The morning news., 1889-04-26
JUDGE ADAMS TO RESIGN
He WILL RETIRE FROM THE sUPE-
RIOR COURT BENCH MAY /.

Made to the Members Of the Bar
Expressions of Regret Upon the Cir
cult Losing a Faithful Judge-To
Engage in the Practice of Law the
Reason for Judge Adams With
drawal from the Bench-His Resig-
nation to Be rendered the Governor
in Person - Capt. Robert Falligant
His Probable Successor.
Judpe A. Pratt Adams of the Eastern
iudicjal circuit will retire from the bench
NAV ! to engage in the practice of his pro-
fession. His resignation of the judgeship,
to take effect on that date, was announced
yesterday, and will be rendered TO Gov
Gordon this week.
A meeting of the bar was held in the superior
court room at t5oclock yesterday afternoon,
when it was whispered that Judge Adams
would communicate his intention to resign.
Every member of tie bar was present
and the court room was crowded. Judge
Harden Of the city court occupied a seat on
the bench to the right of Judge Adams. As
soon as the meeting was called to order
Judge Adams said:
Gentlemen Of the Bar: / have asked you to
meet me this afternoon, that might announce
my purpose at a very early day, TO retire from
the bench. / wish at once to make to the gov
ernor a personal tender of my resignation. and
TO request that it take effect May /. On many
accounts this announcement is made with re-
luctance and regret During the six years and
q half of my ncumbency Of the bench, my
relations with the bar and the people
Of this circuit have been, without exception or
qualification, exceedingly pleasant. l have
tried to discharge my delicate and responsible
drtia trifh rayard a the dignity 0f M
Office, with an eye single to the cause OF truth
and justice and with perfect consideration for
the rights and for the feelings Of every
individual, be he suitOr, witness, juror,
official or counsel. that could be
affected by my action or my utterances.
! have striven to obey my constitutional
obligation, ''to administer justice without re-
spect TO person, TO be always impersonal aud
impartial, and whatever may have been my
errors, cherish the hope That in this endeavor
] have not failed.
To you, gentlemen, to your industry and
ability, to your uniform courtesy and consid-
Grafton, | owe more than | can express
Throughout my professional career trust that
! shall retain that which ! now possess, the
friendship of every member OF this bar.
THE BARS REGRETS
The announcement was surprise to a ma
jority of the bar, and the speeches which
followed showed with what regret it was
received W. G. Charlton, Esq, regarded
the retirement Of Judge Adams as a public
calamity. There is no question, he said, as
TO the peerless service he has rendered. He
has been just judge, a courteous and a
patient judge, and Mr. Charlton added
that it had been to him surprise that he
had been so patient under all circumstances
while on the bench. He welcomed him as
a practitioner TO the bar.
Col. George A. Mercer said that the an
noupcement of Judge Adams That he would
retire from the bench was profound sur
prise to him, and it was with deep regret
that he had listened to the announcement.
Judge Adams, he said. has presided with
wonderful courtesy and ability and has
won the esteem and affection OF the bar.
He was glad to know, however that he will
remain in Savannah and will practice
his profession here. He pro
foundly regretted Judge Adams re-
tirement from the bench. While it is
true, he said, that he had sometimes
decided adversely to him, that is the ex-
perience Of attorneys before all courts, and
ne could say that he had never lost case
in which he had felt that Judge Adams
decision had not been based upon a strict
idea of justice. Judge Adams, he added,
has not only made an enviable reputation
as judge. but he has earned the profound
esteem Of the bar.
THE BAR TO TAKE ACTION.
Hon. P. W. Meldrim thoroughly sub
scribed to the expressions of esteem that
had been made. a more enduring recOg-
milton Of how the bar held Judge Adams in
esteem, he believed, should characterize
the meeting of the bar. He therefore
moved that a committee of five be ap-
pointed to draft resolutions TO be spread
upon the records of the court. He bade
Judge Adams Godspeed in his professional
career at the bar.
Hon. F. g. duBignon seconded Mr.. Mel
drim's resolution. lie heartily coucurred
IN the view that the sentiment of the bar
should 60 on the records of the court as n
perpetuity and lasting endurance of the
esteem in which Judge Adams is held by
the bar and this could best be done by
spreading upon the records resolutions ex-
pressive Of its feelings.
Junge Harden appointed Mr.. w. G.
Charlton, Esq, Col George A. Mercer,
Hon. p. w. Meldrim, Hon. Fleming duBig-
non and Col James Atkins a committee to
draft suitable resolutions to be submitted
before the close of the present term of the
court.
J. R Saussy ESQ. prefaced his remarks
by suggesting that the court remain open
until April 3 and he paid a high tribute
70 Judge Adams Mr.. Saussy said that a
few days ago, in conversation with one of
the oldest and most eloquent members of the
bar, Gen. jackson, who, not anticipating
the retirement of Judge Adams from the
bench, mad said'of his administration, that
it recalled the earliest and palmiest days Of
Judge Fleming, a compliment. Mr. Saussy
said, that could not he improved upon.
THE COURT ADJOURNED.
Judge Adams was visbly affected by the
kindly words spoken by the members Of the
bar. He announced that the court would
take recess until Monday, April %, but
that in the meantime any orders TO be
passed upon viii have consideration in
chambers. and that briefs of evidence and
other matters requiring the attention of
the court will be considered.
After the meeting Of the bar adjourned
Judge Adams spoke feelingly and colrte-
ously 10 the court officials, compimentiug
them upon the manner IN winch they had
seconded the court in the administration of
business
To a MORNING NEWS reporter Judge
Adams said that it is his intention 20 re-
main in Savannah and practice his profes-
sion. He will connect himself with the law
firm Of Denmark 4 Adams Of which his
brother, S. B. Adams Esq, is member
Judge Adams will make personal tender
Of his resignation TO Gov. Gordon.
The retirement of Judge Adams from
the bench leaves a vacancy which the gov
eruor will fill by appointment until the
meeting Of the legislature. Capt. Robert
Falligant is understood 10 be the unanimous
choice Of the bar rs Judge Adams successor,
and his appointment will be unanimously
recommended
The City's New Fire Engine