The Redwood gazette. [volume] (Redwood Falls, Minn.) 1873-1940, 1892-10-27

ney of that section. In 1855 ne was ad-
mitted to the bar, and the year follow
ing removed to the new community,
then in its infancy, at the falls of St.
Anthony. Here he formed a partner
ship with Hon. F. r. E. Cornell-after-
ward justice of the state supreme
court, now dead and entered upon the
active practice of his profession.
Three years later, at the general cleo
ton in 1859, he was elected Judge of the
district court, position he held for two
terms of six years each, or until he was
chosen associate justice of the supreme
court in 1881. At the time of his first
election to the district bench, Judge
Vanderburga was only 80 years of age,
and had been in the active practice of
his profession less than five years. His
district was a large one,
comprising most of the newly
organized counties north and west of
Minneapolis. He was entirely without
judicial experience, the state was new
to organic. political and social life, and
there were untold difficulties which do
not now exist that would test the abil-
ity, courage, and patience of the best
man, and one most DESTROYS of dealing
out equal and exact justice to his fellow
citizens. How well Judge Vanderburgh
discharged his judicial functions may
now be learned in the volumes of re-
ports stored away in the legal libraries
of the state.
In 1880 he was elected associate JUS
tice of the supreme court, and again in
1886 to the same high position-this time
without opposition. There had gradu-
ally grown up throughout the state a
sentiment that the judiciary should be
removed from the field of practical poll
tics. and the election of Judge Wander
burgh therefore had no political signi6-
canoe. His election was more in the
nature of tribute to his high personal
character, and a testimonial to his Judi
cial fairness and perfect rectitude in the
administration of his high and response
BILE duties.
It is hardly necessary in this place to
pay tribute to the personal and official
worth Of Judge Vanderburgh. His life
for nearly forty years has been beneath
the white light of responsible official
position. During his long career he has
been called upon to pass Judgment upon
thousands of cases-civil and criminal;
to adjudicate between the rich and the
poor, the educated and the ignorant,
employer and employee. A personal
knowledge Of his character and motives
shows to everyone the instructive and
conscientious character of the whole
man. If the balance of perfect Justice
ever tips in his hand it is always on the
side toward the weak, the helpless and
the erring. Unsparing in his standard
Of right and wrong, as applied to his
own life and personal self-government,
the kindness and mercy in his nature
goes out freely toward the weak and
helpless who look to the seat occupied
by him for an equitable adjustment of
their interests.
It is unfortunate that the leaders of
the great political organizations of the
state should not have seen their way
clearly to an agreement that would take
the higher judiciary out of the arena of
politics. As they have not, the long and
unsullied judicial career of Hon. Charles
E. Vanderburgh will certainly weigh
with those voters throughout the state
who are convinced-as all should be
that pure judiciary is the sheet-anchor
of Republican government.