The Portland daily press., 1892-03-28
In JUDGE PlJTNAM'S HONOR.
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urally excited thereby, our federal iudic-
iary has kept calmly and firmly on the
constitutional path, and has in frequent
instances shown itself able and willing to
adhere to fundamental principles which
passion, or hasty, or unwise, legislation
has attempted TO overthrow.
All these qualifications for good
Judge are found in Brother Putnam, and
[ expect him to attain a first-class repu-
tation as q judicial officer. He has resid-
cd among us for many years, and we
know him thoroughly well. We, of the
Bar, with whom he has practiced his
profession for 25 years, know him as a
learned lawyer, of large ability, great in
dustry, honest minded, patient to listen,
and safe in his final conclusions.
During 40 years practice OF the law,
when this Bar numbered among its
members such legal giants as Evans, the
Fessendens, father and son, Howard,
Fox, Goldman, Shepley, Barnes and 9th
ers, not to mention the living, it has
been my fortune to be opposed to most
of them in the trial of important causes;
and during the last rs years have had
many forensic encounters with Brother
Putnam, as well as with many other able
members of this and other bars, and l
have always found him an antagonist
quite as formidable as any have met.
When prevailed against him it was be-
catise l had the better cause, and not be-
cause he did not make the most Of his.
It is unnecessary to say that the Bar is
not only satisfied, but highly pleased to
be able to greet our late associate as
Judge Putnam. We have no fear that
the judicial ermine will be soiled while
worn by him. Those of you who are not
members of the Bar, I have no doubt
will cordially endorse all have said OF
him and while you lose the tried coun
selor, whom you all have appreciated,
you cannot fail to be pleased that he has
received the reward which his eminent
ability and learning have richly earned.
give you the health of Judge Put
nam; may he live long to adorn the
bench and administer justice according
Judge Putnam's Speech.
Mr.. President and Gentlemen:
Ihave something to say to you; and as
the most of you are neighbors. and all of
YOU friends, / trust that can speak to you
frankly and in afamilar way without be-
ing suspected of self-complacency. But
first wish to dispose of what my broth
er Strout has said, and what may be said
by, other members of the Cumberland
Bar, if any are to follow, in the same
strain. We lawyers abuse each other in
court, and then when 60 out among our
clients, to even up, we praise each other.
Laughter.
The present system of judges of the
Circuit Court of the United States origi-
mated, think, in the act of 1869. When
the President of the United States and
his distinguished Attorney General,
Judge Hoar, looked about through the
states of Maine, Massachusetts, New
Hamshire and Rhode Island to find one
who was fitted above all others to inau-
gurate the new system, they selected
your distinguished fellow citizen, Gen.
George F. Shepley, Applause Gen.
Shepley having served in that position
nearly 10 wears, came to what seemed on
account of his great alertness, physically
and mentally, most untimely death in
1879.
His successor was the embodiment of
Justice, than whom none was more keen
scented to get at equity, marvel OF
learning, the Hon. John Lowell, who
served until 1884. Applause.] His sue
cessor was the present judge of the
Circnit Court Of the United States, of
whom all need say is that he is model
Judge, LeBaron B. Colt. Applause
Now, Mr.. President, while Twas trying
case in December last in the city of
Portsmouth, having given my hearty and
unreserved efforts to secure the appoint
ment as associate with Judge Colt Of a
gentleman from this city whom you all
know, who deserved the position, but
who perhaps is held for some more dis
tinguished position, Hon. Charles f.
Libby, [applause], was surprised at re-
ceiving a message by telephone that the
President had sent my name to the Sem
ate as that of man fit to associate with
the last of this distinguished line OF
Judges The first sensation was some
thing like that which comes to a drown
ing man, who, as it is said, thinks in an
instant Of all the defects Of his character.
1t seemed to me that I thought at once
of the great chasms in my legal knowl-
edge and legal ability which might unfit
me for the position. My second thought
reminded me of a distinguished probate
Judge in Lincoln county, who was called
| to decide upon the mental capacity of a
| gentleman living in that county. The
| lawyers upon either side had filled the
court room with medical experts; but
the Judge said, Il don't care anything
| for your doctors or experts; I want to
know what the boys at home say about
this man, And the second thought that
came to me was: II want to know what
the boys at home will say about this APP
pointment." [Laughter.] Well, Mr..
President, have here tonight response
from the boys at home. Applause.
And may well say that, if those among
| whom 1 have wrought out my life s work,
| and to whose kindness and Partially I
| owe whatever success l have achieved,
had failed me at this time, my own heart
| might well.have failed me.
| / have received, am thankful to say,
from all my neighbors and all my friends
kind response. And say further that
so far from this tanning my vanity, it has
| induced me to consider carefully how !
can avoid lowering the Office by inatten-
ton, lack of legal knowledge, or defic
iency in upright purpose.
| Imay say that in addition to the kind
response have received at home have
heard something from abroad. Among
others recall letter from a friend in
New York received soon after the nomi-