Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-05-16
UTAH's NEW JuBGE.
Brisf sketch of His Life and T.abors.


vile, Wayne County, n. Y, June TO-
1851, his parents being among the best
of the agricultural class In that secuon'
and of the Presbyterian faith. tie at
tended the district school, receiving
common school education, and afterward
took a scientific and classical course at
the Sodus Academy and Marion Cole
giate Institute, acquitting himself credit
ably. and receiving special commenda--
ton from the faculty. Such good use had
he made of his advantages, that in 1871, |
though but 20 wears old, he graduated
with distinction from the law department
of the University of Michigan, an lnstl-
tuition that has sent out many OF the most
brilliant and successful lawyers OF the
nation.
Returning to his home in Wayne
County, his abilities and popularity led |
to his nomination by the Democracy OF |
the Western district of Wayne County
for the Assembly.
He made stirring canvass, but was
defeated by Hon. Lucien 7. Yoemans OF
Walworth, n. Y, the Republican candl-
date. and a brother-in-law of President |
Cleveland.
In 1873, Mr.. Powers moved to Kala- |
mazoo, Mich, and en- route was admit
ted to practice in the Supreme Court OF
the State at Detroit, April 18th, an
event which marked him as possessed OF
an unusual legal mind and critical prepar-
alton, he being at this time but y years
old. On arriving at Kalamazoo he en-
tered the law office of Messrs. May d
Buck, as a clerk, and in August OF that
year was made partner, the firm name
being May, Buck & Powers.
The leading member of this firm was
Hon. Charles S. May, eX-Lieutenant-
Governor, and one of the foremost ora
tors and LAWYERS of the West. Soon after
the firms formation, Mr.. Buck was
elected Judge OF Probate, which position
he held eight years, declining a renoml-
nation. Mr.. Powers had the entire con-
fidence of his partners, and was often left
to arrange the most important cases,
which owed their success to his careful
and able management. In 1875 the firm
dissolved, on the removal Of Hon. Chas.
S. May to Detroit.
Mr.. Powers continued in the old Office,
soon after forming co-partnership with
William II. Daniels, under the firm name
of Powers & Daniels. This firm, al
WAYS prominent and successful, continued
until 1875, when Mr. Daniels moved West
and it was dissolved Mr. Powers there
after continued practicing law along until
1883, when he formed a co-partnership
with Samuel w. 0xenford, which firm is
still in existence and has a large and
lucrative practice.
In 1878 Mr.. Powers was put in nomina-
ton by his party for prosecuting attorney,
and some idea of his popularity may be
gained from the fact that he was only de-
feated by a small majority in strong Re
publican county, running 900 votes ahead
of the balance of the Democratic ticket
In the following year he was appointed
village attorney of Kalamazoo, position
he filled with great credit to himself and
acceptance to the people of all parties.
Mr.. Powers had for long time been
regarded as one of the most promising
young men in Michigan. At all political
of his party he was the favor
lite speaker, his services being in great
demand, and wherever he went he was
sure to have large and enthusiastic audi
ences.
On account OF his popularity, his con-
summate skill as an organizer and de-
batter. he was nominated for Congress by
the Democrats of the Fourth Congress
sional district in 1880 as their candidate
against Hon. J. Burrows, Republican,
and everywhere recognized as one of the
nations foremost orators. He had also
another formidable opponent in Hon.
George L. Yaple, Greenback candidate,
prominent member of the Forty-seventh
Congress. Notwithstanding this two-fold
opposition the campaign was a brilliant
one for Mr.. Powers, and he received the
largest vote ever cast in the district for
straight-out Democrat.
The political career of Mr.. Powers has
been one of continued advancement and
success, as far as his party was able to
make it so, and he has always been
favorite champion and representative. He
is born leader as well as a favorite of
the people. He has been a prominent
figure in all the important councils of his
party, and there has not been Demo
cratic State convention since 1874 in
which he has not been justly conspicu-
Gus and highly honored delegate, repre-
senting constituency the equal in point
of culture of any in the Union. He has
taken part in every campaign, attended a
large number of Union conventions and
made over 200 speeches for the Demo-
cratic party.
The Democracy of Michigan owes Mr..
Powers much for it's present supremacy
in the State, for he was among the fore
most whose efforts brought about union
of the opposition and the consequent de-
feat Of the Republican party which had
SO long held sway by overwhelming ma
jorities.
In the memorable contest of 1884, Mr.. !
Powers took an active and influential |
part. He was delegate-at-large to the |
Democratic National Convention, repre- |
sentlng Michigan as a member of the |
committee on Permanent Organization. |
His powerful speech against the unit rule |
gave him commanding position as one
OF the readiest debaters and ablest men |
IN that body OF distinguished men. Al.
though personal friend of Hon. Thomas |
A. Hendricks, his first vote was for Mr.. |
Cleveland and his second for his friend |
In all the deliberations of that great con- |
clave Mr.. Powers reflected credit on the /
great State, whose representative he was.
bearing an honorable and manly part |
throughout
In October of 1884 Judge Powers was
admitted to practice in the Supreme Court
of the United States at Washington. In |
April, 1885, he was elected City Attorney
of Kalamazoo and soon after he was APP |
pointed by President Cleveland to the /
important position of Associate Justice of |
the Supreme Court of Utah. 1t was the
first judicial nomination made by Presi-
dent Cleveland. The widespread salts
faction and acclaim with which this NOM
has been received by all parties,
at home and abroad, is proof OF the
popularity and regard in which he is held,