Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1902-04-03
First Democrat on Vermont Bench
Since the Death of Hon.
T. P. Redfield.
]. W. ROWELL CHIEF JUDGE
Took the Oath Of Office Yesterday
Judge Haselton Will Take the AS
signments of the Late O 'ge Taft
New Granite Firm = chases
Large Property - IRE.

Montpelier, April &c W. w. Stick
ncy to-day announced he had ap-
pointed Judge John w. =. ell chief judge
TO fill the vacancy cat g by the death
of Chief Judge X. s. Tai ~ Id Seneca Has
elton OF Burlington, six ~ Ssociate jude,
TO the position made va in consequence
OF the promotion of the other members of
the bench.
Governor Sticl<neY WAS in town to-day
and held d conference with Judge Rowell
this morning, at which the governor made
the announcements. Judge Rowcll went 10
Clerk NJ. Il. SMILES office at II O'Clock
and was sworn in, going back at 1870 to
Randolph.
The appointment Of Judge Haselton Is
well received in this city. lie had the al
most unanimous endorsement of Washing-
ton county bar for the appointment, the
entire bar with two or three exceptions
caused by previous pledges having signed
his petition
Judge uaselton also had practically the
unanimous support of Chittenden and Adj
Olson counties 1t was the expressed wish
of the late Judge Taft that Mr.. Haselton
should be his successor.
Judge Haselton will take the assign
ments of the late Judge Taft for the re-
mainder of the year. This will give him the
June term at Woodstock, the September
term at Burlington and the December
term ut Bennington.
Judge 1laselton is the first democrat to
he appointed or elected to the supreme
bench since the death of Hon. L. p. Red
field.
HAS NOT RECEIVED HIS COMMITS
SION.
Judge IIaselton was seen by Free
Press man late last evening but has not
yet received his commission and does not
know when the oath of office will be ad
mnistored nor when he will take up Lis
assignments.
Seneca Haselton of Burlington. son of
the Rev. Amos and Amelia O'rinl) Has
elton, was born in Westford. Feb. &C. 1878.
His early education was obtained in the
public schools OF Jericho. tnderhill and
the academies of Undcrhill and Barre. lie
thin entered the classical department of
the L. V. NJ from which he graduated
with high honors in 1871. In 1913 he began
the study of law in the office of Wales and
Taft at Burlington. but soon after accepted
the chair of instructor of mathematics in
the University of Michigan, at the same
time pursuing his professional studies iii
the law department of that institution.
Later he returned to Burlington where he
has since remained attaining "A very high
rank as Il general practitioner.
Judge Haselton is q strong adhcront of
the Democratic party and has always TAX
en- an active and leading part in both city
and State politics. For many successive
terms he was city judge and in 1856 repre-
scntcd burlington in the Legislature, serv-
ing on the judiciary committee. In 1855 he
was appointed n member of the State eX-
amining committee on admission to the
Vermont bar. and the following year
served as chairman of the same Two
Years later he was chosen mayor of the
city of Burlington to which position he was
twice reelected. During Grover Clcve-
lands second administration he was
minister to Venezuela. and since tho eleva-
nf Stuff IN hn ir1-p ma
bench, in July. 1900 he has been reporter
OF Supreme Court decisions.