The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-12
TIE BENCH TO BARRlSTERS.
Judges GOn, SimlntOn AID BraWley Be-
fore the City Bar Association.
FORMERS TRIBUTE TO YlRClSlANS.
No Land or age Has Produced Greater
Jurists Than HAS Virginia. He Says.
Rem ,rks u, Judges Ssinaonton and
Ernwlcs- Gen. Johnston i"iks'


very animated picture. The occasion
was tho annual social gathering of the
Richmond Bar Association. The affair
was entirely Informal and was hugely en-
joycd by AN who were present. 1t was
after . O'Clock when Mr. Roosevelt Page
the vlcc-prcsidcnt OF the association cali
cd the gathering to order in the large re-
ccptlon room.
lie stated that President Il. b. Mu1ford
was prevented by sickness from being
present and that therefore the duty had
devolycd upon him TO open the exercises.
While 10 had been disappointing that
Chief Justice Fuller had been prevented
from being present hy "a pressure of bust
ness. as stated by him in a letter address
Cd 10 the committee. yet he was glad TO
say that they had I'm their midst. gem
tleman. who. while not "a successor Of
Chief Justice John Marshall, yet might
become successor OF the great Attorney
General John Work. While the bar Of
this circuit would be proud of such a pro-
motion yet no the same time they would
regret 20 lose his services as judge Of the
circuit
JUDGE GOFFS ADDRESS.
Judge Nathan Con. who in this manner
was introduced TO the assemblace was
loudly chcered. when he arose In his seat
90 deliver one Of his most happy address
e. lie spoke in substance as follows:
Gentlemen of the bench and bar. an
profoundly grateful for this royal recep-
tiOn which YOU have given me. / at this
time on my own VOlitiOn determine a de-
cree ana there Is no appeal from this
court. that / Will be worthy Of the re-
ceptiou YOU have given me and ! hope
that l may be able TO retain The conf
dence and high esteem which you have
rendered me But Mr. Chairman. there
IL a mistake here however. don't blanc
you with your innocence daughter and
your proverbial smile which Is always
childlike and 1 could not hold YOU respon-
sible 0auRhteD. When l accepted the
invitation 10 come here. IL was distinctly
understood that ! was TO see YOU and not
20 talk
IL Is almost outrageous 10 hold any Of
us responsible for the current rumors and
newspaper statements that have made
their appearance during the past You
should not Zoe reported AT an. and n YOU
write your reports yourself your friends
Will always place a construction on them
20 suit themselves. Tho invitation sent
20 be 10 West virginia. which have re-
oeivcd. since l have been here. gave me
and that from the rumors and newspa-
per statements the committee and the
bar had been led 90 believe that they
were 10 lose me. But by similar state
inents / see that am not going to be lost.
and that / an. not COINS TO lose the
circuit.
LOOK WISE AND SAY NOTHING.
There is another reason why / should
not talk. Judges should not speak in
public on the stage, that ought TO be
absolutely true. and yet. / might con-
tinue my talk But j rise TO say that |
beg TO he excused from talking. I al
ways dread TO try to say. nothing for l
might accidentally say t-siethng. II /
am 10 observe the admoniton laid upon
one 10 look wise and say nothing. ] find
it is as hard to look wise as it is easy to
say nothing.
1 feel under many obligations 20 YOU for
the kind manner in which YOU have re-
ceived me every time / have been among
YOU. j come 20 YOU with my heart fun Of
love FOR Virginia and for Nirginia's his
tory. and with profound respect for Viz
giuia iurists. ] am "a Nirginian myself. al
though born ON the other side of the
mountain. Ina my early youth ] studied
Nlreinias history. but subsequent events
separated us 1 saw my duties I'm other
lines than YOU did but after we together
had mourned for vacant chairs We
should now move forward together and
join hands as citizens of different States,
but Of a great republic that Is The Won
der Of civilization.
Virginia has many names dear TO juris-
prudence. and right here is one. the
grandest of the grand. the hero Of the
heroes. one who was the grandcst gift Of
man. whose glorious record is slammed
on every page OF American history-John
Marshall. There is also the eloquent
Henry. and all along from those days
down 20 this I could mention them. men
like Tucker Lomax. Lee. Moncurc
While other localities claim that they
can equal these names. l assert that no
age. no land. no CLINE has ever cxcclled
them from that day that God said let
there be light. and there was light
JUDGE BRAWLEE.
Judge William Brawley. of South Car
olina. a member Of the United states
Circuit Court Of Appeals. was next intro
duced by Mr. Page
II came here he said. like many
others to hear Judge Goff make some
declaration Of his intentions hut / thh-
he IS conscious that this is not the right
place. but that ne should do so only
before the head of the Department OF
State. for he has shown during the past
few weeks a very high degree Of diplom-
acy. The only thing that he really did
say was that the court OF the jefferson
Hotel would make a fine bicycle rink
"Thc fact I'm the mettcr is that another
higher ambition has filled the soul OF our
associate. who Will accept no place ex-
ccpt the highest. and who is now pre-
pairing 10 become the candidate OF the
wheelmcn OF America for the Presidency
OF the United States J doubt not that
in the meantime I'm some Of the States.
~ least. women will be allowed 10 vote.
and that In that case his election is as
sured
cannot tell YOU how rejoice meeting
YOU here tonight. FOR 10 has never been
my privilege 10 meet so many distinguish
81 lawyers in one place. Richmond Is
very dear 20 me. forI have associations /
going back many years. when / was IN /
and near the city. Many months l spent |
IN an hospital where the tender care OF |
Virginia women made an impression upon !
me that lasts 30 long as life lasts. /
am glad 10 meet the members OF this /
bar who have Inherited the great ira /
ditions Of their f0refathers and. so far as |
7 know. are worthy OF their sires II Is
glorious heritage 20 be "a Virginiap |
but Il also imposes great responsibility
NO LONGER LEADERS
There has been TO some ov-
tent an abstension from those
political responsibilities resting es-
peciaNV on members OF the bor
In former days the leaders Of pullic