, and it was not his
1aulG that IL was not completely done. He was
In favor of short official TERMS believing in the
hands He was the friend of criminal code
that did not allow accused person to testify
against himself He did all he could to place
such restrictions on corporations as would have
protected the people from all possible losses re-
Sulting from their failure; and had he had
his way they wOnld have been completely pro-
tected. Tho rights OF widows in their husbands
estates were also the objects of his solicitude.
He Is the author of that provision which prohib-
lts judicial officers from being elected to other
than judicial offices during the terms for which
tney are elected,a salutary restriction, that
protects the sacred functions of the judge from
the soil incident to political controversies. He
looked forward to great and benefcent changes
IN the penal code, and wrote in the constitution
the provision that "the penal code of this State
shall be founded the principles of reforma-
ton. and not OF vindictive Justice" This will
be his glory in the future. But the sacred
ness of the marriage relation was equally
the object of his solicitude, and he is
found insisting upon constitutional
guaranty of its perpetual sacredness. He
touched only great and important subjects, and
those he touched in most worthy and becom-
ing manner. Mr.. March had so identified him
SELF with law reform that the first Legislature
under the new constitution chose him one of
the commissioners to write our new code, and
he performed his full share OF labor in that great
office. The work, though not perfect, was never
theless well done, and remains still in substance
our law of procedure. Nor is it likely ever,to
undergo any great radical change. And this is
glory enough for its authors
He was, at the close of his labors the
mon Pleas Court Of his district and
acceptably discharged the sacred functions of
the juoge four years. At the close of his term
he was chosen senator. Parties had changed.
He was no longer a Democrat for Democracy
had ceased to be what 1t was in his youth, and
he was always able to look through names to
things, and accept them ut their value. He
Kept in the Senate during the four stormy years
that went before the war, and when that terrible
shock to our Institutions came his people would
not dispense with his services. He was in every
sense n pillar of state, and in war AS in peace
stood bravely up for his country, and for what
ever tended to make the fuflment of the
predictions OF the past and hopes Of the future.
His record throughout the eight years of his
senatorial service Is pure as it is patriotic.
There is no stain upon it. From its close until
1879 lie followed his profession. From 1867 to
1870 he resided in this city, where he estab-
llshed good record as "a lawyer and made many
friends, who will long cherish his memory and
regret his early death. Returning to Muncie, he
resumed his former relations to the people, and
they hOnOred him again, in 1879. by electing
him to the House of Representatives of the
General Assembly. He served them well and in
his last public service. He returned to the
friends who loved him well, and hon
ored him 90 much, loving them we'll and
honoring them much by living always
to deserve their esteem and love. His
frugal, simple, manly, honorable life will not
coon be forgotten by them nor lose it's force in
shaping their own. His race Is run, his course
is flushed, and his name and deeds will descend
to the coming generations with the sondlty of
the granite of his native hills and the purity of
the stainless starlight that frightened the nights
of his native heavens.
Walter March was wise, broad, sound man,
easily CAPABLE of profound speculation upon all
great subjects, a good lawyer, safe reformer
and legislator an upright man, and steadfast,
true and generous friend. Our heart is full of
all good and pleasant memories of the man. and
sadder than any words can tell, that we have
lost him TO this life forever. But hope looks be-
yond the abyss of death anu finds him again
seated and crowned among the immOrtals, and
friendship which eternity cannot safe. Until
then, hail and farewell! G.