The Wilmington daily Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1890-1902, 1893-02-06
FOURTH edition
TR,DpTE OF RESPECT.


Meeting of the New Castle Bar-Th.,
Take Action on tho Death of the
Late Chief Justice. e...
A meeting of the New Castle County
bar was held last Saturday afternoon
at the Court House, to take action on
tho death OF the Hon. Joseph Z. Com
eggs, late Chief Justice of this State.
On motion OF Ex-Atturney General
John Biggs, United States judge
wales, who was Tor some years asso-
clateu on tho state bench with the late
Chief Justice, was called upon to pre-.
sue. when the meeting was called to
order the following were present.
judges Grubb and Wales. Charles Il.
Lore. W,C.Spruance, benjamin N.slds,
Edward G. Bradford, Lewis q. NaGde-
grit, Willard Salisbury, John Biggs,
iIlghman johnson, William $. ililles,
Peter l.. Cooper, Victor Il. Woolley.
Charles b. Evans, james Holcomb, II.
O.Conrad, Austin Harrington, Judge
BALL. George L. Brown, Nathaniel Davis.
Hugh 9. Browne. Willard Hall Porter,
". >. Prickctt, Frank y. Carpenter. q.
+ ffnDk BlgRs. George W. Lodge. Philip
q. Ghnrchman, George A. Elliot, Levi
9. Bird, samuel A. MacalIister, John
y. RoHnoy, George ii. Bates, Francis
IL. Walker Harry Emmons, lilburne
Chandler, II. II. Ward, Henry G. Turner,
Harvey Whiteman, S. r. Smith Charles
". Smith, G. L. r. Bates, Thomas &.
Frame, Howell S. England. Martin 3.
Bntrls, z: NJ. Curtis, A. L. Sanborn,
Thomas Davis.
a committee was appointed to pre-
pare suitable resolutions, ana after be.
Ing absent few minutes reported,
through its chairman, William c.
Spruahce, the following, which were
unanimously adopted:
Resolved, That the members of the
bar OF this county are deeply sensible
of the loss which they, in common
with all the people Of this State, have
sustained in the death Of the late Chief
Justice Joseph z. Comegys.
Called to the bench after long. ac-
tive and successful career at the bar.
during which no was Justly recognized
as an able advocate, ana n learned,
wsr and sarn counsellor, his appoint
mcht was received with universal up
proval.
During the whole period Of his SER
vlce as Chiei Justice, until weakened
by aSe and stricken by disease he per-
formed all the duties OF his high office
conscienti0usly. faithfully and ably,
and fully realized tho antlcipa tons OF
his most sanguine friends.
His practical knowledge of business,
genera Information, wide and varied
experience Mt the bar, great knowledge
and love of the law, familiarity with
the practice of the courts, sound mud
mature Judgment, love Of eyen.handed
Justice, honorable clIaracrcr. and great
courage and Industry, have left deep
ana abiding impression upon the Judi.
cinl history of this state.
Presiding in the courts with marked
diEnltv.>ile was none tho less patient
listener, and courteous, considrrate
and impartial in his bearing toward
the bar
lie has left behind him tho example
Of n pure, useful and honorable lie,
anu a memory which Will .long be
cherished. with respect and affection by
his associates upon the bench, and he
Trotcssion of which he was distin-
tiEguishpd memier.
Resolved, That COPY of those
resolutions be transmitted to tho
iUmily of tho deceased, with the as
surance nt our sincere sympathy, and
TINT a committee DO appointed by the
clair to present the same to the courts
OF this state, and OF the United States
Tor tins district, with the request that
they be entered upon the records.
In presenting the report. Mr..
Spruanca spoke eloguently OF tho de
r"GsCd. ANA gave brief sketch OF his
life Continuing. he spoke .of the
time when he represented this State in
the United States Senntc, and said:
But II WAS to tho study and prac-
ticc nf tho law that he devoted his
Drst tueIales, and 10 u lawyer was
generally known to the people Of tho
state until he became CHIEF JSstlce.
For hany years he had tho most
desirable practice III Kent County. and
was frequently engaged in i'm Important
cases in Other counties. For many
years he was my fathers personal
aud political friend and counsel, and
hoard amt saw much OF him during
my boyhoUd days.
My own Intimate friendship with
Him which remained unbroken until
his dcnth-hoSnn when ! commenced
my law studies in his office ia the iall
of 1872. lie was then 80 years old, in
the iGli Yigor OF manhood, ana eugaa.
OF i'll the practice of lazy with great
Industry aud success, and enjoyed the
confidence and patronage OF largo
portion OF the best people Of tl!e coU1I-
ty. All that time he did al his WORK
without all OF any kind una neyar
was there moro thorough. accurate,
conscientious and reliable counsellor.
lilo then tried his cases we'll and with
addsd yeas and experience lie became
and was recognized as ono OF tho
ahlo5t ard most successful advocates
In the State"
hr. Spruanea then spoke of his clio
Walton to the bench rs Chief Justice
AMI OF tho fact thuL no had previously
declined the appointment OF associate
judge. lie elso saiG that Il WIS n
tribute to his ability that tho appo. mt.
ment OF Chief Justice came to him
from Il Democratic 60 ernur, although
the deceased had nevNr been known to
vote the Democratic ticket He faith.
fully performed all tho duties incl. m.
bent upon hima administered strict
and Impartial Justice
he was impressive in aspect, con.
sdornte and Impartial In his treatment
OF members of tho bar, and Il patient
listener. lie had no erratic Deriot,
nor did no waste tlmo. His charge TO
1u ~ was ever ready when the time
came, and IL was always expressed In
terse and forcible English. IIe was
honorable and faithful TO all duties in
cvory sphere Of life and | shall ways
chti lsil his memory with respect and
affection.
l'chIdlnlll NlftuS WIS the next speak
or, and also paid glowing tribute to
tho ability and many virtues OF the dc.
ceased, and III closing sa.,l:
lie knew the practice Of the law
and no knew how to apply it. lie pre-.
sided III thr trials OF causes with great
dignity aud courtesy. kindness and
patience. lie was prompt to render
his decisions. While he has been gath.
cred IN Hike ripe shock OF corn and
gone from among us, his wurks-the
realities of his life remain as lncmen.
toes of JUSTICE
Levi q. Bird followed, and smoke in