The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1899-09-23
ATKINSON
COMMISSIONS
MELVIN.
Lawyers and Citizens congratu-
late the New Judge of the
First judicial District.
CAPTAIN DOVFNFR PRESENTS
The Commission, and the Modest
Recipient Responds in a Very
Feeling Manner.

I
At a spontaneous gathering OF law
yers and citizens. yesterday afternoon
at 5 o'clock in Judge Thayer Melyln's
ONCE on ChaplIne street, the commits
sion received by the committee Of the
bar the day before from Governor At
kfnson at Charleston. appointing the
Judge to the tudgeshlp in the First
judicial circuit made vacant by the
death OF Judge PAUL, was formally pre-
sented. While oil present felt the loss
sustained in the death OF Judge PAUL,
there was general gladness that 1t had
become possible to have as his success
sor 50 strong jurist. so true gentle-
man and so worthy citizen as Thayer
Melvin.
The delegation that waited on Judge
Melvin was headed by Congressman
Dovener and Major Cowden, members
Of the committee from the bar Of the
district who were delegated to see Gov
ernor Atkinson at Charleston and
solicit the appointment of Judge Mel
win. As related In the Intelligencer
yesterday morning the committee met
with signal success, the governor los-
ing no time in acceding to the commit
tees wishes, and filling out In his own
hand the commission, which he then
handed to the committee, they to pre-
sent II to Judge Melvin. Others in the
party included Messrs. Henry NJ, Rus
sell, George B. Caldwell, c. p. Flick,
Lewis Jordan, John Frew, r. NJ. Addle-
man, w. w. Arnett, win H. Caldwell,
g. r. p. Gilchrist, Nelson Hubbard,
James P. Rogers, Robert White and
others.
AS the delegation marched into tho
Judges office he evinced the surprise
one would naturally expect, but with
his usual good nature and. hospitality
the judge made all as comfortable as
possible. Then Captain Dovener step
ped to the front, and unrOlling small
bundle Of papers he carried, spoke OF
the great loss the bar and community
had sustained in the death OF Judge
PAUL. and stated that on Thursday a
committee Of the bar Of the district had
waited on Governor Atkinson and se-
cured his appointment, and he express-
ed the hope and confidence that the
honor would be accepted. .y..s---.,--
II presume" said Judge Melvin IN
reply, that this Ia a commission nam
ing me as one OF the Judges Of the First
circuit. Captain Dovener, this has been
week of surprises with me. don't
know what to say. / am, Of course. TO
express my thanks for this mark OF
confidence shown in me by the execu-
tive. am more than thankful to the
bar OF the First judicial district.
didn't know was interested or would
be In the death OF Judge PAUL, save as
one OF your number, deeply deplorlng
and appreciating our great loss. But,
unexpectedly to me, the members OF the
bar acted, in view Of the emergency,
and the result has been that was re-
commended to the executive, and ac-
ceded to the recommendation. as suit
able person to succeed the late lament-
ed fudge. Unlike the bar do not think
was the one they should have select
ed, Their action was a compliment
which / do not think deserve. And /
do not know how to thank them. The
poor, common words OF courtesy are but
a mockery of what I feel. Whatever
may betlde II viii be held by me IN
fondest recollection MS long as mind and
memory last I diBtrust myself but
have not found a way to decline this
honor. Coming as this does I do not
feel at liberty to refuse.
Judge Melvin evlnced the feeling that
always comes to n man who is truly
honored by his fellows. At the close Of
his short talk those present pressed
about him and offered their congratu-
latIons, which the recipient received
with the modesty which has always
Characterized him.
Accompanying the commission from
the governor were personal letters Of
Generalization from Governor Atkinson
and Secretary Of State Dawson, both OF
whom hasten to pay tribute to Judge
Melvin's worth and fitness for the office.
In the governors letter, he states that
It gave him great pleasure to make the
appointment.
Judge Melvin was administered the
oath OF office In the presence of Con-
gressmnn Dovener and Major Cowden,
and he stated to the attorneys that he
would hold court to-day in Part I, sue
ceedlng Judge PAUL az presiding Judge
OF the circuit during the current year.