Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1899-04-22


conspicuous ability, his even tempera
mcnt ana love of fairness especially
fitting him to discharge the duties of a
presiding officer. Politics We're not at
tractive to him, however, and his
political ambition was satisfied with
this service.
His professional life covered period
of 40 years, and all of it was passed at
TINS bar. Very few are now living who
began practice with him. For several
years before his death his period OF
practice had been surpassed bv few at
| this bar. and yet we never thought Of
MN as an old man. Years had
brought no gruffness of manner. and in
spirits he was as youthful as any. al
ways enjoying a good joke or an anus
ing story. and lighting up the dreary
| waste OF jury trial with the flashes
u MS wit. During this period he was
| q successful lawyer with a large num-
Der of clients among whom were some
| Of the largest interests in the State.
which showed their confidence in him
| by their continuous employment. We
al know from experience that such are
! the tests applied to a lawyer that
| quackery and ShamS are soon exposed
and that only those win success who
deserve it. Mr.. Webb's frank and open
manner went far to ingratiate him
With his clients.
He was thoroughly democratic and
therefore his clients felt at ease with
him. He was possessed in a large
measure Of good practical common
sense. and upon this he had builded by
his studies. rejecting whatever he
found which did not harmonic and
accord with it. 50 that while others
may have surpassed him in knowledge
of techncalities Of the law. he had L
large store Of legal knowledge to apply
to the practical affairs of life. He
was a very industrious man ana 4
hard student up 70 the time Of his
death. | have never known anyone
who could apply himself continuously
for 50 long a time to hard work at the
desk.
His preparation Of his cases was
thorough ana his methods paiustaking
and careful. His mind was conserva-
tive and ala not reach conclusions I'M
til there had been a mental balancing
VT al the reasons, for or against them.
but these conclusions We're usually
correct. He was entirely lacking II
vanity ana never did anything for
mere show.
While his practice was varied one
With which the members Of this bar
are familiar. he often appeared upon
the equity side Of this court and here
he was notably successful The broa
principles Of equity jurisprudence with
its direct aim at justice We're attrac-
tive to him ana with his love Of justice
and fair dealing he drifted easily upon
their currents
Frank and open by nature. relying
none upon cunning or tcchnicalities HI
his dealings with mon. he liked In fol-
1ov. fla bcnd of bis natural inclination.
in anpIication of tho doctrines ,f
onuitv
If | were Ia select tho nualitv in his
character thar. more than any other
attributed "a his success | should NV
that it was faithfulncss. When a
client had once entrusted cause To
him he allowed nothing to stand in the
way of His giving his best efforts t.
that cause. ana no matter where his
course might take him 1t was a
straightforward one. He therefore haI
the full confidence of his clients ana
.L,,,. ~, .r,tpr.I tJ.f, ,,,u tt.ry h, HIN,