The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1898-01-04
he was knocked down, to get his hat,
the highwaymen were walking leisure
ly up the street.
FOUR DEAD LAWYERS
Are Remembered by the Ramsey
County Bar.

County Bar.
The Bar association met yesterday
afternoon in Court Room No. to take
action regarding the deceased members
of the bar who have died during the
past year, towit, S. J. r. Mcmillan.
William A. Spencer, Frank M. Hopkins
and Lyman S. Cotton. All the Judges
were present save Judge Kelly.
The various committees appointed
some weeks ago to procure appropriate
resolutions submitted memorials to the
court In each case. which were ordered
transcribed on the minutes Of the
court. Short addresses were also de-
Ilvered by Charles E. Flandrau, H, J.
horn and other prominent attorneys
AL their conclusion. Judge Willis said:
Among the impressive observances which
the traditions OF the bench and bar have
caused to be the order Of the day at certain
lmes Is this wherein the memory of de-
PaIted members OF the bar IS COMMUNICATED
After the long struggle in which member of
our profession may be either minister OF
justice or an administrator of justice, after he
Eas departed to other shores and passed be-
yond the boundary of this life, it has become
usual to pass judgment upon his career and
his character.
Any man may well look forward with an
prehension to the time when. after his voice
mas become silenced forever, his professional
brethren will gather to utter their Judgment
upon his career, to strike the balance he
tween the good and evil in his character. and
to determine whether his life has been of
dement, or detriment to the world
In the arbitrament which Is here pro-
nouhced, the characters of Samuel J. R. Nc
Milan and William A. Spencer are linked to-
gether by most felcitoGs circumstance The
character Of each was such as to reflect credit
upon human kind. Their professional attain
meuts were such as to reflect credit upon the
bar. ~ -
The service Of Judge Mcmillan upon the
bench, his service in the senate of the United
States. the exalted trusts which he fulfilled
the magnificent station to which he attained
are cherished features in the history of Mn
nesota. And all through that life which was
conspicuous for it's perfect appreciation and
consistent execution of duty, shone out those
respientent qualities which arise through a
perfect latin in God, an ardent attachment to
the doctrines Of revealed religion a belief
In system of future rewards and punish
ments. trusting hope and reverence in
the Redeemer
The character Of William A. Spencer was
not conspicuously displayed upon wide arena
OF human affairs. He was a scholar. He was
learned in the law. In the DAYS of his ca
reer In Minnesota, when the principles of the
common law had to some extent been OBJ
scured by the prevalence of practice under
the code and the principles which led to the
adoption of the code. Mr.. Spencer was one of
the Few men whose thorough knowledge of
common law principles, whose thorough ac
qualntanco with the methods Of common law
n
code from superceding the just expression of
those principles which found their best ex-
empiification, perhaps. In common law prac-
tice. His Judgment, knowledge and expert
ence were at all times guides and beacons
by which his brethren Of the bar could learn
how the principles of the code should be in
terpreted. when compared with the lights of
former days.
The culture and delightful social qualities
of Mr.. Spencer were not displayed, as I have
said, upon the widest plane of human affairs
But to those who had the privilege of an &C
quaintance with him, who met him as O
neighbor as a friend, who met him as a.
professional man, or who knew the quiet
efficient and sturdy manner in which he pur-
sued the routine Of official duty, his life was
certainly an inspiration
OF either Mcmillan and Spencer we may
say. In the language Of a poet:
''He kept the witnesses of his soul
That. while men mourned, God smiled upon
him he slept"
I should deem that have waived a priyi-
lego most precious had I failed to present my
tribute to the memory of these. our distin
guished and departed brethren.
1t Is my pleasure, also. brethren of the bar.
to express entire concurrence in the tribute
which has been presented to the memory of
Lyman s. Cotton and to the memory of Frank
M Hopkins. Each led comparatively gu ct
and obscure life. But, as members of the
bar and as members Of the judiciary, we
have learned enough Of each to value them as
associates and to cherish their memory
1 may express the hope that when the judg-
! ment Of mankind and Of the profession shall
| be passed upon the memory Of each one pres
ent it may. in its solemnity, in It's sense Of
propriety, in it's scope in the earnestness and
sincerity with which 1t Is made, reflect the
| same credit upon ourselves as we gladly ac-
cord to the characters to which tribute has
been rendered at this session Of court.
Judge Brill closed the proceedings
with a few remarks in which he indi-
| Gated that the bench was in thorough
| accord with the sentiments expressed
by the har