The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1886-06-24

Wheeler, and Moore we're notable
instances of this, and it may
be that both Justices Bonner
and West gong from heavy practice at
the bar to seats on the bench, found its
labors to be beyond their powers of en-
durance.
Another matter worthy of notice is that
few members of this court have had time
or opportunity to improve their pecunl-
airy condition, and when worn out in Its
service, are not provided for, as they are
under some other governments.
From these facts we are forcibly ad-
monished land my advanced age and con
dition in life are not such as to prevent
me from saying it from any imputable
motive of self-interest) that measures
should be speedily adopted to diminish
the labors of the members of this court
and to increase their compensation while
they may be able to give their services to
its duties"
Chief Justice A. H. Willie responded as
follows:
"The resolutions just read express well
the manner in which our deceased brother
was appreciated by his associates of the
bar; the court of which he was once
worthy member fully endorses all that
these resolutions contain.
Having known him as we'll as did, and
having enjoyed his friendship for more
than thirty years, 1 can bear testimony
that they speak the truth in every respect,
and do him no more than justice.
: lJudge West came to our state young
but thoroughly trained lawyer. He en-
tered the bar here prepared to cope with
its ablest and most experienced members,
and the political arena the peer OF the
leading politicians of the day. He soon
ranked amongst the foremost of the pro-
fession and secured to himself practice
of great extent and profit, and retained it
until voluntarily given up for position
on the supreme bench. He was ever ac-
tive in the political contests of the times,
not so much for his own benefit as that of
his friends, to whom he always showed an
unselfsh devotion. He, however, served
a term in the legislature at an age when
most men are merely preparing to enter
upon the battle of life. There are many
living now who can remember how man
fully he bore himself in that legislature
and measured weapons in debate upon
questions of vital importance to our state
with the foremost men of that body.
will not recount the many positions OF
| honor he filled with much ability and sat
isfaction to the country; most of them are
| stated i'll the resolutions. 1t is as law
yer that ne was pre- emlnently distinguish,
ed, and has impressed himself upon the
memory of his contemporaries. In the
nisl prius, or appellate courts it may be
well said he had few equals. In his readi
ness upon points of evidence, in his ex'
animation of witnesses, in his presenta'
ton of facts to jury and law to the
court, he could not be excelled. The
records of the supreme court and the
memory of it's judges can well attest the
logical forge of his arguments and the
perspicuous language in which they were
presented.
His practice was extensive and lucra
tive. His name appears in our report:
perhaps oftener than any of the past Oh
present members of the bar. He was en-
ployed in appeals taken from every pOr
ton of the state, and frequently called
upon to attend to important cases in the
district and federal courts at points fan
distant from his home, as well as in the
supreme court of the United States. His
reputation had gone abroad throughout
the state, and his services were often re-
quired when high order of intellect anG
thorough knowledge of law were demanded
by parties to an important cause.
In the midst of an extensive practice ht
found time to devote to a cultivation OF
his literary tastes, and the pleasures anG
duties of social life. The writers of an
cient and modern times were his familiar
companions. His hospitality was un.
bounded, and his brilliant and genial con
versation we're ever the delight of his
| friends and associates. though his prac.
tice must have brought him large returns
! he was not successful in accommodating
wealth. He came to Texas with no CAPT
} tai but his brains and his heart, his energy
and his education, and he quit it for an
other existence, leaving behind but little
more than the name and fame which these
had earned for him. His hand was ever
open to charity, and he gave without
stint where love, friendship, or want made
demands upon his generosity. Such
man could lay up no other treasure bu
gratitude and the consciousness of having
loved his fellow-man and proved it by
deeds rather than by words.
He brought to the supreme bench ever!
qualification necessary for an able ant
upright Judge, but the arduous duties O
his position, to the performance of which
he devoted himself with the greatest in
dustry, soon wrecked his health and has
tened him to his tomb. He fell sacrifice
to duty, which too often demands the i'm
notation of victim, and too seldom re
turns any recOmpense for the life laiC
down upon its altar.
The resolutions with the remarks accom-
panying them will be entered upon the
minutes of the court with the proceeding
of the day, and as a further token of res
pect to our deceased brother the court vii
now adjourn"
| CIVIT, SERVICE