The record-union., 1892-11-05
JUDGE VAN FLEET RETIREO.
Kind FareweIls From the Members
Of the Sacramento Bar.
The Judge Says His Eight Years of
Service Here Were the Hap
piest of His Life.

Judge w. G. Van Fleet formally stepped
down and off the Superior bench of Sac
ramento County yesterday.
His honors resignation takes effect
Monday, but as yesterday was last court
day, the occasion was made considerable
of by the bar. There was quite a gather
ing of Sacramento's legal lights when
court convened in the forenoon, and the
lobby was also we'll filled.
After taking his seat, Judge Van Fleet
said: "As the gentlemen of the bar are
aware to-day will practically end my ad
ministration of this tribunal, and wish
10 take this occasion, since 1 may not
have another, to express to the bar, as
well as to the officers of the court my sim
cere appreciation OF the uniform courtesy
and kindliness of sentiment that has
characterized their conduct toward my
self during the eight years that have oc-
cup1ed the bench of this county.
NOT AN EASY JOB.
THE administration of an important
judicial office is not a light task,'' con-
tinued the Judge; not bed of roses, so
10 speak, and it is inevitable, perhaps,
that now and then unpleasant incidents
" III OCCNlI W llidI. ltul JOIdIlly, lldl per
feet serenity of intercourse between court
and counsel which is always to be de-
sired. But looking back over the period
OF my incumbency of this office my
mind reverts to no circumstance of a
character to leave an unpleasant inn
preston. There is no place where mu-
tual assistance and cooperation are so
essential to the best results as between
the Judiciary and the bar; and no Judge
can hope to efficiently administer justice
without the cordial support and sympa
thy OF those members practicing before
him, and l feel that this has been es-
peelaliy true with me. At the time | as
sumed the rights of this office l was
younger in both years and experience,
and found myself beset with many mis-
givings. And | feel that whatever of sue
cess l may have achieved is due very
largely to the kindly aid and influence OF
the gentlemen who have practiced before
me. For this l shall always feel a sense
OF gratitude"
HAPPILY DISAPPOINTED.
Ex-Judge S. Solon Holl, one of the
Oldest members of the bar, arose and re-
piled to Judge Van Fleet in pleasant
speech. This being the last active day
that your honor will occupy the bench"
he said, 'and being about to depart 10
other scenes and other employments, it
IS but proper at this time for the mem
bers of the bar to express the satisfaction
they have felt in the administration of
Justice since your honor has occupied
this bench. / confess that when yOur
honor first took this seat that felt some
thing OF the apprehension which your
honor felt at that time. | felt that Drob-
ably you was not bringing to this bench
the experience which ought to be brought
by one who presdes in a position so I'M
portant as this has been. / think that
express the sentiment of the bar generally
when say that we were all very haDpilv
disappointed. l must say that I was for
one most happily disappointed, for |
found that your honor brought to the
discharge of the duties of this exalted
office that state of mind which enabled
you to transact business to the entire
satisfaction, not only of the bar but of the
1tigant in this court, and from that time
on the usefulness of the Judge of this
court has increased, and it is perfectly
safe to say, and l say it as one who has
some knowledge and experience on the
subject, that the duties of Judge of this
court have never been more ably or more
faithfully discharged by any one who has
presided in this court than by your honor
since you have taken your seat upon the
bench. There is one qualification in
Judge, arising out of the peculiar posi-
ton, and important position. that the
court occupies, that, above all other
qualifications, is the most important, that
IS the qualification which the Judge OF
this court possesses in
DEGREE THAT VERY FEW EVER POSSESS,
and that is, perfect integrity in the dis
charge OF the judicial functions, and there
is no higher quality that can be brought
ITO the bench than integrity in the dis
charge OF the duties of the office of JUDGE.
the power OF the Judge is very great and
at Is but too true, that owing to the man
sner OF the election of Judges in this coun-
Z ! 80 81.
good fortune OF people to have uDon the
bench men of strict and unsweryino in
-tegrlty. There Is, so far as the bar of
this county is concerned, and so far as the
'1ltigants in this court are concerned. and
so far as any body who has any knowl-
Suge OF the subject Is concerned, there
has not been and there is not now anv
question upon that subject, and it is
something OF the utmost importance. We
cannot always agree with your honor in
yourJudgment-you differ very often-we
very often think that your honor decides
a case as we think it ought not to be de-
.clded, but there is no member of this har
that | know-that ever doubted that
your honor decided a case according to
your own ideas of the law and of the
facts of the case-that it was the law and
the fact only that influenced your honor
IN making this decision. | saw this be-
cause l think it is due to vonr honor
L u.
highest compliment that can be paid to n
Judicial or any other officer Personally
have very serious regrets on account 0f
the departure of your honor from this
city. Before you went upon the bench and
while you have been upon the bench our
relations nave been that of friends, and l
nope that they may continue to the end
OF lie. The good will of this bar and of
tins people-the people of the county of
Sacramento-wllI go with you, and will
hope Tor the future prosperity and use-
tulness in whatever field of labor Won
might see tit to exercise your talents and
your energy"
SINCERE REGRETS.
Ex-Justice Charles \. Post next nd
dressed tie court in a similar STRAIN. He
said: u consider myself extremelv for
tunate at being present. although ~ oc-
eIdent, and desire to express some feel
1ngs nave pertaining TO the Judpe of
TINS court. L consider myself fortunate at
being here at this time, and know that
other members of the bar will express
disappointment at not being able to be
present. have known the Judge of this
court Tor years, both intimately and we'll
And desire to say that il is with the sim
cereSt regret that | feel that the Judpe of
TINS court at this time is about to SUSPEND
his official relations with the members of
this bar. Judge Holl has very hand
somely expressed my feelings. I desire
TO say that Judge Van Fleet has earned
my admiration by his moral attitude.
possessing that quality which every
Judge should possess-the COURAGE to do
his duty without fear of wrongful or can
tlous criticism. / admire him for the
reasons tnat he can be friendly with the
members OF the bar in q social manner
anu YET at no time departing from that
dignity that ought to characterize every
.tnnua. TnA nnSSnsSiDn of ba =