The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1897-02-21

and there were but two or three absentees,
all of whom were unavoidab detaine /.
The menu was all that could be desired,
and the good cheer was discussed amid
almost Doyish gayetv. Between courses the
which, though they may have suggested
to the uninitlated dry and musty tones Of
intricate law, were replete with ceverness
and wit to the understanding of the legal
minds represented al the board. There
was music, too. A string orchestra fur
nished ducet airs whenever it could d is
Germ an opening, but oftener the room
rang with rollicking college songs ami,
never was "He's jolly Good Fellow"
sung with more energy and fervor.
Robert Y. Hayne, the President of the
association, acted as toastmaster. In in
Producing the first speaker he said:
I'VE are met here tonight as lawyers
to do honor TO fellow lawyer, and as
Californians We are proud of Calfor-
MAN.
I" 1t is matter OF congratulation that
we are to have a representative in the
highest councils of the nation. We have
shown the nation that on occasion We can
sink our petty d fferences and there is one
whom we all delight 10 honor. Gentle
men, ask you to drink the health of
Judge Mckenna."
The invitation to drink TO Judge Nc
kenna's sheath was acquiesced in with
enthusiasm. r sing the hosts drank the
toast then appiauded and then cheered
When Judge McKenna rose to speak it
was some moments before they would
cease their ovation to allow him to pro-
coed.
When order was restored, Judge Nc
Kenna said: wendell Phillips said in one
of his Lectures, People should be Judged
by their idols. | should not like to make
even a partial application OF that, nor
would l dare to take it the other
way and regard this occasion as being
rendered to me. And perhaps it is not to
me. Is 1t not rather to my Office Icrles of
No,No! and If so mayI not accept it with
out notifying sense of my unfitnass?
If II Is my office then this is only a cele-
bration in which | am an actor. Yet the
part assigned to me- is most or ateful one,
and | thank you from a heart filled with
emotions which | cannot express.
When | was placed upon the bench
was known professionally to but few of
you and was by many, | fear, regarded as
rather a dangerous experiment. May
not say that that feeling of distrust soon
vanished? Cries of You may.'1 May
not say that whatever may have been the
defects in the decisions of the Circuit
Court 1t was never the result of the I'M
fairness of the Judge? l wish to say that
Il II.
There were some things | did not learn
upon the bench, and for the courtesy and
patience of the bar l have much to be
thankful. The ability of the bar was my
instructor.
Have not even famous decisions had
their beginning at the bar? With every
step in judicial progress from the LAWYERS
intelligence has sprung the idea. How
dependent, therefore, is the bench upon
the bar, and reciprocally how dependent
is the bar upon the bench. Laughter. I
No good bench without good bar; no
good bar without good bench.
III this were more thoroughly under
stood and no word heard which was unfair
to either we would not hear of schemes to
discipline the bench and the bar. No
greater discipline would be needed than
the ambition of the bench to retain the
respect of the bar and of the bar TO main
tain the respect of the bench.
This has been my am bition, and for
this reason / value this testimonial to-
night. l will carry with me to my new
place hope that / will so administer my
duties as to deserve at their expiration
the happiness of like approval"