The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1897-11-27
THE BENCH AND BAR.
An Interesting View of the C0terie
Associated with the DiSpcnSation
of Justice in LaCkaWanna County.

The mayors court of Scranton, or
ganized in 1866. went out of existence
upon the adoption of our constitution
of 1874. The last Of the recorders was
Hon. Walsingham G. Ward. Judge
Ward was admitted to the bar of Lu-
Herne county Nov. 10, 1851, and has
been practicing his profession for for
tY-six years. He was born at Dover
Plains, Dutchess county. New York,
Oct. Z, 1928. and Is now "A years old.
He is the oldest practitioner at the
Lackawanna county bar. He read law
with j. NJ. Alexander, esq, and upon
his admission to the bar opened an Of
flee in this city, where he practiced
until his election as recorder of the
mayors court in 1870.
In 1875 he resigned his position and
again entered the practice of his pro-
fession. His life has been q busy one.
He has a kind heart and sympathetic
nature. He is respected and beloved by
all who know him. He is upright, Just
and conscientious. By his wise counsel
and helping hand he has assisted many
young lawyer to fame and fortune.
Remarkable success has atteded him
In the trial of cases. He Is one of the
most successful of civil and criminal
lawyers OF Northeastern Pennsylvania.
He has probably conducted more mur-
der trials than any other lawyer in
this commonwealth. His useful life
and many good deeds form a bright
chapter in the history of our labor.
JUDGE STANTON.
Hon. William Fl. Stanton was elect
ed in 1871 by the Labor Reform party.
an additional law Judge of Luzerne
county He was born in July, 1S43,
and is a native of New York city. He
studied law in the office of Hon. w. G.
Ward, and was admitted to the Luz
zerne bar Nov. TO- 1868. Between the
years 1872 and 1877 Judge Stanton was
elected to several important and honor
able Offices He was district attorney
of the mayors court state senator
congressman and additional law Judge.
He was once editor and proprietor of
the Scranton Times. AS a writer his
style is terse and perspicuous. He en-
Joys a large practice. Fidelity to eli
ents Is his aim and motto.
August 10, 1873, an election was held
for the erection of Lackawanna county
from portion of Luzerne. The divi-
sion was carried by majority of 7 7,G2s
votes. On Aug, p the new county, the
siXty-seVenth in the state, was declared
established by the governors procla-
nation. Hon. Benjamin S. Bently, of
Williamsport, Pa, an appointed judge
organized the courts of Lackawanna
county on Sept 2, 1878, and the ma
chinery of the new county was put in
motion. The appointment of Judge
Bently was made on the ground that
LackaWanna county the moment il
was erected. became, under the provi-
sions of the constitution, a separate
judicial district A mandamus was
issued by the Supreme court, wherein
1t was decided that the constitution
did not execute itself. but that legisla-
tion was necessary, hence the appoint
ment Of Judge Bently was Illegal and
void.
By the provisions of the new county
act Lackawanna county was to re-
main the same judicial district as the
old; hence the judges of Luzerne or
ganized and held the courts. 1t was
on the twenty-fourth day of October
1878, that Hon. Garrick M. Harding,
president judge; Hon. John Handley
and Hon William II. Stanton. addi-
tional law judges of Luzerne county
regularly organized the courts of this
county, in the old Washington hall, at
the corner of Lackawanna and Penn
avenues, in pursuance OF the mandate
OF the Supreme Court. The "Bently
court" and all proceedings thereundeT
We're annulled. BY Act Of Assembly
March iS, 1879, this county was made