The Portland daily press., 1898-03-19

HON. WILLIAM FL. FOGLER.
pointment had been made, I began to
suspect that I was quite o lawyer and
something of man, and have had that
impression all day, but aftsr having
heard what you have said of ME this even
ing I find myself lifted almost to the
clouds.
1 cannot but think, however, that your
friendship and your enthusiasm has some
what overestimated my ability to I'LL this
high office. 1 am reminded OF little
incident that occurred up in Waldo county
some years ago. An old client of mine,
of somewhat bibulous habits, was asleep
on a settee in the tavern one night, or
presumably asleep, and the other men
around begun to size him up. AT last
one of his friends said: i tell you that
old fellow sleeping there is worth forty
thousand dollars In cash. - The old
gentleman reused up and said: "Chsrles,
guess you We set me little high. l
think in your enthusiasm and friendship
you have set me little high. daughter
and applause.)
There is no honor which could be con-
ferTed upon me which l would esteem
greater than that of an appointment to
the Supreme bench. The Supreme court
of the State of Maine for nearly eighty
years has SIOUQ III tuo lulu It1Ah " oAo
Judicial tribunals of this country. 1t has
numbered among it's justices the best, the
purest and the ablest judges of the union.
The bench as now composed are gentle
men learned in the law of undoubted In
tegrity and Of great ability. have mis-
givings, l almost despair, of being able
to even assist in maintaining the high
reputation for learning and legal ability
of that learned court. / have this assnr-
hof yUhQn T faEp
place upon the bench with the other
Justices of the court, I shall be among
my friends, for there is not now upon the
bench of the Supreme court OF Maine,
and there never has been since / came to
the bar, now more than thirty years ago,
one who has not had my entire respect
aud admiration. There has been no MEM
ber of the supreme court during oil my
career for whom have not entertained
the most sincere friendship and kindness
OF heart, and l say that have the assur-
anoe that shall have the assistance and
the best wishes of my associates upon the
bench.
1t is gratifying to me that my appoint
ment has come, that 1T has been promoted
by the influence of the bar of the State of
Maine. 1t is as l would wish. Ii were
to have my own wishes carried out in or :
irving at this position, I should prefer,
above all things, that it should be
brought about by the sentiment of the
members of the bar of this state, with
whom / am 80 largely acquainted. Ii 1t
had come without any solicitation, II 1T
had been given to me without recon-
mendation from any one, should not
ceiving the nomination through the
efforts and the influence of my brethren
of the bar in all parts of this state.
OF course, in these counties represented
more largely here tonight l have had
their unanimous support, and in the
other counties of the state have had the
support of the leading members OF the pro-
fession. And it is happy thought to me
that, after thirty years at the bar, my
brethren have taken such an interest in
me and have exerted their influence in
my behalf.
Brother Moore has intimated that
should not forget that had practiced
law. Well, now I have praoticed law, as
I have said, for more than thirty years.
l have locked horns, at some time or an
other, with very many OF you and with
many other lnem bers of the profession. l
have been thrashed by you many times.
and 1t is hard, as you know, to teach an
old dog new tricks, and I do not believe
that, during the years l shall be likely to
remain upon the bench, l shall ever for
get those thirty years at the bar, or ever
forget that / was once praoticing
lawyer. (Applause.)
In speaking of the members of the legal
profession in Maine have this to say
that have had very large acquaintance
with them personally during all these
years. socially. at the bar and in business
relations, and ! have great pride in the
lawyers of this state. I have no very
great acquaintance with the lawyers o1
other states, but believe, feel assured
that the bar in no other state in the
Union is superior in ability and integrity
to that in the good. old State of Maine
The law is q noble profession. Of COURSE
there are black sheep in every flock, but
very few have been found in Maine. Ii
my experience with the members of ths
bar of this state have found them honor
able men. In my whole practice do no
recall that any lawyer with whom l wal
engaged in business has ever failed tt
keep his word to me. l have made many
arran gements, as lawyers always do will
their brother attorneys, verbally, no wit
nesses being present, and never but onct
was l asked to put the arrangement il
writing, and in that instance the counse
upon the other side was a most honorabI,
| man, and he desired it only to satisfy hi
clients. AS say, never was asked. saw
| in that instance, to put an agreemen
| with brother attorney in writing. ant
[ never had q lawyer with whom I hat
| made such an arrangement fail to live vi
| to it to the very letter. and do not thinl
1 was ever accused Of failure to live vi
to my own agreements. So say that