The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1894-12-27
JUDGE Riley HONOEED.
The Members of the Halifax Bar Present
Him with a Gold Headed Cane.

HOUSTON, VA, Dec. special esq
terdav was the beginning of HALIFAX
County Court. 30 business oi any I'M
pOrtance was transacted ln court. Inc
most noted event of The day vas the
presentation Of a. fine Eoid-heidel care
10 Judge-elect John W. Riley, OF lne gu
premc Court. by the members of Halifax
bar The court convened promptly at il
O'Clock. and Immediately leave was aa6"
to call a meeting of the bar IN tine court
room which Was granted. Judge william
T. Harksdale was elected chairman 1ni
Robert L. Dciaructte secretary AIl'i
stating the object of the mtcrIhE' thr
chairman requested Mr.. william J.. htiHs-
dale to present the cane. when ne 4ld
as follows:
is almost an hand when Eod WA ho
longer be one OF us, tine bar OF haliiiN,
with one accord, desire to present To- yea
some token of esteem and siucet" aGIA'rd-
ton.
FOR over quarter Of % century you
have been IT'S chiefc-t and most ton-pi,u-
Gus figure. For nearly tW ly gears you
have held the most mportani o.h'r WITH
in the gift Of the people of iialiiaN
How we'll and faithfully YOU nave Iet-
formed the duties OF every trust 'tItttd
i'm YOU il is needless for me 30 speak.
pie.
you have. been called from ua 10 fill
the highest and most honorable position
in the line Of your profession, d position
10 which Virginia has ever called heI
ablest. purest and most Distinguished sons
and when our Legislature -rir'-ei you
by the largest vote cast for any asplIeht
to the exalted post of judge OF orr gu
preme Count. We I'm common VITA every
citizen of old Halifax, felt nat o'l
Virginia had been true 10 hers IL anu
true TO the traditions of her pas
in the contest that preceded your cleo
ton rumors were rife that corporate IN
fiucnce was at work, and that he rul-
wark of the liberties Of our people, pure
and unprejudiced Judiciary. was M danger.
But after the result was declared an
Virginia felt that the man Wnom me
people Of Halifax delights to honof ana
the Bar Of Halifax delights 10 own, Was,
like Caesars wife. above susp.cio1, Ike
the chevalier Baydrd. without fear ana
without reprodth. Nou have been ttll'l
10 a higher and nobler field ot useful
ness. but We part from yc: with relE'-
lance; there is Am element Of saln'sa I'D
il that. like Banquos snost. Will not
down. No more perhaps. viii your voice
be heard in this courthouse, and the
space behind this bar VIII speak eloquent
~ of the familiar figure that is gone We
have this consolation. though, that the
whole State gains what We lose th1t
your success shall be ours, your horn rs
our honOrS. and that i'm SURE 1derint oar
g1eat Commonwealth Attorney We have
gwen Virginia great judge. Now. on
tehalf of the members Of Ha'itaN Bar, l
present you this cane
Judge Riley was taken completely bV
surprise. The members Il the bar IL Vi
purchased the cane and arranged the
whole affair without letting him hnow
anything OF their intention until tnis
morrng.
In accepting the cane ne spoke In rart
as follows:
MIR. Chairman and Members OF the lar:
was never taken more completely Iy
surprise in my life. | have long been
aware OF the kindly feeling existing be-
tween myself and the other memttrs Of
this bar, whom / esteem Is my brethren
In truth and in fact. but / nave lad no
intimation OF your intention TO thus kind
ly manifest your esteem lor ne until tins
morning.
81 appreciate this evidence OF your kind
ness more than words can * 'tss. In
severing my relations with this bar and
court i can but remember ;iLt | am
laying down a trust whch the pan TALLY
and kindness OF my fellow-countyintn