The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-02-14
judicial, Legislative and Executive Branches
Were Represented.
EXERCISES IN THE BAPTIST CHURCH
Associate Justice Rogers Of The Appellate Dhisio
Of The Supreme Court CeIYsrsd Touching
EurogJ Ofhk Departed Colleague.

The funeral services over the remains
OF Hon. Benjamin Miller Bosworth,
late associate justice of the Supreme
Court, were held today in the First
| Baptist church, Warren, I'm the presence
of an immense gathering of representa-
! tive citizens OF Rhode Island, who had
I assembled TO do honor TO the memory
OF one who was so generally beloved
and respected. Every portion OF the
church was filled. and seats had been
reserved especially for Gov. Dyer and
| members of the Senate and House,
judges of the Supreme Court, state Off
cials, members of the Warren town
cvunciI anu OIners wan wnOm the ue-
ceased nau DeIn associated.
Ine services were very impressive
inueeu, ana were conducted ACCORDING
10 the rlIes Oh the EpISCOpaI cnurcn ny
hev. a. H.. Carpenter, rector OF St.
marx = cnurcn, warren, AT Whlch tnv
Iate Juuge BosworJn was an attenu-
ant, but the services were neid IN the
Baptlst because At was the largest place
OF worship IN the town. After the
DeauIuui service Tor the dead mad been
reau, prayer was offered by keN. her
man W. atJen, pastor OF the FIRST
BapUst churcn, ana also by Rev. Ia.
Brown, pastor OI tne warren M. L..
churcn.' It was a touching Slght 10 be-
hoId the ciose attention OF the immense
congregation, and In several parts OF
the church sobs were plalnly audible.
After the three clergymen had
brought the essentially renglous por-
ton OF the services 10 ciose, hon.
horatio Rogers, OF the Supreme Court,
n late associate Of the departed justice,
10 "a al \ H.,
ceased. Judge Rogers sad:
The lamp of llIe OF our departed
brother has gone out, and his earthly
career is ended. The memory of mis-
virtues, however. Will endure, and his
high aims. his lofty Ideals, his noble
ana self sacrificing conceptions OF duty,
and his absolute tidelity To every trust
have sown seed that Will ripen into a
precious harvest of inspiration for
those coming after.
To the tender tribute Just rendered by
one who could speak at once as pastor,
townsman, and a member of the home
circle, as il were, some supplemental
words are desired from one who was
associated with him in his judicial
life, and who enpoyed his intimacy,
and, IL is believed, his confidence, on
the broad plane of public duty which
latterly constituted his chosen vocation.
This is not the occasion To dwell cri-
tically upon our dead brothers qualifi-
cations as a judge, though, were lt,
happily, | could speak only in words of
praise; yet some of those underlying
qualities. the possession of which are
necessary to make a good man as a
condition precedent to making a good
judge, may properly find expression
here.
In attempting TO portray the lead
ing characteristics of our departed
friend from the standpoint I occupy,
one fails to find any that even SYM
pathetic friendship would lead To veil
with the charity of silence, and II Is "A
grateful realization that there Is no oc-
casion for the mind Of the speaker TO
fence with itself in seeking how to
soften what perfect candor would for
bid being altogether suppressed
The corner stone of the character of
the departed jurist was the most alb
solute and unqualified honesty, not only
in deeds but in thoughts and purposes.
He had no patience with men I'm high
office who seek the most scanty meas
ure of fulflment possible i'm discharg-
ing the required duties. Now how cas-
lily. but how well he could perform the
duties entrusted TO him was the sole
object of his solictude.
This innate honesty was further ex-
hib.ted by his never forgetting that ~
cardinal requirement i'm a good Judge
was 10 listen patiently. especially To
the side that he felt he would be obliged
to decide against unless his views could
be changed. 1t is not always easy to
listen with a mind open To conviction:
but, If the mind is steclcd against all
possibility Of being convinced. then the
mere formality OF listening is but an
empty form and hollow mockery.
And he was as brave as he was hon
est. His lips never spared To dcnounce
n mean motive. nor to characterize an
act as IL deserved. lie never
qua.led before the attacks of envy
jealous and malice; and the whole I,
cowardly brood begotten of uncharita- |,
bleness could not sweTVe him from his 4
purpose. He knew his duty and he 4
dared TO do IL. From the first case he (
tried as a Judge 90 the last one he fin I
ished but few hours before he was /
down IN death. all. who saw /
and heard him. recognized that he WIS /
q iuat and fearless Judge. He had the /
courage of his convictions and though /
others might differ. he could stand 4
alone and avow them. He possessed /
that .lne and subtle courage that t'mid 7
Judges SOM times shrini. from cXcrtin-. .
tor he never failcd tO exercise the
broad judicial discretion entrusted to /
him 90 select methods In tho trial OF his I
cases that would best Conduce To the |
admin 'stratlon Of Justice even " IL was I
n little out OF the hackneycd course OF
procedure.
our departed brother possessed an
other trait that eonduced I'm IN emi-
nent degree 90 his fitness for n Judge. l
and also nttcsted the innate nobility of /
his character. lie exercised conspicu-
Dus forbcarance IN tho use OF the great 1
power entrusted TO him and ~ never