The record-union., 1892-11-22
EI-JUDGB VAN FLEET.
The Bar of Sacramento Presents Him
a Testimonial.
An Interesting Episode in Department
Two esterday-Deserved Trib-
ute to the Ex-Judge.

An elegant silver tea-service Of five
pieces rested conspicuously on the Judges
desk in Department Two Of the Superior
Court, yesterday morning, when that tri-
unal opened.
Ihls fact. and the presence of ex-Judge
W. Z. Van Fleet among the members of
the bar ssembled, indicated to outsiders
| that proceedings somewhat out Of the
usual order were contemplated, which
| soon proved to be the case.
When Judge Johnson had formally
opened the court ex-Judge Armstrong
arose and said:
pray the Indulgence OF the court for =. few
moments. The Hon. W. c. Van Fleet has, OF
MS own Noltion, retired from the bench and
Tue bar-departing from the usual course
nilueI sucl clfcuinStances-haVe determined
/ 70 present MN q testimonial that he may re-
tam during his life, and transmit it as me-
lheAlo 70 MS children, who may in turn trans
lhli 70 MS grandchildren.
know OF but one instance similar that has
occurred IN this State. 1t was when the
venerable, honest, able and fearless Judge,
/ u. ~ Shattuck, left the Old Superior Court
1 DehcA oI the City of san Francisco. Then it
! was the bar OF that city felt toward him as do
/ tne par OF this city now feel toward the Hon.
/ W. " an leet. Then it was they permitted
I a SUBSCRIPTION from the members Of the bar
4 ana limited the amount OF each individual
/ SUBSCRIPTION y one dollar 50 that all joined in
/ NE testimonial. Ihey bought Watch, time
! piece; and upon one of the cases WAS inscribed
/ me name ID. Y. Shattuck; on the other the
| simple word, "Justice." Il was a very appro-
j pirate inscription, because he was a Just Judge
| ana with appropriateness there should be in
scfDeQ on the silver service we now tender to
ION ION. W. Y. Van Fleet that simple yet inn
| preSsive word, Justice
speaking for the tar, / viii say that we have
Always lelt the fullest confidence in your in
tegrlty ana in your Judgment. You Went
han
/ you have made an enviable reputation which
VIII accompany you 10 the ending Of life:
| your course has been one that should be EN-
| uIlteu Dy the younger members Of the bar of
the state Of California. | present t. YOU this
testimonial, bearing the signatures Of the
nem1ers OF the bar, and tender it to you on
pehai OF The members of the bar. Also we
you.
THE TESTIMONIAL.
| Following is the testimonial, which
pore the signatures OF nearly all the
members of the local bar:
Hon. ". c. Van Fleet, c1,-Judqe Of he S,t-
! peft0r G1Hrt q ne county Qf Sacramento We,
the undersigned, members OF the bar OF Sacra-
1nento County, beg TO present to YOU the ac-
| com lanying testimonial OF Our apprec.ia tion
OF the dignity, ability and impartiality with
| which you have discharged the duties OF vour
Once, and as an assurance OF the esteem in
| which we hold you for your ability and merits
as Judge and a citizen.
RESPONSE OF JUDGE VAN FLEET.
! Judge Van Fleet-Mr Spokesman and fal-
! IoW-melnbers OF the bar: 1t would be ifnpos-
slble Tor me, as you viii readily recognize 10
| fInu language to adequately express NV Senti-
| ments upon an occasion OF this kind Pleas
ure at times is embarrassing. 1t is so with me
| at TINS moment The sentiments feel on this
| occasion are such that am unable to express
! them in manner satisfactory to myself I
| think, however. that the members of the bar
| VIII better appreciate than words OF mine can
| express the feelings | entertain toward them
| by looking lack over the uniformly pleasant
| relations that have existed between US during
! the considerable period that | have occupied
| this pencn. As has been truly said by Judge
Armstrong / came upon this bench young
and inexperienced, and | came here with
many mlSgINlnSs, and as have said on pre-
| NlOuS OCCASIONS 1t is to the bar that | LARGELY
! owe any success 1 may have attained TINS
! beautiful testimonial OF the sentiment Of the
! bar toward myself comes with pleasurable
! sensations which | shall carry with me
/ throughout my life. The patriot Louis Kos
! suth has said that the great heart of the peo-
| pie never Deats wrong. Ii may be permitted
1 10 take TINS mementO as an expression of the
/ sentiment OF the people, can at least be- Der-
| m1tted to believe that throughout nv admin
Istlauon OF the odice from which | have now
retired | have not entirely failed in giving
| satisfaction TO the people Of Sacramento
/ County. The many expressions that i have
| received upon my retirement of the kindly
! sentiment Of the people OF Sacramento County
! viii go with me through life and will mark
! one OF its most pleasant periods. | feel that I
! never can nope to ind another community
| sentiment toward myself which have hereex-
/ perienced. 1t has made my departure very
| much harder than II otherwise would have
! been; but OF course, in this world it is gener-
! ally recognized that one should be permitted
! to DO that which in his own Judgment is for the
best for his material welfare. That alone has
| prompted my course and dictated nv dpnart-
ure tom Sacramento County. I shall take
| this mementO and shall keep warm in nv
memory the sentiments which have actuated
/ ITS presentation. shall Keep 1t during my
/ lifetime and shall hand il down to nv chill
! dren as something OF which trust they may
/ always feel proud. thank you sincerely for
/ this expression Of your kindly feeling
| Judge Johnson then directed the Clerk
| to spread the memorial presented by the
! bar to Judge Van Fleet on the minutes of
| the court.
REMARKS OF a. c. HINKSON.
Mr.. Hnkson-AIay it please your honor
and Judge Van Fleet l wish to say on behalf
| OF the bar Of our city and county. that this
! testimonial OF the admiration in which they
! hold Judge Van Fleet comes from each mem
Der who signed the testimonial with a feeling
| OF true friendship and the nigh esteem in
! which they hold Judge Van Fleet. When the
/ Judge came to the bench OF this county he
was comparatively young, and speaking for
! myself | am candid to say that i had S0na
I mIsgivings as TO what his success might he in
! that important capacity. But | feel assured
! that l express the sentiment of every member
Of this bar when say that Judge Van Fleet
has retired rom the bench OF this county
with the respect and confluence OF every meni-
Ger OF TINS bar, 10 say nothing OF the litigants
| who have been before him, and | want 10 as
! sure him on behalf OF the members oi the bar
| that the kindly feeling we have VIII 20 with
| him wherever his lot may be cast in life.
| REMARKS OF DISTRICT ATTORNEY RYAN.
District Attorney Ryan-May it please the
court and members OF the bar, l feel / cannot
| allow this occasion to pass without saving a
word of what l deem to be due Judge Van
1 Fleet. When came into the Office of District
! Attorney two years ago Judge Van Fleet
! spoke TO me about what lie thought would be
! the best course 10 pursue to make a success in
my Office. l remember well he told me at the
| beginning OF my ternl that he desired the Dis
trict Attorney should always come into court
and answer ready in the trlal OF his cases. I
found with Judge Van Fleet upon the bench l
had much assistance l round him always
ready and willing to encourage an officer IN
the faithful discharge OF his duties. l feel
upon mis- retiring from the bench that Sacra-
mento County ana its officers are losing a man
| vino had thoroughly their interests at heart.
ana the interests OF the people OF this county
| feel If l have made success during my
term OF ONCE much is due to his advice ana
encouragement And | Wanti to say l regret
| very much his retirement because Of the
abinty he has shown in the discharge OF his
1 duties as Judge, and the encouragement he