Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1898-03-02
Remedies Choice.


published elsewhere in this issue, that
the Kennebec Bar Association, at a
| largely attended meeting in the court
house. yesterday, unanimously recon-
! mended Hon. A. NJ. Spear of Gardiner
for appointment as a justice of the su &.
preme court, in the event that there
should be a vacancy in that body. This
was certainly pleasing tribute to the
sterling character and legal attain
years past been recognized by members
of his profession and by the general
public as one of the ablest lawyers in
the State. In thus naming the man Of
their choice the lawyers of Kennebec
do not fail to recognize the high quail
tiles of other gentlemen whose names
have been mentioned in connection
with this responsible and honorable
position. At the same time they be-
lieve that in Mr.. Spear they have a
candidate in every way qualified to dis
charge the arduous and eXacting duties
of the place with credit to himself and
the State. Mr.. Spear is 40 years of age,
in the very prime of his physical and
! intellectual viSor. Aside from the
cares ana labors of an extensive law
practice he has held many important
positions of public trust, and has never
failed, in the discharge of their duties
to honor the community which has
honored him. He was born in Madi
son, Somerset county, Maine, but his
parents removed, when he was six
months old. to Litchiield, in KenncbeC
county, where he grew TO manhood.
lie was educated at the town schools
and the WaterVille Classical Institute
He took the regular course at Bates
college. graduating in the class of 20
After leaving college he taught the
Arson academy for two years. Study
ing law with Hutchinson & Savage Of
Lewiston, he was admitted to the bar
III 1910, ana entered upon tuc pldCllNC
of his profession in the city of Halo
We'll in January, 1879, where he remain
ed until September. 1885, when he mov
ed to Gardiner. where he has since re-
mainod. While citizen of HalloWeN,
MIR Spear was chairman of the school
board years, city solicitor years ana
in he common council and board of al
dermen years. In 1889. he was elected
to the Maine House of Representatives
where he served on the committees on
legal affairs and the revision Of the
Statutes. From 1850 to 1892 he served
as mayor of Gardiner He was elected
to the Senate in 1891. and reelected in
1893, being chosen by his fellow MEM
bers as their President The ability
and fairness with which he presided
over the deliberations of this body dur
ing the session. won him a wide circle
of warm friends and admirers and es-
tablished his reputation as one of the
strong men of the State. Mr.. Spear is
a ready and effective public speaker
and has taken high rank as an aaVo-
cate, as Well as thorough and conscien-
tious worker in his profession AIR
Spear is a man of vigorous health. and
an indefatigahle worker. He is schol-
arly in his instincts. and has never
spared time or work in making himself
the absolute master of every cause he
has ever championed. His professional
brethren who have been pitted against
him in court have learned not only to
appreciate his legal attainments, but
also to recognize and admire the fair
ness and candor that have character
lied him in all his dealings. They BE-
licVe that in indorSing him for a position
upon the bench of the supreme court
they are presenting Il candidate in
every way qualified for the important
duties of the position.