The Scranton tribune. [volume] (Scranton, Pa.) 1891-1910, 1900-09-18

John Willard Rought's fine portrait
in oil of the late Judge +. w. Guns.er
was yesterday morning formally pre-
sented to the Lackawanna Bar asso-
citation by the bar.
The portrait is an evidence OF the
artists perceptiveness of character as
expressed by facial features. Although
painted from a photograph, it brings
forth the spirit that animated the
lamented judge, so that those who view
it recognize and admire the man. The
native kindness and the matured
reason that animated the great soul
speaks from the canvas. Brush and
pigment can do no more than this.
The technical skill displayed is of the
highest order There is a roundness,
a completeness to the work that leaves
nothing to be desired. No panty tricks
have been attempted. The light that
comes from the left is not the excuse
for a shadow to hide defects. Although
comparatively low in tone, It is not
too low to emphasize the gentle dignity
and the sincerity of the subject. The
beard is a capital bit of painting, and
the judges characteristic flesh tone is
reproduced to the life.
particularly does it meet with the ap-
proval of the family of the great
jurist. The frame harmonizes with the
columns which enclose it. 1t has moth
ing of the gilt fol de rol in it, SO
simple, SO impressive, so characteris-
tic is the conception of the whole that
it attracts immediate attention. 1t is
far the best portrait in the court room.
THE PRESENTATION.
The presentation speech was made by
Attorney c. Comegys. who, in referring
to the dead jurist, said:
Thus wrote he himself tie record of a fruit.
ful life-the life Of manly man, a courteous and
dignifed gentleman, a brilliant and able advo.
vate, just and upright judge, who loved mercy
who hated evil and who daily walked in the
faith and fear of God. When the shadow of
death first fell upon him. reviewing such rec.
ord, he could not have failed TO find that conso.
lation which invariably comes with the con.
seriousness Of a wcll-spent life. To those who
then sorrowed about him. and to whom he was
about to leave the precious and priceless heritage
of a name without dishonor, to them with right
might he have repeated the celebrated lines of
Romcs immortal lyric poet:
81 shall not wholly die. Some part,
Nor that little shall
Escape the dread Destroyer's dart,
And his grim festival
In this presence and before all their witnesses,
for all the members Of this bar and all the mem.
bers of this bench, we now present. through Mr.
james II. Torrey their president, to the Lacka.
wanna Law and Library association the legal
title TO this portrait, suggesting that its proper
keeping be consigned to the care Of the Judges
upon the bench, to be held by the association
for those now presenting it, and those who shall
hereafter follow them, forever.
James H. Torrey, in accepting the
portrait, said:
Mr.. Chairman, Gentlemen of the Committee and
Members OF the Court: 1t is my agreeable duty
to accept on behalf Of the Lackawanna Law and
Library association this lifeke portrait Of one
who was so long ornament both to the bar
and bench Of this county. 1t is emnently fitting
that Judge Gunster's professional brethren should
take this method Of perpatuating his memory
and place in the temple of justice in which he
so long and worthily ministered a constant
reminder Of the virtues and gifts which make
that memory an inspiration TO faithful service
1t may be taken not only as a special expires.
sion of love and admiration OF Judge Gunster
but as well as a token Of the uniform sentiment
OF loyalty and affection by this bar towards the
members Of this bench without distinction |
cannot let this occasion pass without rcmarking
that the relations OF confidence and mutual re.
spect which characterize the relations between
the bench and the bar the result Of an evolu.
ton which has made rapid strides during the
century just closing. We are wont to imagine
that the vcncration and respect with which we
think Of the Judges who services marked the
formation period of our national Jurisprudence
was equally felt by their contemporaries at the
bar.
JUSTIFIES IMPRESSION
History hardly justillss this impression: on the
contrary, it would as though in the early
days Of the republic the first impulse Of an al.
vocate upon losing case was not as now TO take
an appeal, but 10 institute impeachment proceed.
ings against the court which had decided against
, him. No nconsidcrable portion Of the time Of
the United States senate in the early days was
occupied N the trial OF impeachment Of the
Judges.
John Pickering Judge of the United States dis.
trlct court. was imp ced in 1903; Samuel
Chase, Justice Of the supreme court = the United
/ States, was tried in 1,0i; Jgre. ok, e the
United States district c7n". in leaO and Judge
Humphreys, in 1852. II 0"r own state the same
tendency was early in Cr' nee. The case OF Bay
ard W. PasSnorc, 3 Y. as, led 10 the inpcach-
r,rt O. Shpman, Chi,i Justice. and it is re-
ported that there We're seven Impeachment cases
brought against Judges within five years in the
carly days. II seems IA have been taken for
granted in most cases il4t a Judge must have
some personal or political motive for every un.
favorable Judgment which he considered