Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1899-09-23
JUDGE IHAVFR MELVIN
Officially Appointed Judge Of the
Circuit Court
OF THE FIRST JUDICIAL CIRCUIT.
APPOINTMENT PRESENTED BY
CAPT. DOVENER JUDGE MEL
WINS SPEECH OF ACCEPTANCE.
THE NEW JUDGE WILL ENTER
UPON HIS NEW DUTIES THIS
MORNING.


MORNING.
The committee appointed by the
Wheeling Bar Association to wal, on
Governor Atkinson and urge the ap-
pointment of Judge Thayer Melvin, the
associations choice, to ill the. vacancy
occasioned by the death of Judge Paul,
returned to the city yesterday afternoon
from Charleston at o'clock. On the
committee was Hon. B. B. Dovener, w.
]. w. Cowden, of this city, and B. d.
Evans, of Moundsville. With them
they brought the official documents APP
pointing Judge Melvin, judge of the
Circuit Court of the First judicial cir
cult
Mr.. Evans was Immediately called
away to Moundsville on important bu-
siness, but the other two gentlemen,
accompanied by number of promin-
ent members of the bar, proceeded to
Judge Melyin's office at Fourteenth
and Chapline streets, where the judge
was formally informed of his appoint
ment
Capt. B. B. Dovener made the pre-
sentation speech, which was very brief.
He said that the judge was aware of the
great loss sustained by the bar in the
death OF Judge PAUL. He continued
that he had been commissioned by Gov
ernor Atkinson to offer to him the APP
pointment to fill the vacancy occasion
ed, which commission he most heartily
hoped the judge would accept.
The judges speech of acceptance was
magnificent effort, although it was
also very brief. Several times during
its deliverance the judge was almost
overcome with emotion. His speech
was as follows:
Capt Dovener and gentlemen. This
is indeed a very great surprise to me,
and l don't know what to say. | am,
OF course. thankful to the Executive
for his appointment, but | am more
thankful to the Bar Association. l
deeply deplore the event which makes
this appointment necessary. The ac-
ton of the bar was very unexpected to
me. | do not think that | was the one
who should have been recommended. |
am sure it was an undeserved honor.
l don't know how to thank you all, and
in this case it seems to me that pure
words are hollow mockery. | more
than distrust my present fitness for the
position, but l could not find way to
decline Even now should any one sug-
gest a way l would act upon it. One
reason is the sentiment EXPRESSED in
the recomme oxidation. / cannot trust
myself to say more. Thank you, gen
tlemen."
The gentlemen present then came
forward in turn and congratulated the
judge. In the general talk that follow
ed he said that he had taken occasion
TO look into the business before the
court. There is a great deal of unfin-
ished business before the court, and the
judge decided to qualify at once.
The documents were brought for
ward by Capt. Dovener, after the visit
ing attorneys had departed, for the
judges signature. The judge then took
the oath of Office before Notary w. j..
w. Cowden
Mr. Cowden then delivered and open
ed congratulatory letters from Governor
Atkinson and Secretary of State VIM.
NJ. o. Dawson, in which both officials
congratulated the judge very highly.
Judge Melvin will enter upon his new
duties as judge, of Part One. Circuit
Court of the First judicial district, this
morning.
Fine Lunch at Mrs, Kleves' saloon,
No. 1917 Market street, tonight.