The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1893-01-14
FAREWELL TOTHE BENCH
Judge Werts Presides in
Court for the Last
Time.
FITTING OBSERVANCE OF THE OCCASION
The Judges, officers and Attaches
Present Him With a Costly
Jardiniere.

An elegant jarainiere of Hungarian
Faience, standing three feet high. was
presented Ito Judge George L. Werts
tod ay by his associate Judges, the coun-
ty officials aud court attaches. The pres
entation was given as n token OF the
high esteem the doners have for the
Judge, and ms memento to take with
him from the Supreme Court Bench TO
Executive Chair at the Capitol OF the
State.
Elegant in workmanship, chaste in de-
sign, the vase is an ornament that would
adorn the parlor OF any house. 1t is hand
carved ana was made by Fisher OF buda-
Pesth 1t is in three sections. aud there
is but one like it in this country. Inc
vase contained about bushel OF cnt
fl overs taslefnlIy arranged, and while
Judge Werts was in his chambers. lt was
removed from jury room aud placed on
table in the Sessions Court room.
District Attorney Winfield then invited
the Judge TO enter the Court room. saying
that some gentleman wanted to see the
entire Court. Judge Werts and Judges
Lippincott, Hoffman and Kenny followed
Mr.. Winfield, aud occupied their accus-
toned seats. Judge Werts looked at the
beautiful Jarainiere and flowers and
smiled 1t was not until then that he had
an inkling of what the Court officials
were about to DO.
MR.. wINFIELD's ELoQUENCE.
Prosecutor Winfield glanced around
the room and saw in 1t. Courtlandt Par
Ker, ex- Mayor Traphagen. Corporation
Attorney Minturn, of Hoboken; Corpora
tion Counsel Edwards. john z. besson.
Assem- blymen Salinger aud Zeiler, Judge
McGrath, Judge Puster, Counsellor Ken
S-
sioner Feeney, Congrcssman-el elect Fielder,
John Nugent. Frederick Pressler,
Maurce Stack, John Heavy and all the
clerks and court constables. Then Mr..
"May it please the Court-Judge Werts,
have been deputzed by the court offl-
cials to make this presentation to you at
the departure from your duties here
When you came to preside in this court
last year you were comparatively q
stranger to us, but you were hailed and it
did not take long for the people to en-
dOrse your greeting, and now the accia-
nation is fading away in sad farewell.
"1here is beautiful German story
told on canvas. A mother lost her child,
and wepr over her bereavement. An
angel came.to the mother and told her
not to shed tears, because all of them
fell into pitcher hich the chlld was
compelled to carry and it made her bur-
den greater. This vase is not filed with
tears but with flowers which
were grown in Hudson County.
They will wither away. but
the affection and good Will which
now accompany will not die. AS you
90 on from one height to another, TO
which the people call you, it will ever be
with the esteem OF the people OF hudson
Conaty."
JUDGE WERTs REPLIES.
The Judge looked much affected by the
remarks of the Prosecutor, and resting
hi. eyes for a moment on the token of af-
fection. he said:-
"Tbis is great surprise to me- 1t is
appreciated beyond measure and
expression. came among you
almost a stranger, but 1 have formed
many attachments here since coming,
and these friendships will endure. Com
ing among you as did With
great apprehension Of my ability
to perform the duties. as far as l
could have endeavored to perform them
to the best of my ability. Further than
this do not know what to say, except
that | appreciate this surprise beyond
measure"
The udge remained a few minutes on
the bench after his speech and then
retired to his private room, where those
who desired to say goodbye did so before
he left for Chancery Chambers.
The vase was purchased by Coprt In
spector Prsssler and Court Stenographer
Nugent, who were appointed co mmittee
tor the purpose. After Judge Werts left
the Court House they sent the present to
MIA home