Salt Lake evening Democrat. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1885-1887, 1885-05-06
JUDGE 0. W. POWERS.
Interviewed by a EepOrter-Some
Information in Regard to the
Mormon JudgeShip.

Judge Powers returned from Lansing
! Friday afternoon, and was immediately
overwhelmed with congratulations by hiS
friends. whose name are legion. He was
cornered on the street last night by a
gazetteer. who had been logging his foot
steps all day in futile attempt to get an
interview with the new Mormon judge.
His Honor submitted with as good grace
as he could assume when he found there
was no escape, and the screws were APP
piled with the following result.
"Now, Judge, the great question which
! is gnawing at the vitals of this public is
that of your appointment to the Supreme
bench OF Utah when you assume your
new duties, and in fact, all about it
Mr.. Powers shifted his gold-headed
cane to his left hand and assumed look
of becoming judicial solemnity and re-
piled: As to my appointment, | received
notice of it by telegram at Lansing Tues
day night, from Mr. Don NJ. Dickinson,
of Detroit, and | cannot express to you
my surprise While l, of course, knew
that my name had been recommended
for the position, / really had no idea that
the honor would fall to me. | received
my commission to-day, signed by Presi-
dent Cleveland and Secretary OF State
Bavard"
Il succeed Judge P. H. Emerson, who
resigned.
"The Supreme Court of Utah consists of
a Supreme Judge and two associates.
Each associate Judge is 'relegated' to a
judicial district, over which he presldes,
and in which the law requires him to re-
side. He presides over district court
which is very similar to our circuit court.
There are four terms of the District
Courts held each year. The Supreme
Court holds two sessions each year, in
January and June, at Salt Lake City, to
which cases from the District Courts may
be appealed"
"When will you assume the ermine,
Mr.. Powers?"
Il can hardly say. | received tele-
gram from Judge Emerson, whom | sue
coed, tonight, congratulating me on my
appointment, and asking if can be in
Utah on the first Monday in May. | have
wired Acknowledgement Garland to know
how soon | am expected to take posses
sion of my office, and requesting that |
may be allowed until the middle of May
to close my business here, but do not
know if my request will be granted, and
it may be necessary for me to leave next
week, as it is five days journey to Salt
Lake City"
"Shall you have the appointment of
any clerk?''
Gone, only, and have already received
telegram from Ogden, Utah, recon-
mending me to appoint Capt. Cross, of
that city to the position. Capt Cross
is an old soldier, thoroughly competent
man, and tried and true Democrat
withal, but of course | cannot yet deter
mine whom | shall choose
" l presume, sir, that your qualification
at this evidence of appreciation by our
President will not be altogether unmixed
with regret at the thought of leaving
Kalamazoo"'
3" And you are right. 1t is twelve years
tomorrow since | was admitted to the
bar of the Supreme Court, and twelve
years the 30th of this month since | came
to Kalamazoo and began work with
Messrs. May & Buck for nv board.
During these years have formed many
and made, believe, many
warm friends, and although | fully ap-
preciate this unexpected honor, | shall
leave Kalamazoo with greater regret than
can well express
Where will you probably reside ?''
That is matter concerning which l
am not as well posted as | wish. | am in
formed that am assigned to the First
District, and that my place of residence
will be at Ogden. Whether this is cor
rect or not am unable to say Ogden is
situated north of Salt Lake City. a short
distance, and is thriving town of 5000
Here another delegation of Mr.. Powers
friends, wearing white hats, came along
and captured the ''jedge," and the inter
view adjourned SINE dje.-Kalamazoo Ga
eette, Mag LIST.