Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1890-02-06
TRIBUTES OF RESPECT
Paid to the Memory Of the Late
Lorenzo Clay,
By the Members OF tho Ksunebec
Bar Association.

6Y tne mem peTo OF tno Aeone pee
Bar Association.
At meeting of the kennebec Bar
Association at the court house. Tuesday
exercises were held appropriate TO the
occasion, on the death of their late fellow
member Lorenzo Clay, of Gardiner. The
proceedings were as follows:
Judge Titcomo said
May il please the CoB,t:
At a meeting of the members of this bar
held Oh SATURDAY last. a committee was ap-
pointed TO prepare aud present to this court
resolutions EXPIRE ssive of their respect for
our late brother, Lorenzo Clay, who died at
his residence IN Gardiner, on Friday last,
and of their sense of the loss which has
been sustained by the profession. and by
this community. The melancholy duty OF
presenting these resolutions has been BY
this committee assigned to me.
Mr.. Clay was admitted to the bar in ls45.
Immediately opened his office in Gardiner.
and has continued in the active practice of
his profession in that city until u short time
prior to his decease.
In public lite he has served as CITY So
llcitor and as a member of the City Coun-
ell, in one branch or the other for many
years. Represented that city in the Legis-
iature in 1868 and 1864, WAS elected County
Attorney III 1861 and served until 1861
In the various public trusts thu. confi-
ed to him. he discharged every duty with
signal ability, diligence and fidelity. He
was man of inf xible honor and integrity,
In the discharge of his professional duties,
his conscientious earnestness secured the
attention and respect of the court and COM
msnded the confidence of the jury. II as
an advocate he was not always able to con
vince either of the justice of his cause, he
vas always listened to with respectful at
tentioa by the court and bar.
By course of honorable practice for
more than forty wears he acquired the well
earned reputation of a lawyer of sound and
discriminating judgment, and of an able,
active and successful advocate. His
fidelity to his client never permitted
personal considerations to warp his judg-
ment.
His untiring industry and devotion to the
business of his profession, his unostenta-
tious habits and his courteous intercourse
with his professional brethren n, challenged
admiration and commanded respect; and he
was most fortunate in securing the conf
dence and esteem for honor and integrity
of all with whom he came in contact, and
especially of those who in professional or
business relations could justly claim his
friendship.
Resoired That we deeply lament the
death of cur late brother Lorenzo Clay
who for so many years has justly earned
the respect and confidence of this bar, for
his labors in the walks of their profession,
and for his ability. honor and integrity al
ways exhibited in the discharge of his pro-
fessioual dlties, and for his urbanity and
kindness in his intercourse with his profes
sional brethren.
Resoired: That we recognize and admire
the rectituie of the judgment of our
deceased brother, the clearness and direct
ness of his presentation of his case in
argument, and the entire trustw orthyness
of his statements.
Resoired That we tender our respect
full sympathy to the family of our deceased
brother, cougratulating them that in their
irrepara lie loss they have the consolation
of the memory of public and professional
life and character in which there is moth
ing they could wish to have changed.
Resoired That these resolutions be com
municated to the Superior C,urt at the
opening of the next term. with the request
that they may be entered upon the records
of the court and that a copy Of the same,
be transmitted to the family of the de-
ceased.
Hon. J. w. Bradbury said
Nay il please Your Hopor:
have come into court this morning. and
now rise to express my approval of and
hearty concurrence in the resolutions that
have been presented. | knew Mr.. Clay
from the time he commenced to practice at
this bar, having many years preceded him,
Tor il is now within few months of sixty
wears since | comm II ced to practice here
[ have frequently tried cases with Mr..
CLAY, and in the last jury trial in which
appeared in this court he was my opponent.
He was always a man faithful to his clients,
and while he gave to them all the legal and
proper advantages in the trial of his case
be kuew the duties of lawyer-to aid the
court in the administratlon of justice be
tween man and man, and between the State
and those charged with offending it laws
He has left an honorable p ,blIc reputation,
and without fnrthe- remark | add my con
currence to what has been said.
George W. Heselton. Esq, said:
Nav IL please the Court;
would pay my tribute Of respect to the
memory of Bro. Clay, as one of the young
er practitioners of kennebec Bar who has
in many ways and at many times received
from him those kindly words of encourage
ment, those acts of consideration that vii!
always spring into recollection when i.
mentioned the name of LoreRzo Clay.
They were the promptings of a genial and
unselfish disposition, which was willing to
accord TO brother attorney all merited
praise, and to young lawyer who ras tread
ing for the first time the untried path of
Law practice, those timely suggestions that
saved him from many a stumble, yes, and
many fall
For eight years | have know1 him in the
practice of Law and during those years have
many times been opposed TO him in the trial
1f cases and can say with ali truthfulness
and csndor never knew him TO take any
un fair advantage of his opposing council
| His word in any agreement vas as good as
A bond. He had reached the zenith of his
. profession career when | commenced the
practice of law and had the prestige of a
reputation as a lawyer second to none In
the county. Under these circumstances il
| it to be wondered at that should remember
/ him and his kindly offices as child re me m.
\ bers the kindnesses Of an older and
stronger friend-vith gratitude and respect
Mr.. Clay was young lawyers friend, ant
az such I deeply regret his loss. Yet it
! his young friends he has left record OF
| indomitabe perseverance,, of uufsgzins
industry and ample success in his choser
profession that should be an inspiration Il
all. Left when 4 mere child an orphan
aud with grit. perseverance and good sens,
for his sole heritage, he secured his owl
education and made himself q leader il
his profession.
/ In his professional career he has show
Us the results Of industry and persever
anee and in the close of his busy lif
he evinced that complete resignation tha
came not from any doubt as to the Get
taiDty Of approaching death, for with th
brightness of his intellectual faculties IN
dimmed to the last day Of his life he kne'
full we'll that the end was close at hand, br
. resignation that came rather from a rea
izing sense that he had complied life
work 20 the best of his ability and in tn
way had made his best preparation for th
future, vbatever il may be. He indee
approached his grave
Like one that wrap. the drspery Of this cous
About hin, and lie. down 20 pleasant dreams.
We indeed have reason to respect b
memory And regret his loss.
L. c. Cornish, Esq, said:
|. Nay ii please the Court
= My brothers have dslineated With ri
= fidelity and yet With keen discriminate
= the characteristics both ~ . lawyer and