Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1886-05-20
JUDoB wHfrRnBY,s MFMonr.
Action Taken in ibe United state.
District COurt Frfdav

committee appointed by the meeting
members of the bar Of this county held
, the county court house last month
present the resolutions upon the death
Judge William G.. Whiteley adopted |
that meeting to the United States cour
appeared and performed that duty. Nj
Harrington arose and said
At meeting of the bar OF New Gust
county, held on Saturday April oath last
take action on the death of the Ho
William G.. Whiteley, associate judge of tt
superior court OF this State, Mr.. Sharpe
and myself were appointed committee
present to this court the resolutions passC
at that meeting.
Before moving the adoption of these res,
lutions, however, may be- permitted to si
a word in expression OF my sincere respe'
| for the character of Judge Whiteley and I
pay slight tribute to his memory.
Although much younger man In yeni
and having come TO the practice of the la
| long after Judge Whiteley had attained di,
tinetion at the bar and prominence through
| out the State the announcement of his deat
came to me as personal sorrow. Ash wa
my privilege during the past few years {
| his life to have had u friendly association
with him, extending at times TO companion
ship and the recollection of his gsni
nature and his kindly bearing made me ie,
in his death that | had truly lost a friend.
And this feeling / think is shared ty nj
Of the younger members OF the ldr, I, 4
there was one feature of Judge WhlitlpS
life that can be remembered gratefully I
was his generous and constant readiness I,
advise and assist any member OF the bar OF
any question of practice. lie was the mos
approdchable man at the bar. From his lonl
general practice and his wide experience a,
prothonotary he became especially lifted K
decide any questions arising under the
practice In our courts and he was constantly
consulted by the bar and not infrequently
by the bench and came TO be regarded by
all as the authority on this subject. But the
particular feature to which l refer IN this
was the freedom and pleasure with which
Judge Whiteley would give the advice
sought of him and with what satisfaction
one left him, indeed feeling that instead OF
receiving favOry you had actually bestowed
one upon him In comforting with him. The
Information was given from weli-stored
mind and with IL heartiness and unselflsh-
ness that can but ever be appreciated by US,
who remain.
OF Judge Whiteley's public career need
not here speak This has been referred TO
at length on another occasion and your
honor Is well acquainted with his continued
successes and with the fidelity, ability and
probity of character uniformly shown by
him in the many positions OF trust and
prominence to which he was called. No
extended memorial is necessary to recall to
this people his public services or TO con-
vince them that In his death society has
been deprived OF one who was at the same
time an ornament and support. A re-
OF his labors, professional and
public, would be a synopsis OF the practice
Of our courts and the political history Of
our state. In the several positions OF i'm
portance and honoT-as prothonotary,
of Congress, mayor and judge, the.
qualifications and the skill which he brought
to the performance OF his varied duties
have left such record that his name has
become closely linked to every interest Of
our State.
Those among whom he was born, with
whom he dwelt, and for whom he wrought
are not insensible of his merits, nor will
they be forgetful of his labors. Other men
may have obtained u wider reputation and
achieved more brilliant success, but there
are few to whom 1t has been given 10 con-
Ter more substantial benefits upon u state
and community. 1t can be Justly said Of
Judge Whiteley that he was thoroughly u
Delawarean. His elevation TO the bench,
believe, met fully his ambition, but to our
his health did not permit him 10
realize that full measure of happiness which
.he position would haYe brought to him, or
the advantages to the bar which his legal
aeumen and personal digpity would have
given. ~
In the dispensation Of M all-wise power
his was not TO be; the summons came and
he has passed into his reward, but leaving
behind him qualities of a judge, "a citizen
and friend which should be emulated by
those of us left to follow out our life's work.
Truly can 1t be said
10 know, to esteem, to love-and then to part,
boa fnla ta anu
In conclusion the speaker read the reso-
utions and moved that they be entered
upon the record of this court.
Mr.. Sharpley arose to second Mr.. Har-
rington's motion and said;
feel that 1t is n work of supererogation
or me to speak upon this subject TO and for
hose who are so much better acquainted
with Judge Whiteley and his life and work
han |. Yet would be derelict If | did not
contribute my part to the general esteem In
which his memory is held. My earliest
recollection of Judge Whiteley is not
derived from intercourse with him. 1t
seems to me kind of myth. | can scarcely
.hink of a period in my life in which his
lame was not familiar as II household
word in the homes OF upper Delaware.
From my youth, associated us l was
with the same political party, ! learned
% esteem his word and opinion as u source
)f power and wisdom. 1t was common
saying there, "What does Whiteley say ?"
md "Where does Whiteley stand2' He had
hat fearlessness which does not temporlze
md that flrmness which,is not captious. He
mad not the disposition of those who are
not satisfied except when crushing those
who are in opposition. l know OF no man
who held the good opinion Of his friends
and his opponents like Judge Wuiteley. !
have often studied why it was that Judge
was so inviting. II one were
for recognition, for success, for
position, it seemed ever to be his part to
stretch forth his ready hand TO aid,
assist and COUNSEL l thought II
more of this spirit was manifested by those
who are in possession of high power, how
much happier and better we would be! BY
bis death almost the last link which con.
nected us with the past has been sundered
Judge Whiteley was thoroughly Della
can not but regret that One who
was so dear to us should now repose in the
soil Of Il sister state, and ! think It Is moet
that n tablet should be erected 10 his
in the courts Of which he was n
member and in which he practiced. |
second these resolutions.
Judge Wales said that he had already
made an expression upon the subject now
and it was not necessary for
him to repeat il here. Continuing be
said;
eoiEcide with the gentlemen who have
spoken in the presentation of these resohl-
tions. l was acquainted with AIR Whneley
his life, from his entrance into
his profession until his connection with il
forever closed. | know OF no. man who
was so universally popular. He was q
good lawyer, probably more familiar than
any other member of the bar with the horns
of practice when he was in active proseeu-
tion OF his profession. He was fortunate in
his preceptor, who was the late Hon. James
A. Bayard. l never knew Il man who was
more approachable or more suaye, and that
too without altering his mauneE; II seemed
never to change aud produced the same
effect on all, This was illustrated
by his experience with the late Chief Justice
Booth and Chancellor Johns. The former
was soeiable, companionable, genial. Judge
Johns was more austere and reserved.
have seen on more than one occasion
that Judge Whiteley WAS at home with both
one nor did he ever repel any one. He had
that rare quality which disarms criticism,
and that indescribable charm Of manner
which seems to dispel all coldness and re-
serve. Ii is ordered that these resolutions
be entered upon the records OF the court.
After the action thus taken the court,
out of respect to the memory of the
deceased, adjourned.
Adas kOdesh Troubles.
The trustees OF the Adds Kodesh syna-