The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1893-03-25

4 GOOD JUDGE.

A GOOD JUDGE.
IN the death of Hon. Matthew p.
Deadly, who expired at Portland yesterday
morning. the Pacific coast loses sound
jurist and an admirable citizen. Judge
Deadly was appointed United States judge
for Oregon by President Buchanan in
1859; the last congress passed an act for
his retirement, but reposeful death has
claimed him for its own.
Judge Deadly had given thirty-four years
Of his life TO tho ardious and responsible
labors Of the Federal bench. He was an
absolutely self-made man, who by the
robust strength of his native intellectual
endowments and his unwearied industry
rose TO high distinction in his profession.
It il safe to say that As sound jurist,
measured by the native legal quality
Of his mind and his acquired learn
ing, Judge Deadly had no superior, If
he had an equal. in his district.
and of the California judges none have
stood higher save. perhaps, the late Judge
Sawyer. Before his elevation to the Fed
eral bench Judge Deadly bore an important
part IN the framing Of the constitution of
Oregon, and from the first to the last of
his honorable career, Judge Deadly was q
foremost man In every movement that
makes for the peace, security, good order
and civilization Of state. Working all
his days for q very moderate salary. no
was never diverted by the popular craze
for wealth from tho ardent pursuit of
knowledge. He loved good books and
sound learning. and was the friend of pub
lie education at all times. His own early
advantages were small; no was the child
OF the common school, but his natural
thirst for reading and his studious habits
had made him an exceedingly well in.
formed man in the political and social his.
tory Of both Europe and his own country.
He was foremost in securing the founda-
ton Of Portland excellent city library:
he lent his influence to the organization
OF lecture associations at an early day;
he enjoyed the theater. and altogether the
influence Of Judge Deadly - citizen was
exceedingly valuable in the young days Of
. growing state when the necessities of the
situation keep the mass OF its people too
busy with the work of bread winning to
pay much attention to higher education.
Judge Deadly did not pretend to be .
scholar In tho university sense of the
word. for he was battling with his strong
hands with the world at time when men
who become scholars are giving all their
leisure to the study of books: nevertheless
he was something better than many
scholars, he was . man of strong native
powers Of intellect who respected high
scholarship and fine culture, and never
was weary OF charging for others the
liberal opportunities that il was not his
youthful fortune to enjoy; he had the ma
tive thirst for knowledge: the irrepressible
native taste and love for sound literature
that always marks q superior mind. He
was clear. forcible and correct writer:
his legal studies had given him command
of excellent English. and his own reading
of English literature had been extensive
for man whose time had always been
In his professional studies.
He had come of tho faults of character
and intrmities of temper that are incident
10 the early environment Of q self-made
strong man struggling his upward way
without the immense advantage of attri-
ton with many other minds of kindred
tastes and predictions. He was not
without a certain imperiousness: a Ger.
tain intolerance at times when early pre-
JUDGES seemed TO narrow the range of his
naturally broad and robust mind, but take
him all in all his general demeanor and
action both as judge and citizen was
little open 20 serious criticism from candid
minds. In al the great essentials of fine
citizenship Judge Deadly IN his prime did
his duty maniuliy we'll: lie spoke ont
fearlessiy in denunciation of lynch law At
al tunes, and he made no cowardly ex.
cepiions; he as sternly denounced the
lynohing of Cinnamon rs he did the law.
less persecution of iriendsess and he.u,ess
Caucasians; he respected his profession:
respected ;he bench. and he was fearless
and upright expounder OF justice.
OF course We do not expect 10 find
venality on the bench, but We do no. Al
ways find what Judge Deadly exhibited.
wis.,, moral courage. There are no. a few
judges who. while they would shun a
bribe, arc not entirely fearless nor above
sinking responsibility whose discharges
promises to make them unpopular. OF
course in theory no Judge should be
swayed by private ambition. but in prac-
tiee tho bench. like the pulpit. is some
times weaker than is hiehes; moral honor
and wisdom. How many Of US appreciate
what precious boon 70 state is . Just,
uprigh: and able Judge. who is ST once a
man of purity. hum anisy. imparsiality and
capacity. He has the whoie harmony and
safety Of society in his hands: If he were
seriously dis:rrs,ed anarchy would soon
succeed TO the authority OF law. peace and
order. 4 thoroughly bad man. of course,
No matter aov vigorous his intellect, would
no. be Ct tor judge. and more than that,
many thoroughly good and intelligent men
are rot 1T for judges. 50 exceptional are
the gifts oi power Of analysis, comparison
anu discrimination tA;caga which Judges
are Obliged 20 s.lt ana weigh evidence.
How rare man. how precious 8 citizen
y great Judge whose ans sense oil 1iSh,