The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1893-11-23

had a most accurate memory for
"cases.n Many time nave l
been astonished during the rush OF a
trial "nisi" at the lucidity with which
Judge Hancock would enunciate
q principle of law suddenly called for
by the occasion, and at the accuracy
with which Judge West would at
once cite the court without any APP
parent effort of memory to a case,
giving page and volume, where that
view of the law was upheld.
Judge Hancock was not an ornate
orator. His speeches. elected no smiles
and but little applause. But whether
on the stump, in the court room or in
Legislative halls, he captivated his
hearers and held their concentrated
attention. He never lost sight OF the
main issue, and hammered at 1t with
sledge hammer blows.
He Was man of strong convictions,
and fought for them whether they
happened to be popular for the tin g
being or not.
That is what made John Hancock a
strong man in his land.
Thanking the court for the time
vouchsafed me, L now have
the honor to present to
YOU the resolutions OF the
har of Austin commemorative of his
death. and respectfully move, on be-
half of my associates end myself,
that they be entered of record.
Respectfully Submitted,
WILLIAM +. NORTH.
The resolutions were sometime
since published in these columns.
At the conclusion of Mr.. North's re-
marks Judge Stayton made response
on behalf OF the court as follows:
OF the many eminent men who
composed the bar of this court when
deceased became a member but few
survive; and it is sad thought that
in few years none will be left OF
those who so much contributed to the
system of laws under which we live,
and to the simple yet effective modes
of procedure we now have.
The bar and courts of this day can
perform no more appropriate service
than to place in enduring form some
memorial OF the esteem in which they
were held while living,
John Hancock here began his pro-
fessional career when the splendid
galaxy, drawn from the bars of the
older states, was at the zenith of it's
DOW Or and influence, and from the be-
ginning to the close of that career no
one was more highly esteemed by pro-
fessional brethren.
The resolutions and address now
prest n ed are but just tributes to the
memory of the distinguished citizen,
lawyer and Judge; but from the many
qualities that secured to him the ad-
miration and esteem of all who knew
him, it would be difficult to point out
those which, more than others, gave
and entitled him to that pre-eminence
he 30 long maintained.
His intellectual powers were of q
high order, his style of argument
clear, strong and persuasive, his en-
ergy and industry indomitable, and
his moral courage and devotion to
duty unfaltering.
In the midst of great popular ex-
element he was ever calm and fear
less, and no merely selfish considera'
tion was ever sufficient to warp his
Judgment or so fetter his will as to
induce him to advocate measure
which his conscience and judgment
in calmer moments would have dis
approved. The worth of a man thus
endowed cannot be measured, and
his loss to the profession and the state
can never be fully estimated. His
surviving family have our deepest
sympathy, and that a memorial OF
the worth of our deceased brother
may exist, after all who knew him
have passed away, the resolutions
and other proceedings will be spread
upon the minutes of this court.