The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1891-09-29
HONOR TO THE DEAD.
Bar Of the US. Court Eulogizes
the Late Judge Sawyer.
An EARNEST. FEARLESS JUROR.
v,,edrfch's Attorneys Have Four Claims
70 . New Trial-News of the
Courts-Blotter.

meeting of the members OF the bar of Seattle
v.s held yesterday afternoon in the United
states district court room for the purpose of ex-
,,e.sna sorrow for the death and respect TO the
rsmory OF the late Judge Lorenzo Sawyer, of
,ss Ninth circuit of the United States circuit
eourt Resolutions were adopted and eulogis-
~ addresses were made, the Lawyers taking
deco and heartfelt interest in the proceedings
ofthe meeting.
Judre Hsnford. in calling the meeting to Or
des, said:
Itis customary in our profession, when one OF
an number, who, by u life of industry and by
II capabilities and worth of character, has
r1ed distinction, that those OF his associates
40 survive should express in some fitting
rfnner their appreciation for his services and
ebsracfer and their sorrow for his loss. On the
n day OF this month, in San Francisco, Cal,
judge Lorenzo sawyer, judge of the Ninth cir
suif died While we OF Seattle are most OF us
not well acquainted with him, yet he has pre-
,Ided upon the bench in this room, and he was
one OF Us and was well known To some. The
object Of this meeting is to give some such tit
Ing expression.
jrdge Hanford nominated as chairman OF the
meeting Hon Joseph Shipper. The motion was
sscepded by Judge Greene and Mr.. Shipper was
elec,ed to preside Mr.. L. T. Turner was chosen
& secretary upon motion of Colonel J.
Hanes. Judge Greene moved that the chair
scpoint committee OF three to draft resolu-
tous expressing the sentiments and feelings of
he meeting. The motion was seconded by
Colonel Haines and carried, and Judge Roger 9.
Greene, Judge C. II. Hanford and Judge w.
Lair Hill were appointed as such committee.
The following resolutions were drafted and
unanimously adopted, after q number OF
speeches by members of the bar:
Rsosrod That We learned with profound sor-
row Of the recent unexpected death of Lorenzo
Sawyer, judge OF the circuit court of the United
States for the Ninth circuit.
Rao!rd, That we would hereby express and
fVcord our sense of the great bereavement which
tie Pacific coast and the entire country have
judge OF such approved usefulness and ripe ex-
persence, and 80 justly distinguished for abil-
iiy, learning, independence, vigor, purity
md p. sas .,,,; and t In Short all
rare degree combined in him TO make 70 good
and eminent q judge, and we would respectfully
tender 10 the particular community in which he
lived md 70 Mis- stricken family our sympathiz-
ing sense Of the more especial loss each has sus-
tsined: aad
Rapsz That these resolutions, suitably en-
crossed, BE- forwarded to his family and that the
United Safes court of this district be requested
TO hare them entered at large upon its records
Lair Hill addressed the chair with feeling,
aging be had been somewhat intimately ac-
qusnted with Judge Sawyer from the time of his
appointment on the federal bench twenty-five
years ago. He tried before him the first case the
distinguished jurist heard on his first holding
court north of San Francisco, q case involving
large interests, and consequently ssubbornly
contested on both sides-and the decision was
against the speakers client, but was SO clear
ana logical that he was not at all dissatisfied
and was almost convinced at once that he was
on the wrong side. He had tried great many
cases before Judge Sawyer since that time and
always the impression of the judges greatness
- iurist which the frst case made, was forti.
Ted and confirmed. He said the Judge had, In all
bis decisions and in all his social intercourse
displayed those qualities OF directness, SIM
plicity and independence which are peculiar at
tributes OF lsrge-minded men as contradistin-
suished from men who, with acuteness, lack
breadth. Sawyer, he said, was Independent and
often differed from his brethren, not because he
liked to appear independent, but because he had
convictions, and his convictions were the con-
trolling force of his actions, no matter how
widely he differed from others. He also dwelt
on Judge Sawyer's characteristic modesty, cit
ing some instances of il, aud closed with the ex-
Fessive euloguim: "This great judge was great
snough TO understand how small are even the
greatest OF human characters"
Judge Greene said that he felt he ought not to
let the opportunity slip of adding his tribute of
admirstion and affection. His acquaintance
bad not been long, but IL had been intimate. In
addition to the exemplary traits mentioned by
preceding speakers, he had remarked the
strength OF Judge Sawyer's tender regard for his
family, his love of the relatives he had left be-
hind him in the past; his loyalty to his old
home ties and training, and the beauty of his
Domestic life; also his public spirit, not only
ready to indorse and acquiesce in what might
tsior the public good, but active to seek out
and set on foot spontaneously whatever would
benefit his neighborhood or the nation. His
lie on the Pacific coast was coeval with its set.
uement by men from the states, be having
come out here in 1850. In 1862 he was appointed
BY Governor Stanford judge of the Twelfth Judi
eiA district of California, then comprising the
eoaaties OF San Francisco and San Mateo, and
N@sabseQuently elected to the same Office the
zane year; the next year he was elected Judge
o. nsCsliornia supreme court for a term of six
ssns and served his term the last two years as
caiel Justice. In 1869, when the circuit courts
VI the United States were remodeled, he
vas appointed by President Grant the
mrs. circuit judge of the Ninth dis
tsnel an Office which he held until
ms death. During his judicial career he was
'@ied 10 consider and determine very many
causes Of great importance. among which may
&c mentioned the Spanish land grant cases, the
mining debris case, the cases involving the con-
suueuon and enforcement of the treaty between
.ae United States and China, and the ease of
Magic respecting the protection which the
uhltsd States can afford its judiciary. His de-
eson OF these and other causes gained him not
ohya national, but in some degree, worldwide
eputation- great judge has gone.
NJ. shipper. before putting the question on
The adoption of the resolutions, said:
We well know that those who hold judicial
Stations, however high, are never prominent TO
Ae public eve, but we of the legal profession
Know the great usefulness and quiet power OF
our judges in the administration of government
sadlaw. Only through the printed page OF his
Sessions was this deceased jurist know 10 me,
eai know with what respect aud Difference ali
as decisions, and especially those relating TO
iais court, were so regarded oy our supreme
court OF the United States at Washington. The
ieeotd OF his great and useful life is closed be-
You'd our power 10 add or detract: We simply
nave the privilege to express 10 this community,
" ais friends and kindred our recognition and
appreciation of his ability, his patriotism, his
Integrity aud his fidelity.
No'ohel Patrick Henry Winston and others
~ made short speeches touching upon the
>.Stsc'ef OF the deceased iurist.
us resolutions will be spread upon the
.eeefds Of Tie United states district court and
$50. seat to the bereaved family of the Ia