The Athena press. [volume] (Athena, Umatilla County, Or.) 18??-1942, 1895-10-04
n IS NOW JUDGE LOWELL.
James A. Fee Resigns His Position on
the District Bench.

| Ill w 90 tn0OO tll0
forenoon which caused intense sur
prise and regret to the friends of
Judge James A. Fee, of the circuit
court of Oregon for this district
says the East Oregonian. 1t was
that he resigned his office for judge
and intended to retire from the
bench to enter tt field again as a
practitioner in the courts. Only
few of his more intimate friends
had been apprised Of his intentions,
The ereport spread over the town
and the news was the one topic
which was discussed by everyone.
Judge Fee had said. prior to the
last election, that he hesitated
about allowing his name again to
be used as candidate, but finally
decided to run. AS was expected,
he was reelected, and took the
bench, supposedly for another six
years term. But, for private bust
ness reasons, he has come to the
conclusion that he prefers to re-
tire from the bench, and his writ
ten resignation was therefore made
to the governor. Possessing, as he
does, the implicit confidence of
every citizen of Eastern Oregon
who has ever come in contact with
him in private or public relation,
his resignation caused intense re-
gret. His occupancy of the bench
has been marked with that high
sense of honor which is a perpetual
warrant the judicial system will be
kept pure and untainted. He re-
tires with a record which will al
ways be of value to him in future
years.
A SUCCESSOR NOMINATED.
AS soon as the announcement
was made public, delegation Of
attorneys called on Stephen "A.
Lowell and urged him to allow his
name to be forwarded to Governor
Lord as a candidate for appoint
ment to succeed Judge Fee, and it
soon looked like "Judge Lowell'
now, The manner in which the
proposal to nominate Mr.. Lowell
was received must certainly be
gratifying to the gentleman. Every
member of the bar in the city was
warm in support for him for the
position, and dozens Of prominent
citizens volunteered to sign petit
tions to the governor. Tt was not
doubted that Mr. Lowell would be
Judge Fees successor.
4 Judge Fees resignation was to.
take effect Immediately. The en-
dorsement of the entire legal prof
ession of Pendleton and all the
county officers, as well as of repre-
sentative business men was wired
by Judge Lowell's friends, and sew
eral dozen letters were handed in
for transmission to Salem. Gov
ernor Lord acted promptly in the
matter, for at 1:45 this afternoon,
Judge Lowell was in receipt of
telegram from Governor Lord say
ing that he had been appointed
and that he would forward the
commission by mail, This will arr
rive on tomorrow or Thursday
morning, and Judge Lowell will
| proceed to the court house to be
sworn in by County Clerk Bur-
roughs. The appointment, under
Oregon law, is effected by the COM
ing general state election, which
will be nine months hence.
During the afternoon, there has
been steady stream of callers at
the law office Of HALEY, Lowell Il
Butler, and congratulations extend
ed to Judge Lowell have come from
| professional and business men and
people of all classes.
Judge Lowell was interviewed by
the East Oregonian. The judge
was Ia smiling mood and grace
fully accepted the compliments of
the occasion. In speaking of the
appointment, he said:
II do not hesitate to say that the
honor conferred on me by the gov
enor is highly appreciated, Every
one would have preferred that Judge
Fee remain on the bench. He is
eminently fitted for a judicial posi-
ton and has honored the courts Of
the state by his attitude on all oc-
casions.
''The warm support given me by
members of my profession and by
my other friends has given me deep
| pleasure. desire to acknowledge
it through your paper"