The herald., 1898-12-28
ADDRESS TO VAN DYKE
LOS ANGELES BAR HONORS AN
ABLE JURIsT
HE MAILS HIS RESIGNATION
After Half Century in Public Service
the Judge Assumes More
Onerous Duties

The members of the Los Angeles county
bar met yesterday at the room occupied by
Department four of the superior court, tor
the purpose of adopting memorial OF re-
spect to Judge Walter Van Dyke, in recog-
nition of his resignation of the office OF
Judge of this county and election as asso-
ciate justice of the state supreme court.
j. S. Chapman called the meeting to or
der and H. G. Miller acted as secretary, pur-
suant to their election at the previous gath
ering, and Mr.. Chapman read the following
address, formulated by the committee,
which was submitted for approval by the
bar:
THE ADDRESS
"As the time is near at hand when the
Hon. Walter Van Dyke, who has so many
years presided over one of the departments
of the superior court, must enter upon the
discharge of the duties of the high office to
which he has been called, the bench and bar
OF Los Angeles county. sensible OF the
change which his exaltation must make in
the relations that have so long existed be-
tween him and them, assume the privilege
OF attesting their appreciation of those pub
lie and private virtues which have been at
once the manifestation of his character and
the evidence of his own sense OF the claims
which justice and honor are entitled to
make upon the conduct Of every one in pub
lie or private station.
1T is hardly to be expected that career
so extended as his could have passed with
out an incident of an unpleasant nature. The
position of Judge is one which, from its very
E. de
patience and good nature; and, besides, the
controversies which come before him, Otter
involve the most important affairs OF hui
man life, and excite hopes, fears and anx-
ieties not conducive to placidity of mind, or
amiability of temper in the parties them
selves or their attorneys. These and many
other causes frequently combine to place
a judge in a trying position.
1.-The experience of Judge Van Dyke has
been no exception to the common fate 81
judges, and no one can more heartily con-
gratulate him upon the success with which
he has avoided disagreeable incidents, and
the tact with which he has pleasantly dis
posed of the few which have occurred, than
those who are most sensible of the difficulty
of doing either.
''That we feel confidence in the manner
in which he will meet the demands of the
office of justice of the supreme court, it is
needless for us to say. His own life and
public services are a sufficient guaranty of
that. The pleasant associations which have
so long existed between him and ourselves,
both official and unofficial we shall miss
but, considering the occasion of his de-
parture, we ought not to be selfish enough
to indulge in regrets, especially as those as
sociations though greatly interrupted, will
not wholly cease.
Leaving regrets, therefore, to his sue
cessor, who will have no little difficulty in
meeting the expectations which his admin
istration has inspired, unless such successor
be himself happily constituted and well
equipped, we take the occasion of his eleva.
ton to a higher and broader sphere of use
fulness to give public expression to our ap-
probation of the life and character of the
man and of the services rendered by him to
the state in the many official positions to
which he has been called
On motion of S. M. White, seconded by
radner w. Lee, the address was adopted
the Joint expression of the bar and or
red to be engrossed, signed by the com
ittee and transmitted to Judge Van Dyke.
gether with a copy of the resolution
adopting the same.
HIS RESIGNATION MAILED
Judge Van Dyke yesterday mailed his let
ter of resignation to Governor Budd. 1t
was as follows:
LOS ANGELES. Dec 2S, 1898.
"His Excellency James H. Budd, Governor
of the State of CALIFORNIA;:
"Sir-Having been elected as associate
justice of the supreme court of this state. at
the last general election, hereby resign the
office of judge of the superior court in and
for the county of Los Angeles.
"Nery respectfully yours,
"WALTER VAN DYKE."
Referring to his formal retiremen. from
he bench OF Los Angelo. county last ever.
ing, Judge Van Dyke said he hoped to be
able to leave the city Friday Of this week,
unless he added, Il should get super.
stitious and put off starting till the next
day"
Continuing, he said: "Ihave been trying
to arrange my papers so as to leave every
thing in order, but the accumulation of years
is not easily reduced in bulk Going over
my letters, | have destroyed many. but
there Is formidable stacl; yet awaiting ex-
animation. | cannot delegate the work to
any one else, as some things possess value to
me which others might overlook entirely.
Under the old Israelitish law every
fiftieth year they wiped out and began anew.
1t has been some fifty years that / have
been in public life, and as am trying to
reduce the volume of my papers, think OF
the year of jubilee, and almost wish could
clear out the whole lot at once expect.
however, to get away by Saturday. Ny
letter of resignation, addresse to Governor
Budd. | shall place in the pos.offce to-
night"