St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1891-01-04

Henry J. Horn. James Smith Jr., Alfred
S. Hall and S. p. Crosby.
The manner of the older member; of
the bar showed the feeling of regret
they felt at saying farewell to Judge
Wilkin as a Judge Oh the bench and
their voices were somewhat tremuouS.
The speeches of all bore testimony 10
the sterling qualities Of the eminent
jurist and his kindness as well as thor
oughnesS OH the bench. Judge HaScal
X. Brill as the presiding justice, re-
sponded to the motion, and addressed
the members Of the bar as follows:
Judge KsrilIss Ruling.
It is well, at the close of a just mans life.
to rehearse his good deeds but it is better to
recognize his worth while he is still alive, be-
fore his ear is too dull 10 hear and his heart
TOO cold to respond. 1t is fitting therefore.
when the judge who has presided in this
court with so much grace and dignity for
these many years sits upon this bench for
the last time that we should express to him
1.-THE kindly, earnest man.
Dreading praise not blame
our appreciation of his work and eharac-
ter. and it is fitting that the records OF the
court should forever hence rear witness 10
his worth.
His brethren of the bench desire to empha-
size all that has been said of Judge Wilkin
bar. The relations between Judge Nllklu
ana his brother judges have always been
most happy The resources of his mind have
been open to every reqn1s1tlon we might
make uDon them. and many times the failure
of Justice i'll causes not heard by him has
been avoided by his wise and timely coun-
sell We regret that the relations which so
long and pleasantly have existed between US
are now to be severed. but we rejoice that as
member of this bar he will still be our
friend
In this connection it is not improper to call
attention to another fact. Without disparag-
ing others. and without fiattery, l W ish to
say that the bar of this county is all excep-
tional body of men-exceptiona in learning,
in ability, in character. A few unworthy men
are there, as in every calling, but
the men are not a few who are
the peers of members of the pro-
fession anywhere. The standing of this bar
is far above the average. And the bench and
bar have always maintained the most cordial
relations. Mutual respect. each for the
other, has bound us close together. Lawyers
have sought not merely to win case, but
they have beeD anxious to ylnd1Cate the
right The dyes have felt that they had an
honorable, trained corps of advisers, coun-
sellers of the court, assisting them in their
search for the truth. We have felt that we
were all, bench and bar, equally interested in
the purpose for which courts and lawyers
exist-the administration of justice.
liz uiSh CllUluCtCI anu "a lhio
bar. and the happy relations existing be-
tween bench ana bar, may be due to several
causes, but To no one cause more than to the
presence upon the bench of this district, at
an early day. and through these formative
years, of Judge Westcott Wilkln. His great
learning, his simple dignity, the conscientious
impartality of his MIND, his kindness to the
new practitioner his hostility to triekery and
sharp practice have contributed largely TO
elevate the profession and dignity the court.
l take great pleasure in announcing that,
at the request of the bar association and his
associates of the bench Judge Wilkin has
presented this fine portrait of himself. which
will be hung upon the walls of this room.
The address presented by the bar association
will be spread upon the minutes of the court.
. Sheriff Bean now proclaimed that the
court had adjourned sine die, and MEM
bers of the bar and others pressed for
ward to shake hands with the man who
had Just stepped down from the benc
he had SO long and ably occupied to be-
come for the remainder of his life pri
vate citizen from mere choice.