The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1902-10-23
APPROPRIATE AND TOUCHING ADDRESS
by Mr.. Jacob Brown at the Memorial Ser
vices Upon the Death of Judge
David W. Sloan.

David W. Sloan.
1t was not at all expected that dur
ing the small remnant of my quiet
life, should feel it my duty to per-
form such a function as this, but so it
has happened.
May premise a little, ere l enter
upon my remarks on this solemn oc-
| casion? l was admitted to this bar in
the very center of the last century.
The Court then, under the old Con-
stitution of 1916 was filed by R..N.
Martin, chief judge with Marshall and
Weisel as associates; all learned, just
and upright, respected by all. Since
| that remote period of the eventful
past, no less than sixteen judges have
sat in the places so fifty filed by the
Court l am now addressing. The de-
parted or absent ones are the three al
ready mentioned, supplemented by
Thomas Perry, James Smith, Geo. A.
Pearre, j. H. Gordon, H. w. Hoffman
and David w. Sloan, of our own coun-
ty, and r. H. Alvey, VIM. Motter,
Andrew K. Syester and H. X. Doug
lass, of Washington county. The on
ly survivors are Alvey and Douglass.
The bar then was not SO numerous
as now, but / undertake to say as
able, learned and as fully possessed of
all the elements that constitute the
true lawyers as their successors who
mark and distinguish the present AL
legany Bar. Only single one of the
roll as it then ''spoke and acted" re-
mains in life. 1t is a solemn fact that
l have witnessed more of these judi
cial and legal memorials than any
living or deceased member of this
Bar, but solely because of the many
annuities of time that have come to
me and passed on.
The subject of these solemnities,
David William Sloan, was born in the
mineral regions of this county, on the
Goth day of September, 1850, of a
sturdy Scotch race. His education
began in boyhood at the home schools
and when age fitness came, was sent
to the Allegany Academy where he
spent the necessary time to fit him
for a higher institution-was sent
thence to Washington and Jefferson
College, Pa, where he was diligent
student for short time. After his
term there he was sent to Princeton
University where he graduated with
high credit in 1878. The law was his
aim or purpose as urged by his ambi-
tious father, Alexander Sloan, from
the beginning of his educational train
ing. He was duly placed in the law
office of the Hon. Lloyd Lowndes (then
M. O. in this city and was admitted
to the Bar in 1876. He remained dur
ing his law practice in the well-known
Evans and Perry block on Washing
ton street. Just here the incident re-
turns to mind, that in this very Office
in the month of November, 1S47, |
commenced the study of law, with
Matthew Topham Evans, star lawyer
in his day, but went out in July, 1850,
at the early age of 81 years-only
eight in the professionally admission
in 1S49 added one to the roll, but his
death one year later restored the
equilibrium.
Practice and business came rapidly
to the new practitioner on account of
his legal aptness, and personal popu-
larity. In 1879 he received the nomi-
nation from his party for the Office of
States Attorney, and was handsome
ly elected, and reelected in 1887 and
1891; thus serving a period of twelve
years, longer record than any prede-
cessor in the Office. AS prosecuting
officer, he was watchful, careful and
vigilent, with full legal ability and
| determination for the faithful dis
charge of the duties of the office. AS
prosecutor he did not forget that in
the accused there was humanity as
well as alleged criminality. By him,
the hardened criminal received due
and fair prosecution, while the
thoughtless wrong doer received mod
Grafton, and even admonition rather
than the seventies due a confirmed
criminal. In short he was Just, fair
and considerate prosecuting official.
About the time his third term as
States Attorney was to expire, he
was elected Associate Judge of the
Court l am now addressing over a
most worthy opponent, Hon. Ferdi-
nand Williams, who now by executive
appointment most satisfactorily fills
his place. 1t is hardly necessary at
this time and place to undertake to
portray the manner with which Judge
Sloan discharged the many and vari-
GUS duties of his last high office for a
period approaching seven years. Up
on the Bench he was calm, attentive,
respectful and clear minded. Suffi-
GENTLY dignified, but never beneath
the robes of his office-nor severe,
austere, harsh or even ungracious.
| ALWAYS mindful that ba xuoe MOI