Frederick citizen., 1895-01-11
JUDGE JOHN VINSON BAN.
QUETED.

QUETED.
Complimentary Tribute to the
Sterling Character and Abilities
of Associate Judge John r. Vim
son, by the Frederick Bar Asso-
citation, Upon His Retirement
from the Bench.
The members of the Bar Association
of this city rendered au elaborate inn
promptu banquet to Hon. Judge Vim
SOD, of Montgomery County, Associ-
ate Judge of the Circuit Court for the
Sixth Judicial District, at the Carlin
House. last Friday night, as an evil
dence of the high esteem in which he
is held by all for his sterling qualities
of mind and heart, and also to COM
memorate his retirement from the
bench, which he has for many years
adorned with so much dignity and
power. Judge Vinson has reached the
extreme age limit allowed by the Con-
stitution of the State of Maryland-70
years-and although a petition was
presented. to the last Legislature by
prominent persons in both Frederick
and Montgomery Counties, for an ex-
tension of his term, that body refused
to pass favorably upon the measure
Everywhere the news of this action
was received with regret, especially as
Judge Vinson is as hale and hearty as
school boy and possessed of every fac
ulty to enable him to administer JUS
tice in the highly creditable manner
which has always been characteristic
of him.
On Thursday afternoon last, a COM
mittee appointed at meeting OF the
Bar Association got together and fig
ured upon a banquent to be given the
next night, Friday, and alter much
difficulty arranged matters satisfactor-
| lily. The committee consisted of
Messrs. g. V. s. Levy, +. j. Nelson
and Glenn III. W0rthlngtOn. Consid-
ering the time in which everything
was prepared, the event from start to
finish was highly delightful and en-
joyable one, as the hour at which ad-
journment was made fittingly proved
Mr.. p. E. Long, the proprietor of
the Hotel, was most efficient caterer
to the varied tastes of the thirty guests
who gathered around the long, well
lighted table, adorned with spotless
lineG, dainty china, beautiful cut and
pOtted flowers and repast fit for the
palates of kings, passed the hours in
mirth, good cheer and saying most
complimentary things, right to the face
OF their honered guest. Handsome
menu cards, as souvenirs, were placed
at each plate, and the outside contain
ed the following inscription:
1.-THE Frederick Bar Association tu
Hon. John Il. Vinson, January Attn,
1885,"
| The president of the Association, f.
j. Nelson, presided and acted as toast
master. After the delicious viands had
been disposed of and the banqueters
fingered over their wine and cigars, the
toasts were proposed and answered.
JODGE NJ Oh Ehh1 SFEECh.
TO Chief Judge James McSherry,
the associate of the retiring judge for a
number of years, was assigned the nom
or Of responding to the toast, "Our
Guest" The following gist of mis- elo-
quent and highly complimentary re-
marks u i'll interest our readers:
Mr.. Chairman and Gentlemen: The
committee has assigned to me most
delicate task. If could speak of the
Judge as [ would speak of the imper-
sonal court, my labor would be less dit
ficult; but standing face to face with
one who has been officially and per-
sonally associated with us and whose
honorable judicial career is about to
end it is no easy undertaking, with
out seeming to be fulsone, to say the
things one would most wish TO utter.
But must not falter, and closing my
eyes to his personal preseuce l am GO
ing to give voice right before him to
the same sentiments that have often
expressed behind his back.
This gathering of the bar is an emf
nently fitting tribute to Judge Vinson,
which is alike richly merited 10y him
and highly creditable to them. The
close and intimate relations which
bind the bench and the bar together
ought ever to be most cordial. The
mission of the Judge aud the associate
is the even-handed administration of
the law. In the great, Ouerous aud
eXacting task the absolute iudepen-
dence Of the advocate should never be
invaded by assumed prerogatives of the
judge and the bonds of the laiter's del
icate and trying functions should be
scrupuiOusly regarded by the former.
Then each in his appropriate sphere,
without encrOachmeut Oh the rights of
the other, will with mutual respect
and becoming Difference, perform his
allotted part in the orderly dispensa-
tion of justice.
For more than thirty. years L have
with just pride noted, that amongst the
distinctive characteristics uf the Fred
erick bar have been its manly inde-
pendence, its high character, its intel
lectuality and its respect for the
judges who have occupied seats upon
the bench; and this assemblage empha-
sises in marked dc gree the truth of
these observations. Iu honorng Judge
VinsOn as you have, you do much cred
it to yourselves. He has been faithful,
honest, upright and considerable judge.
In the words of Shylock, at doth ap-
pear you are worthy judge" To this
l bear most willing testimony, both as
a lawyer who once practiced before
him and as "a judge, who has sat by his
side and shared his judicial labors.