The news & observer., 1897-02-26
TIE LATE JUDGE SEYMOUR
REVOLUTIONS OF RESPECT PAS
SGD BY THE BAR.
Juge Simonton's Eloquent Tribute 20
the Memory of His DEAD
Colleague.


r,;+a.a onrs,intpd to draft resolutions
,,,,c the death of the late Judge Sey-
mo,r TTpon motion the reading of the
mi,utes of the previous meeting was dis
re,sed with, and Judge James q. Mac
RE. in graceful language, presented the
following memorial and resolutions
TN the death of Augustus 5. Seymour,
An, State of North Carolina has lost a
faithful and honored citizen, and the
Ebu~th Judicial district mourns the loss
of a learned, capable and courteous judge,
an honor to the bench and an ornament
TO the profession.
s'Augustus s. Seymour was born In
ithaca, New York, on the Both of Noyem-
bar, 1857, and was admitted to the bar
f New York in 1858. He at first located
in New York city, but did not remain
bng in the metropolis.
During the year 1864 he located at
Newbern, n. c., and Immediately upon
the termination of the war engag ged regu-
arly i'm the practice of his profession at
1hat place. He was a Republican member
Of the House of Representative in 1868,
and 1870, and in 1872 was the Sena-
tor from Craven. His course as a mem
ber Of the Legislature In those troublous
times was such that his integrity was
Iever called in question.
''In 1874 he was elected a judge OF the
Superior Court of North Carolina, and
Tor seven years rode the circuits of this
State. In this position his judicial ac-
quirements speedily became known and
recognized by the profession and the peo-
pie in all parts Of North Carolina He
was impartial, patient and attentive and
was familiar with the decisions OF the
tribunals of his adopted State. When
upon the death Of Judge Brooks, in 1SS2,
his name WAS presented to President Ar
thur as a suitable person to receive the
appointment of Judge of the United
States District Court he had the support,
rot only of most of his political asSod-
ateS but also of almost the entire bar
of the Eastern district. During his tif-
teen years of service as United States
Judge for the Eastern District OF North
Carolina, he continued to grow IN the
esteem and regard of the profession and
of the people. His uniform courtesy,
impar.fiaIity and regard for the feelings
OF others, gave him AN especial claim to
the affections of hrs brethren, while his
store of learning, his clearness Of conrpre-
hension, the strong logical expression OF
his views, and his scholastic attaimnents
made him popular and acceptable
judge
"In his service upon the Circuit Court of
Appeals. he was Of great assistance, and
his opinions were held by them an high
esteem. He digested many volumes of
the North Carolina Reports, and his
books have been of great use to the pro-
fession. He was always a loyal North
fCarolinian.
'sOn the 10Th Of February, 1897 after
a painful illness he passed from his sor-
rowing friends and family to his eternal
reward.
EFT fitting that the Bar of the Eastern
District. by whom he was loved and hon
,ored, should place upon record their trlb-
ute to his memory; therefore, be it
"Resolved, That in his death the United
States judiciary has lost an eminent,
learned and upright member, the State
has been deprived of a useful citizen and
the bar has been bereaved of one OF ITS
most prominent members.
Resolved That our tenderest sympa-
fhies are rendered to the stricken widow
and to his bereaved son and daughter.
Resolved, That the Attorney of the
United States be requested to present
this memorial to the Circuit Cinrt of
the United States, now in session, with
the request that it be spread upon the
minutes of the Court, and that q copy be
furnished to the family, and to the daily
papers Of the city Of Raleigh for pubhca-
ton"
These resolutions are signed by James
Il. Shepherd. chairman, Daniel j.. Rus
sell, F'abins II. Busbee. Joseph b. Batch
elor, w. D. Pruden. G. A. Cook, @. b.
Aycock, james c. AaeRae, committee,
and IT. Il. Womack, secretary.
ELOQUENT and touching speeches were
then made by r. III. Battle, Esq,, and
r. H. Busbee, Esq, whereupon the reso-
lutions were unanimously adopted
Under the directions contained in the
resolutions, during the afternoon session
of the court, District Attorney Charles b.
Aycok presented the memorial and reso-
buttons to the court, which were ordered
to be spread upon the minutes.
In making the order, Judge SiInoaaton
.saSI:
..'afr. Attorney and Gentlemen Of the Bar:
~ concur wirI fall heart in the sem
himants expressed, and so well expressed.
I'm the resolutions you have adopted upon
the death of Judge Seymour Although
our acquaintance was comparatively OF
centsdate, / enjoyed frequent colnmuni-
saf.3n awith him ia person ana by cores
pondenoe. our relations became intimate
and learned to know and to admire him.
We have been together on the circuit, and
have sat together in the Appellate court.
HE was an excellent lawyer, learned
and accurate He listened patiently and
impaaially to every argument presented
to him. He examined his authorities
carefully and conscientiousay His judg-
ment was calm and clear. His eonclu-
sions were sound and courageous. A
cultivated gentleman. of a1Ihiable tenn
per and attractive modesty, ne made
judge OF the first order. His death Is
severe affIiotion. His loss will be felt not
only by the district, over which he presld-
ed so long and so faithfully, but by the
whole circuit which is deprived OF has
services in the Circuit Court Of Appeals
=. The resolutions adopted by the Bar
concurred in by the Bench, will be
read upon the minutes of the court.
be clerk viii send a copy Of them, under
seal Of the court. to the widow of our
ceased brother and friend, with assur-
ees Of the profound sympathy Of all US