The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1900-05-05


nobler and sweeter qualities Of the SOU
which are engraved in still deeper hnes
upon the hearts of all of us who come in
contact with him. Only those who knew
him personally and came In close touch
with him can fully appreciate all tnat was
in the man. 1t is most meet and proper
that there should be the gathering OF the
bench and bar Of New Jersey. 1t Is most
meet and proper that it should take place
in this temple of justice, where a score
and more years ago when a mere strip
ling-as we seniors would count him-he
commenced his judicial career, first as
public prosecutor for the State in this
great county of Hudson-and would say
in that connection judicial career because
hold that the office of public prosecutor
is a semi judicial one-and after that as
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas,
having ordinary civil jurisdiction original
and by way of appeal; Judge of the Court
of Quarter Sessions, having criminal Jur-
isdiction, and Judge of the Orphans Court,
having jurisdiction over the settlement oil
estates and the accounts of executors,
guardians and trustees. Here in this
house he first manifested something at
least of the material of which he was
made; and here we naturally come to rem
der tribute to his memory.
ST have no recollection of ever having
seen our departed brother before the
occasion of the trial of the Court House
cnnspirators. which occurred just Y
wears ago this week, nthis house before
the late Justice Knapp. OF the Judge and
four counsel who were active in that
drama and the principal defendant,
alone am alive.
''It is no disaparag cement to the mem
ory of our deceased brother to say that
majority of the older members of the bar
were somewhat startled by his appoint
men. felt htat it was somewhat expert
mental and feared that it might not sue
ceed. I doubt not that he himself felt
embarrassed by the great undertaking he
had assumed. But he essayed the task
with characteristic courage and with re-
suit which we all know and appreciate.
How well and faithfully, and with what
wise discretion and sound Judgment he
administered the duties of that Office, you,
his brethren of the Hudson Bar can bear
testimony.
find no defective phrases to regret and
which must be overlooked in view of
other and more excellent features. We
find no use for the mantle of charity. In
him no desirable quality was lacking. In
all matters of duty when once he had
determined the path wherein duty led
hfm, no power was able to deter him from
walking therein.
''of this great Judge and lovely man
there remains to seniors of the bar and
bench only his recorded words and the
sweet memory of his virtues. We may
and shall mourn his loss. but we can
not hope to emulate him, our characters
are too fixed and hopelessly crys-
talized to encourage us in that direction"
When Vice Chancellor Pitney finished
the new Chancellor, William J. Magic en-
tered and was presented to the meeting.
All arose as Chancellor Magic took his
seat In a quiet tone of voice he said
ssIt is proper that we unite and express
our loss in his death and that suitable
resolutions to that effect should be
spread on the minutes of the State Courts.
OF his usefulness and services, of his
of his .engag ging personality we cannot
say too much and those who associated
with him and enjoyed his acquaintance
loved him. It being my sad duty to
preside here will now call ON the sew
eral speakers to make addresses
Justice Jonathan Dixon was the next
speaker. He sketched the incident of the
appointment of the late Chancellor by
Gov. Green and then traced his course
as Prosecutor. law Judge of the Court of
Equity Chancellor MeGill, said the
speaker. in all his great cases rarely miss
ed the truth in the cause. He never COM
pounded with the insinuating motive and
"Humani nihil a me alienum."
s'Whatever,' continued Mr.. Dixon, ''the
complexities of the trustee in any case
before the Chancellor he must have fully
discharged his trust. Chancellor MeGill
always brought his painstaking abilities
to every case before him and it was not
too much to say that better show
ing could not be made than dur
ing his administration. He brought.
said the speaker, to his high
offices a liberal opinion an imperturable
aim all of which assisted him in his work.
OF his good work too much cannot be
said. But what shall be said of his
graces? His modesty and unobtrusiveness
are known to all; his gentleness and his
dignity were charming characteristics of
the great passead away Mr.. Dixon
closed an. eloquent panegyric of Mr.. Nc
Gill with these final words
.'It is to be said. Should auld acquaint-
ance be forgot and never brought to min?
Oh MOI oh no."
The next address was that of Judge
Otto Grouse for the Hudson County Bar
an dhe said as follows.-
:. 81 am not insensible to the fattering
compliment of the extraordinary privilege
accorded me on this memorable occasion.
To echo the heart sentiments of the Hud-
son County Bar, to give expression, how
ever faint and feeble it may be, to the
love, admiration and esteem for Alexander
It. McGill, is indeed such an honor as
comes to one but rarely in this f1eeting
life The place, the purpose, this splen-
did audience gathered from every county
of the State he loved SO we'll, to do honor
to his memory, combine at once to ex-
cite ones self distrust and kindly inspira-
tion.
'.And on this very threshold we ask
ourselves what means this gathering of
sympathetic souls? Who was this man for
whom busy care for the time has been
laid aside, and to recount whose life and