The Vermont watchman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1883-1911, 1888-04-18
The Late Judge RedfleId.

aHN D"'N V""SC 'sNN'N'Ns
At a session of Washington county court
held Friday evening to receive the resolu-
tions of the Washington county bar (of
whom nearly all the members were pres
enD relating to the death of Judge Redheld,
Homer w. Heaton conducted the exercises
and presented the resolutions, which were
read by the clerk and are az follows
Whereas, We the members of Washington county
death of the Hon Timothy p. Redfeld with whom
member of the bar and in the active and successful
practice of his chosen profession, and were later
was the presiding Judge of the county court;
Resoired That we shall ever cherish the memory
of Judge Redheld as pleasant, genial and com
his association and intercourse with his brethren of
the legal profession and desrous of maintaining and
Resoired That we cheerfully bear testimony to the
Rsh aad st ands
fearless manner in which he discharged his oniciai
duties as TSSge FSs we extend ur svmr,tb and
doepce to the family of the deceased and respect
fully request the honorable court to order the fore
records of the court that the clerk of the court
be directed to forward an attesed copy thereof to
the family.
In introducing these resolutions, Mr.
Heaton said that he had known Judge Red
field for many years. He spoke of his late
ill-health and stated that when he returned
from his European trip he seemed to be
better; that when he went to Chicago, last
fall, though he appeared to be on the gain,
he thought he would never return In all
the relations which he sustained to the men,
bers of the bar and public he maintained
high standing for public and social purity.
He was elected an associate justice of the
supreme court solely on his merits and
deserts. Though he differed in politics from
| the majority of the people and Legislature of
his native state, he was always ready to
faithfully discharge his duty.
Edwin f. Palmer read a biographical
sketch of Judge Redfeld, which was list
ened to with the closest attention. He men
! toned the privations of his early life He
spoke of the Hon. Isaac f. Redfeld, brother
of the deceased, being on the bench twenty
! five years from 1885 to 1860, whose written
opinions may he found in the Vermont Re-
| ports from volumes eight to thirty-three in
! elusive. Timothy p. Redfield was on the
bench from 1870 to 1884. His opinions are
to be found in the Vermont Reports, vol
umes forty-three to ffty-seven inclusive.
! Both brothers were associate justices of the
supreme court of Vermont-the one sue
ceeding the other, with short interval be-
tween-together thirty-nine years, case
almost without parallel.
Charles II. Heath said "Ths is one of
| the occasions of sweet, melancholy SOlem-
nifty which the vicissitudes of court al
low to us for brief hour from the strife
and struggle OF contending litigants, brac-
ing themselves like athletes in the arena
for mastery, and instead to contemplate the
name and fame of the departed great" He
spoke Of the scholarly attainments of the
Redfield family. In closing, he said His
| fall is not like the fall of a tall pine fit for
the mast of some great admiral but rather
like the end of a line of battle-ship, which,
| having sailed every sea and met many
one the fair equal in battle, at the end of
its cruising is safely moored and anchored
in that safe haven of rest in which the good
are to be or shall be found"
j. n johnson spoke of the ease with
which Judge Redfeld mastered the princi-
pies of law. AS a lawyer he was near to
perfection. He was called to the bench be-
cause no other could fill his place. Here
Mr. Heaton said he would be pleased to
hear from the younger members of the bar. !
j. p. I4amson spoke of the encourage
ment Judge Redfeld gave him in his early
practice.
George W. Wing said that from the time
he was a student in his fathers office he
had known Judge Redfeld and had always
been attracted to him by his kindness. AS
advocate, attorney, judge, he always had the
right word to express his ideas.
Frank Plumey spoke of the portrait en-
shrined on the walls of the courtroom pre-
sented by the members of Washington
county bar. He referred to the circum-
stance as a tribute very rarely given.
Charles w. Porter said that Judge Red
field was considered the most valuable
member on the bench Frequently he
would elucidate and reconcile diverse opin-
ions and make the court unanimous, where
otherwise there would have been dissenting
opinions.
Edward w. Bisbee said that he came to
the bar as Judge Redfeld was about re-
tiring He remembered his forbearing
spirit to young attorneys.
S. &. Shurtleff also spoke of his ability as
Judge. His English was as good as Choate's.
j. H. Senter said Judge Redfield was en-
deared as a Judge. He was ever ready to
give kind words of advice. He was kind to
the young members of the bar. Few know
when to retire. Judge Redfield seemed to
anticipate what was before him and in 1884,
against the expressed wishes of many,
while he was yet in full possession Of his
powers, declined reelection.
Judge Rowell said that when he went
upon the bench in 1882 he became more in
timately acquainted with Judge Redfeld
than before. His estimation ripened into
an affection exceedingly pleasant. 1t was no
disparagement to the other members of the
supreme court to say that he was the most
valuable member. He remembered the re-
gret that was felt by the court when, in
1884, he declined reelection. He should
never forget what one of the judges re-
marked to him, saying; " We shall have to
be better lawyers ourselves"
The clerk was ordered to enter the resolu.
tions on the records of the court and to for.
ward copies thereof to the family of the
deceased.