Centre Democrat. [volume] (Bellefonte, Pa.) 1848-1989, 1883-11-15
Judge Orvis's Resignation.

the sensitive feeling of the Junior on
the subject of which it treats. This pre-
face, we trust, will relieve our junior as
well as his honorcd father of any en-.
barrassment, and allow us to speak with
freedom of one whom we have long
claimed as most esteemed personal
friend, when we say that the an.
nouncement of the resignation of the
Hon. John II. Oryi- rs President Judge
of this (49thl Judicial district, on Fri.
day of last week, was like thundrrbolt
in clear sky. Although there had
been rumors ailnat for some time that
the Judge contemplated such a step,
very fcw expected il so soon. Few die
and none resign was the language Of
the street, and the phrase that fit
congressman or legislator wa- freely
applied 10 q judge. The action of Judge
Orvis is matter of regret to the people
of this judicial district, and particularly
TO the people of his own county of Cen.
tire. During the nearly ten years he
has presided over our courts he has
been reversed two or three times
only, though many cases have been
taken up. The criminal calender
has been reduced to a mere skeleton
when compared with It's giant pro.
portions in the time preceding
his elevation to the bench. His name
had become terror to evil doors and a
strong bulwark, behind which the
friends of law and order could rally.
The bench and bar Of Centre has ever
been one Of the strongest in the state
and in all the bright galaxy Of legal
and jud d,cial mind, no star shines with
brighter luslrr as a Judge than the one
which has just set. The bench loses q
Nrstor, hut the bar can welcome back
an Achilles. There is nothing negative
IN the character of Judge Oryis, MS
positiven"ss asserts itself in every lnia.
ment Of his face, in every gesture. Ouly
a positive man can be judge. WlIh
one of the brightest inIellccts, pro
ioundly learned in the law, fearless in
the discharge OF his duties, he leaves
the bench with q judicial reputation
secoud to none. No man has been
more maliRned than Judge Oryi., yet he
has never once rnised his voice in hi,
own defence, or suffered his friends to
defend him. We once hearI him say
that he did not intend that Grim mails
should approve his administration Of
Justice Men, who year ago could
fud hundred reasons why he should
not be on the bench, can now give five
hundred reasons Why he should be
there. We do not appreciate jewel
until we lose it. The seli.made man il
always we'll made. He takes his time.
works slowly and rounds off all the
corners and angles. lie does not labor
merely for fine polish, but there Is a
frmness and an individuality stamped
upon the W .rk that shows the hand of
tire master. Judge Oryis is emphatically
a seli.made man and indebted to NO adj
yentitiOus circumstancps Tor his rise to
excellence in hi. profession. some
imagine that there is a political signi6
canoe in the Notwithstanding
hidden and mysterious, and are tortur
ing themselves to find out what it is
We are not authorized to speak for him.
We were not consulted before nor have
we been advised since as TO the reasons
II is not difficult, however, to arrive at
a correct solution. The judgeship, 30
far ~ its salary is concerned To lawyer
OF his ability, is a small thing--it is
absolutely nothing compared to what
he can make practicing law and attend.
ing to his private business. He had
reaped all the honor Of the position
long ago, and there was nothing TO in.
duce him To remain Indeed he could
not afford now TO be bound hand and
foot, when his own private business and
his profession offered better induce.
ments to obtain that competency which
we all desire. Ten years more of re
tirement on the bench would have left
Judge Orvis knocking gently at the
door ol old age. lie would then have
hesitated long about engaging in the
turmoil Of busy life. To-day he Is fresh.
vigorous and strong. The FIRE Of youth
is finely tempered by the wisdom, calm.
ness and justice acquired on the bench,
and while bis retirement may be a mat.
ter Of regret TO the people of the 49lh
judicial district, they cannot bui respect
the personal considerations involved
and the desire Of the Judge TO be free to
think and act on all questions of what.