News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1888-02-23
Death OF Hon. A, z. Judeyfne.

Death OF Hon. A. e. Judevine.
The sudden death of Judge Judevine.
of HardwIcE. on the 10th inst, has re-
move one who for nearly halt a century
has been prominent in the affairs Of town |
county and State. Probably no man has
lived in Hardwick for the past fifty years
who has been so closely identified with
its business interests as he has. Coming
there a comparatively young man, he at
once commenced a business career which
in the end not only brought him an am
pie competence, but also developed many
industrial enterprises that increased the
trade and stimulated the growth and
prosperity of his town. In his business
character he displayed an unusually
keen foresight and comprehensive jndg-
ment. He was systematic i'll method
and speech. and painstaking in detail.
Throughout his long career his books anu
papers were kept with all the exactness
and finish of the most fastidious banker.
1t Is said that at his death his books and
papers would show the state of his ac-
count with everybody with whom he
ever had dealings.
In the field of politics he was known
throughout the State. He was an un-
finching Republican and temperance
man, and in the %counsels of his party
would never suffer its cardinal principles
to be ignored or forgotten. He held near
ly all the local offices in his town and has
often been a member Of the State Legls-
lature, serving at different times i'll both
Houses. He was also a delegate in two
or three conventions called to amend the
State constitution. His service in the
Legislature was in no sense perfunctory.
On the contrary few men in the State
n ~n nntrihtrfn ~. 70 in a n llrltp n1l-
eficial changes in Il statutes and over
throw mischievOus legislation h he.
He was the father of the noted ''Judevlne
law" which took away the Liability. OF
towns tor accidents on the highway. thus
not only relieving the towns III the stare
from many unfOunded claims ana ground
less suits, but at the same time develop
ing in the travelling public a much larger
percentage of prudent drivers. This law
has withstood the attacks OF newspapers
and the scrutiny Of successive ieSisla-
lures. and is doubtless i~rrevocaoiy emu
bedded In the legislative policy OF the
State. Its passage. all acquainted Win
the facts agree, was due to his persistent
work and sleepless vigilance.
He was the author of the valued Policy
Bill which came near becoming 4 law In
1880. He believed that insurance cor
porations should pay the amount stlpu-
lated in their policies in case of total loss.
However people may differ rs TO the
practical workings of such a law but
few can be found who will question its
apparent Justice. His bill failed of pas
sage by a slender margin, but he had the
rood fortune to live long enough to see
its main features adopted in the Legisla-
ture of New Hampshire and other States.
In the Constitutional Convention OF
1870 he was strongly in favor. OF the
amendment providing for biennial cleo
tions and no one man in that convention
did more effectual work i'll securing the
adoption of that amendment. In poilti-
cal matters he was a Jealous partizan ana
a dreaded opponent. His acute knowl-
edge of men and wonderful fertility OF
resource made him q host IN q sharp po-.
litical campaign. He loved this Kind OF
w~arfare-loved to lay out a plan and then
TO bring men to his way of thinkins As he
successfully carried it out. He will be
greatly missed in the conventions OF his
party, in county and State, where his
counsel and advice has always been
EAGERLY sought and his great influence
universally conceded.
He was a man of positive convictions
and marked individualities; and like all
men of that makeup, had strong friends
and strong enemies. If he was your
friend, vow knew it for he set no bounds
to his fidelity; if your enemy. he lett no
uncertain signs of his position but he
was open in his warfare and never fired
from an ambush. He had great respect
for an open and fearless opponent and
after the heat of a bitter political Gam
psign had subsidized, would generally be
the first to tender an olive branch.
Like most men he had personal enc
mics who. as he thought. conspired to In
lure him. Probably he suffered some
what by their influence. Factions in
town and factions in political circles have
| doubtless alienated some men from him
and made others distrust his sincerity,
when without doubt, many times he was
more sinned against than otherwise. But
at all times and under all circumstances
he had a wide circle of steadfast friends
who lamented his sudden death. and will
long hold him in kind remembrance. Ii
lie had faults, SO do all Iaen. and we who
| survive him, unless We can show our
selves untainted, have no excuse for re-
Numbering them.
s1Ir mon whom men condemn as i'll,