Evening journal., 1893-02-02


Williams, Piling, Salisbury, Watkins
and Jacobs joint committee 10 draft res
olutions Of respect for the late president
of the judiciary.
The committee submitted resolutions
which were unanimously adopted. They
enlogized the revered judge and |
deplored his death. The final
resolution was that both Houses at
tend his funeral in a body.
Out of respect, the Legislature then
adjourned.
staf Correspondence Evening Journal.
DOVER, Feb. 2.-Ex- Chief Justice
joseph P. Comegys is dead He died
peacefully at his home on the Green at
o'clock last evening, with his daughter,
Miss Margaret d. Comegys, and other
relatives at his bedside AT the advanced
age of 70 years he has gone above to
associate himself with the Supreme
Judge of the universe, and his life and
death were the principal topics Of con
versation here last night. The express
sion of regret is universal. Everybody
speaks in the highest terms of his ability
as lawyer and his sterling character as
| q man.
The arrangements for his funeral have
not vet been completed but It is thought
that it will be on Saturday afternoon aud
that interment will be made in the Pres
byterian cemetery here, in which hB
wife is buried Rev. Lewis Gibson, of
Christ P. E. Church, will probably be
the officiating minister. as the ex chief
Justice was member of that church.
his funeral will doubtless be one Of
the largest ever known in the state
The governor, judges. state officials,
} lawyers, legislators. and public men
from all parts of the state will attend.
The General Assembly will meet to-
morrow morning. pass resolutions con
cerning his death and adjourn until
Monday 1t is probable that the mem
bers will attend in body.
Brief sketch of His Career.
Hon. Joseph P. Comegys LII D.. late
p chief Justice Of the State of Delaware,
was born about four miles east of Dover,
, at the old family seat of the Marims
! called Cherbourg, December 30. 1918, and
was the third son of Cornelius p. Come
! gys. governor of Delaware from 1887 to
! | 1S4l, and Ruhamah Marin Comegys.
Z The son was educated at Dover Acad-
! envy. In May, 1881, be entered the Office
of his distinguished relative, John M.
= | CLAYTON, as a student Of law. and was
= admitted to the bar in 1885 He was
8 elected to the State Legislature in lo4S
e and 1913.
In 1855 he declined the position of as
4 sociate Justice of Kent county, which
appointment was rendered him by Gov
e ernor Causey.
y On the death of John Nj. Clayton, II
4 1856 Mr. Comegys was appointed by
Governor Causey to fill the vacancy il
a the United States Senate. On May Is
4 1875. Governor Cochran appointed Mr.
Il Comegys chief justice Of Delaware, Il
q succeed Edward w. Gilpin, Who die'
}. suddenly. He presided over the Courts
e Of Delaware for sixteen years.
q Too Liberal to Become Rich.
e But for the liberal and charitable dis
Il position. which he honestly came by a
, an inheritance from both his father an
l. mother, the extensive practice which b
= enjoyed for so many years would hav
y enabled Judge Comegys to have amasse
d quite handsome fortune. de mas pee
= satisfied, however, to indulge that splri
.. OF nDeldllt1 anu NvANoht AiAA9N-- "A'--
simple competence.
TO his public spirit and tenacity Of pul
70 pose the town of Dover is, in a gres
a. measure, indebted for its public building
~ and other improvements and ornaments
a. tions, which have given 1t the reputatio
~ of being the most beautiful tow
M in the state. and, in fact, one Of u
- most beautiful in the whole country.
'H When he had been about two years
the bar he married Miss Margaret
20 Douglass, lady of the highest ment
I, endowment and most finished name
uu and education, the daughter of the ia
y, Walter Douglass, of Mordington Mil
as as sister of James c. Douglass, late paymi
no ter in the United States navy, and nei
of Hon. John NJ. Clayton, his old la
preceptor. He went at once to reside
an old family mansion on the south 81
OF of the Public square, in Dover, where
zen has continued to live ever since.
They had but three children-Wall
es- Douglass, Harriet Clayton and Cornell
re- of whom Harriet only is living.
te, Expressions on Chief Justice.
in, Among the expressions Of regret a
the esteem following were heard last nil
les, by an EVENING JOURNAL reporter:
kta Henry r. JOhnson--'T regard Oh
Justice Comegys as most estlma
gentleman. The state never had bet
chief justice.
ght Victor B. Woolley-"I regard him
SlS one of the notable legal lights Of
: in history of Delaware. He was man '
hen has Illuminated the bench with his le
rtly knowledge and wise and conservat
her influence"
tie General R. r. kenney-''No chief
tion tice of the state ever filed the posii
ned with greater dignity and honor {
for Chief Justice Comegys. As trial ju
do not think he had superior on
bench In the United States He was
.ide. untiring worker and endeavored to kI
10 all there was to be known about
1888 matter upon which he sat in judgme
rom Speaker Of the Senate Houston.
was aware has lost one of the ablest jul
D at she ever produced. No man was
rect held in higher esteem in the state.
heel. was noted for his high regard
hos the Importance Of the posi-
npu- which he so long and so
filed. There can be no sentiment