Connecticut western news., 1891-12-10
THE LITCHFIELD BAR.
Past and Present.


 The winsted Herald of Nov 27, has . very interesting letter from its Litch- field correspondent, writing up matters in and about that town, from which we copy the following:
 Our new court house Is perhaps the most familiar edifice to your citizens. for many appear here as witnesses, de- fenders, and accused. Here the fa- mons ssSureties of Peace" case was tried, and Geralds again remanded to jail to die there of old age or be releas- ed at the will of officials. No money and few friends is poor material to go te court with However, Wlusted 8 tlmld and frightened detective. John F. Sim mons, can now pursue his vacations, his honest heart free from palpitations caused by his terror of sudden death.
 A new schedule of fees has been es- tsblished by the county bar. the pres ident of which is James Huntington. succeeding Henry B. Graves, deceased The mention of the latter name brings to mind that death and old age have silenced many of the able voices that once made the old court house ring The bar in those days was considered as able as any in the state. Recently one of ..The last of the Mohicans" stood within the bar enclosure watching the progress of trial. Standing erect his snow white hair and beard marking him as a distinguished veteran. He remark ed to the writer that it was not the lm- pressive scene of years ago; young and inexperienced men were wrestling with legal questions that once were the play things of Granger, Church, Graves, Hol- lister and host of others equally strong in legal acumen. Perhaps the lncen- tive to study law in our county Is less now than formerly, owing to the lm- menss decline of legal business, and the engagement in mercantile pursuits of most of the rising young men. A deceased attorney Is soon forgotten bv the world, if he depends upon strict ly law practice for notoriety and endur ing memory. The profession IS often condemned by the ignorant and mar row minded as sort of necessary evil Their idea is that prima facle an attor ney is 8 man who foments discord tG profit by the entanglement. Any law yer can remember, when arriving al some small hamlet to try justice case the coarse remarks and jokes of the by islanders. The real truth Is that society owes a vast debt to true and able law yers; without their assistance our stat ute book would contain an absurd col lection of laws defeating the object they were intended to effect. Among tht judges of recent appointment, occupy ing the Superior Court bench, nons have made friends more rapidly thar Judge Prentice of Hartford. This Il not owing entirely to the marked ability and learning of the Judge, but also tt his affable, genial, and courtly manner always patient with the bar he Is espec ially kind to the young. difident,- ant often tedious young practitioner. On' is indelbly impressed that he Is Tn th' presence of 8 true gentleman, wh' maintains his dignity, at the same tim' binding those to him with whom h. comes in contact. with cords of kind ness and consideration. This policy i natural to the Judge and will ensur his support, regardless of prejudice o party lines. Of tho judges of our Com mon Pleas court the genial, able, ant consiierate Judge Rorsback Is very pop ular. This gentleman tried his frs case as student defending Bion, wh' was at the time charged with burglariz ing Lyman Dunning's store at Eas Canaan. Henry B. Graves told th writer that he saw then that the young man had the fright sort of stuff iu him, and time has proved the correctness O his opinion. We prophecy before lonl that tue bench of the Superior Cour will be honored with his presence. Tn good nature of the Judge beams iron his face a. will be proved by the follow ing incident: A young woman who ap peared in court was very nervous. an' stood greatly in awe of the proceeding Upon being assured that no harm coul' come to her she finally said: "Well I'm not afraid one bit now, for tn Judge looks so awfully jolly"