Custer weekly chronicle. [volume] (Custer City, S.D.) 1890-1931, 1897-10-30
JUDGE GARDNER noNoaED.
The Custer County Bar Presents Reso-
lutions Commendatory of
the Judge.

The Custer County Bar Presents Reso-
lutions Commendatory Of
the Judge.
Our circuit court. after q long and
busy session, closed on the 18th inst.
The last matters engaging the courts
attention were the sentencing OF prison
ere and cleaning up Of the business of
the term. AS usual on such occasions
when parties convicted of high crimes
are to be sentenced and pleas to be
made in their behalf, large concourse
of citizens filled the court house to over
flowing. Immediately before court was
announced to be in session, w. G. Por-
ter, leading member Of the bar, arose
to a question Of privilege and in an
impromptu and informal manner pre-
sented the following resolutions, and in
Offering the same, Mr.. Porter said:
MAY it please your honor; would
now arise to question of privilege, and
on behalf Of the bar of Custer wish to
present you with certain resolutions
that have been Unanimously adopted by
the bar Of this county, and before read
ing them | crave your indulgence to
briefly preface with q few remarks.
"some six years ago, your honor was
called by appointment to preside over
this court. Two years later you were
elected by handsome majority to be
our judge for four years, and Custer
county claims the distinction of con-
tributing in no small degree to your
election. AT this time. as your term Of
office which has been so successful and
SO satisfactory to the people, not only of
our county but Of the whole circuit, is
about to terminate, desire to say that
it is with deep feelings and sense ofap-
probation Of your uniform fairness as a
judge in all cases to the bar and litgents,
and the people Of this county and city
that we present these resolutions.
Many Of the bar of our county, it
might be said, were new in experience
in the profession, while others had a
large experience in the trial of cases
and in the presentation of cause. before
the court and jury.
Il wish to say that since your honor
has taken the bench with the uniform
recognition with which you have treated
the members of our own bar, we feel
that we are able to cope with lawyers
from larger cities, from the distant por-
tions of our state, and are capable of
making a showing in the trial Of cases
that is satisfactory in the highest degree
to the people Of our county. and we
think we are not saying too much when
we say that your honor has been in the
highest degree fair to us as we'll as to
Counsel -wha- -aayA essn.s- -fsasa. .Ahe sii.a. ss-
judge, to hear courteously, to answer
wisely, to consider sobery and to decide
impartially." These qualities you have
in an eminent degree possessed, and
they haye characterized your acts at all
times. Your career as a judge has shed
luster upon our profession and your
distinguished services so well performed,
can never be forgotten so long as loving
memories survive. In our hearts your
name will be ever cherished. Your
honor has been called upon during your
term of Office to pass upon many i'm
portant cases, and l have to say on be-
half of the bar they were satisfactory
almost universally, not only to the bar,
5u: 70 the li.igants and the people of
onr county. Your decisions and con.
duet of trials have been such that it not
only reflects great credit upon yourself,
but upon the bar Of this county. Now.
on behalf of the bar l am requested to
read certain resolutions which have
been unanimously adopted" Gap
plause.)
Whereas. the last day of the Septem
Der adjourned term, 1897, of the circuit
court, seventh judicial circuit, State of
South Dakota, has arrived, and the same
is the last term that will be held and
presided over by the Honorable William
Gardner, our esteemed Judge, and
whereas the bar Of Custer county is
desirous Of attesting and fitly presenting
its appreciation of our worthy Judge al
this tims, therefore be It resolved, that
the uniform fairness, eminent ability
| and high legal acumen that have ALWAYS
governed, controlled and actuated our
judge. merit our highest esteem, un-
qualified approval and heartfelt indorse-
ment; further, that the bar as we'll as
the litigants of Custer county. feel and
acknowledge that in the termination OF
Office of our respected Judge, we. for the
time being, in an official capacity, lose
an able jurist and upright judge; further.
that we hope and trust that our beloved
Judge will be called to fill positions
higher and in keeping with his eminent
ability, profound eruii,ion. and scholas,
tis attainments; further, that these reso
lutions, voluntary and unsolicited, be
spread upon the minutes of this court as
an enduring and lasting reminder of the
worth and high esteem in which the
Honorable William Gardner. who has
so ably and courteously presided over
our courts, is held in the memories and
tender recollections of the bar and the
litigants and the people of our whole
| county. Signed by the entire bar of
N'"S'eA eou"ty' tAppiuuscJ
In response to which the Judge said (:
Gentlemen of the bar of Custer coun-
ty: most humbly beg your pardon for
the breach Of judicial decorum in thus
arising to address you. This wholly
unexpected pleasure which has come to
me tonight, the last night ever expect
to preside over the circuit court of the
Seventh judicial circuit within and for
Custer county has, want to assure you.
moved me very deeply. 1t is with pro-
found appreciation that I receive this
tribute of esteem from the distinguished
body OF gentlemen who have thus
hororcd me, the bar of Custer county,
who, during these busy years that /
have been upon this bench. never failed
in their friendship. (Applause.) I
came to this bench q little more than .
boy. In the language of DR.. johnson. I
have some times thought since, boy that