The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1897-12-12
JUDGE BUCkAND HIS SUCCESSOR

has ever climbed to dizzy height and
looked down over the edge Of a parapet
has. perhaps. felt an insane impulse or
suggestion of throwing himself over the
edge. The thought comes TO the mind
and one instinctively shivers as he
steps backward, as though he feared
the contemplation of such an act might
impel him to hurl himself downward.
Perhaps some such insane impulse
came suddenly on Judge Buck as he
handled his revolver prior to retiring
and he yielded to it. a few weeks be-
fore he had been visiting his old friends
in this section Of the state, among 9TH
ers Attorney Donnelly of Fort Benton
who had recently attempted suicide
He smoke of this to a number of his
friends here, and his mind seemed to
dwell on it. That might possibly have
been the starting point that led him on
to speculate on suicide till he pointed
the pistol at his own head, and a sud-
den wave of insane emotion coming on
his tired and excited nerves may have
caused him to involuntarily press the
trigger. II is, however. idle TO theorize
on motives and causes. Judge Buck is
dead. His family and friends are
plunged in sorrow. The state has lost
just judge, who can i'll be spared in
these times.-Great Falls Tribune.
His was a kind disposition, and about
the last one that we would expect such
siil dtl bI. Tie WAS young,
fectionate to his family and admired by
ell who knew him. We can figure out
this proposition only: He was a very
nervous man, was worked beyond his
physical endurance, and While in the
act of retiring, discovered the pistol. 1t
was bright. and he picked it up, gaZed
unthoushtedly into the barrel, nerv-
Gus tWitch of the muscle which pulled
the trigger and all was over. We don't
think he thought of suicide until he
looked into the bright barrel-then it
was rresistible.-Jefferson County SEN
tinel.
There are men of as high culture as
Judge Buck. as well born, whose lines
have not been cast III as pleasant
places the victims Of disease as well
as unrequitted toll, who uncomplain-
ingly bear their burdens day by day
without a thought Of putting an end to
an existence which. to say the least, is
unfortunate. Their lives are in strong
contrast with that Judge Buck finished.
They are heroes. Judge Buck was not
cast in heroic mold If he We're sane.
We do not believe he We're responsible
for the deed. If in the full possession
of his faculties he lief. stain upon his
memory.-The Muscular.
1t is the opinion of Helena members
of the bar that no preciptate action is
likely to be taken in the matter of
naming the late Judge Bucks success
sor. In other words the appointment
Will probably not be made by the acting
governor but will await the return of
Governor Smith, who is expected to
choose from the go lawyers who are al
ready said To have made known their
aspirations for the oftice.-llelena Her
aid.
1t was a clear case of mentality I'M
Ilp1g INC 1,NF 7t,p,g- 4
duty and a sense Of responsibility to
the people which is apt to be too rare
in public men of the present day. And
instead of condemnation for the rash
act, the memory of the dead jurist will
endure with the people of Montana as
that of one who sacrificed himself for
what he felt was sacred duty to his
fellow men.-RayalH Republican.
The news of the tragic death of As
sociate Justice Buck. who suicided at
his home in Helena Tuesday. was re-
ceived here while court was in session.
Attorney j. NJ. Mcdonald prefaced his
argument to the jury with a glowing
tribute to the deceased in which he
eXtolled the many excellent traits of
character and eminent abilities of the
dead jurist. The scene was pathetic
Townsend Messenger.
The place left vacant by Judge
Bucks death belongs to the party of
which he was member. 1t cannot be
claimed there are not enough lawyers
in that party from whom TO make a
suitable selection. Under what color of
right or title then can the populists lay
claim to the position left vacant under
such circumstances Butte Miner.
1t is moved by the Anaconda Stand
ard that Governor Smith appoint Mrs.
Ella Knowles Haskell to succeeded the
late Judge Buck, associate justice of
the supreme court, and thus purge
himself Of contempt in the eyes of the
woman suffragsts. We second the mo-
tion.-Fort Benton River Press.
The Butte Inter Mountain suggests
that Governor Smith appoint himself
to the vacancy in the supreme bench,
and thus avoid any further collisions
with the woman sutfragists Lieuten-
ant Governor Spriggs would also regard
this as a very satisfactory appointment.
Great Falls Leader.
Those who We're assocating with
Judge Buck seem to have been prepared
fer some rash act on his part. but the
public and the acqEaintances who had
not been with him of late little dreamed
that he was even bordering on nervous
ollapse.-Quinn's Review.
The governor has TO appoint Justice
Bucks successor. Lieutenant Governor
Spriggs is governor in Governor Smiths
absence. and if he does not make that
appointment he has lost the opportun-
ity Of his life To make friends-and enc
mies-The Missoulian.
That he should he the victim Of his
own rash act. falls with expressing
weight upon the hearts of Montana
people who placed confidence in his in
tegrity and abilty.-Stevensvill Tri-
bune.
Weak, Tired, Nervous