Evening journal., 1893-01-19
AGED JUDGES RETIRED.
Chief Justice Comegys and As
sociate Judge Houston to Rest.
YEARS OF SERVICE TO THE STATE


Both Eminent Jurlsts Started Out From
the Law once OF John M. Clayton.
Represented Their State in Legislature
and ConEress-Judge Houston's Tenure
OF Forty Years.
STAR Correspondence Evening journal.
DOVER, Jan l0.-The General As
sembly has decided to retire Chief JUS
tiee Comegys and Judge Houston, the
honored but indrm jurists who have so
long and honorably served the state
upon the bench They will each receive
an annuity Of $4,000 for the rest Of their
lives.
The Senate and House went into secret
joint session about A o'clock yesterday
afternoon Not only the reporters and
visitors, but the clerks, sergeants at
arms and pages were excluded.
Senator James Williams presided. After
organization the matter was canvassed
from all sides Some of the members
wanted 30 retire them on a small sum and
others upon $4,000 and intermediates
sums
The speeches from the several stand
points were numerous and earnest. They
eliminated in settling the amounts at
$1,000 and referring the matter to the
members constituting the judiciary com
mittees Of the two houses, as follows:
Senators Williams and Pilling, Repre-
sentatives Cooch, Watkins, Kenney,
Harrington and Armstrong.
After celebrating for some time this
committee prepared the framework Of
resolution which will be completed.
offered and adopted tomorrow.
The resolution deplores the necessity
which implies this action Of the General
Assembly; sympathizes with the Judges
In their aiiliction, and extols their vir-
tues and past work, makes them the
offer Of $1,000 each for the rest Of their
lives,
After more discussion the meeting ad-
jouned at o'clock. The lawyers are
very much pleased with the action Of
the General Assembly. It is believed
that the offer will be cheerfully ac-
cepted.
Professional Career OF the Chief Justice.
Hon. Joseph Parsons Comegys was
born at sherbourg, near Dover. Kent
county, on December 20, 1913 His
father was Cornelius Parsons Comegys,
a distinguished Delawarean, who served
as Governor Of his state from 1887 to
$40. The son was educated at Dover
Academy. In May, 1873 he entered the
Office OF his distinguished relative, the
late John NJ Clayton, as a student Of
law. aud after completing his cDurse was
admitted TO the bar Ia 1885 He soon
attained a leg ding rank in bis profession.
In 1912 aud again In 1913 he was elected
a member Of Legislature. In 1861 he
was appointed by that body one Of
committe3 Of three 10 revise the statutes
Of the state. On the death Of John NJ
Clayton. IN November 1856 Mr.
Comegys was appointed by the Governor
TO iill the vacancy In the United States
senate but be held the seat for few
months only as MIR Clayton's term ex-
pired IA March, s57.
On May 8. 1876. Governor Cochran
appointed Mr.. Comegys chief justice of
Delaware There was considerable dis
satisfaction with his appointment
among the Democrats. Though nomi-
nally Democrat, Mr. Comegys having
been originally a Whig, was never able
10 bring himself into very graceful sym
pathy with the Democratic party
Neither could he reconcile himself to the
Republican principles IL was said that
foi several years previous to his appoint
ment TO the be ch he had not even gone
to the polls on election day. His carer
as chief justice, however, amply justi-
fed his selection
tie has presided over the courts Of Del
aware for sixteen years His last ap-
pearance on the bench was in November.
1891, when he sentenced two Philadel-
phia crooks TO long terms Of impris-
onment He was taken sick shortly af-
forwards and has not since been able to
leave his home. BY the bar at large
Judge Comegys has been recognized as
possessing rare knowledge Of the law.
Rarely have his decisions been appealed
from and taken to higher courts The
degree of LII. d was conferred on him by
the University of Pennsylvania in 1856.
Sketch of Associate Judge Houston.
Hon. John Wallace Houston was born
at Concord, Sussex county, May 4. 1914
At an early age he entered Newark
Academy aud afterward studied at Yale
college from which he graduated in 1884
He studied law under Hon. John NJ.
Clayton and In 1887 was admitted to the
bar. In 1871. at the age of q, Cover
nor Cooper appointed him secretary Of
state. He became an ardent supporter Of
the wing party and became one or
its leaders in this state. In 1914 he was
elected to congress and served three
successive terms in that body. In 1851
Mr. Houston retired from politics and
resumed his law practice. On May A.
, 1850 he was elevated to the bench as
associate justice resident in Kent
county, a position which he has since
continuously and meritoriously filed.
who WIN Succeed Themg
This will leave two vacancies on the
, bench for Governor Reynolds to fill, and
the natural and oft-repeated question
now is, "Who will get the wool sackG'
( Several names have been mentioned.
; Hon. A p. Robinson of Georgetown
seems to be most favorably spoken OF
for the chief iusticeship. The names OF
John A. Nicholson, Attorney General
John r. Nicholson and Hon. Charles B
Lore have been spoken of as possible
e successors Of Judge Houston. There /,
one thing certain-that, the vacancies
= once made, they will soon be filled, a.
| the ueeessity ia very praesino