The climax. [volume] (Richmond, Madison County, Ky.) 1887-1897, 1890-06-04
MADISOX'S REPRESENTA-.
TIVE.
FRANKFoRr, KY, May %, 80.

Editor Gilman:
The Legislature having adjourned, l
feel that it is due to the very able and
distinguished Representative from Madi-
son county in that body-Hon. VIM. B.
Smith-to give his constituents, through
your paper, some idea of the estimate
formed Of him by his brother members,
as, also, by the citizens of Frankfort
that is, by all, who, during the past four
months, have here made his acquain-
lance, learned to appreciate his elevated
character, and are proud tobe numbered
among his friends.
From the very inception of the session,
Judge Smith made 4 fine impression, and
it was speedily seer that "Old Madison"
had again sent a rlan to Frankfort who
was bound to be leader in any deliber-
ativeor Legislative body,of which he might
be member. Though never a member
before, he seemed to take to the business
Of legislation "as a duck does to water"
A veritable strong man, too, with an ac-
tive, alert, we'll trained, thoroughly dis
ciplined mind; it is safe to assert that no
better, if as well equipped representative
of the people has entered the Kentucky
halls of legislation since the great war.
As was well said, the other day, by one of
the ablest of his colleagues in the Gener-
al Assembly: "Smith, of Madison, pos
sesses one of the brightest of intellects-
one, too, whose sense of justice seems al
most infallible; for, he seizes upon the
right side Of every question as if by in
stinct and there never was a lawyer in
this country Of whom it might be more
truly said, as was said Of Erskine. "He
is made out of the purest and whitest of
judicial porcelain If such things went
bv superior fitness, instead of favoritism
or accident, or if his qualifications had
been known to the Speaker at the begin
ming of the session, he should have been
put at the head of some of the most i'm
portant committees, especially that of the
judiciary. l sincerely trust that he will
before long be placed on the Appellate
bench-a position he would adOrn as
much, OF more than any man I know"
And, this combined wish ard opinion, is,
am informed, shared by the bar, bench,
and people Of this vicinity generally.
Judge Smith was also one of the very
best speakers-certIinly, one of the most
forcible and impressive in either house.
His speeches, though never long, or in
the slightest degree tedious, were always
terse, concise, and ever went straight to
the point
To-day the Capital is nearly deserted
by its usual quota Of public men, many
citizens, nearly all the State officers, as
well as most of the members of the Leg
islature having gone down to Louisville to
attend the Democratic State Convention
to nominate a candidate for Clerk of the
Court of Appeals. Usually, scores Of the
members remain here after the adjourn
ment; some for a week or two, and some
for even longer periods but, to-day, there
was but one member-a Senator-to be
seen here, besides our home representa-
tive. Now, that they are gone, the gen.
eral verdict seems 10 be, that the Legisla-
ture Just adjourned, was enc of the best,
if not the best that has been seen here for
a quarter of a century; and can safely
say. that 10 member Of either branch
contributed more 70 give it that reputa-
ton than did the member from Madison,
Hon. w. B. Smith.
Judge Smith leaves Frankfort with the
earnest best wishes Of every man, woman
and child in the Capital, and we all trust
that he may, before long, realize the most
sanguine hopes of high and honorable
ambition in the lire OF his profession.
No one who real Judge Smiths occa-
SIGNAL letters to TIm CLIMAX, during the
session, written curreiite calamo, and Civ
ing graphic accounts Of the proceedings,
the modes of accomplishing legislative
business. etc. COLD have failed to note
The remarkable talent he displayed IN
them for the highest order Of journalism.
j.. P.