The Savannah morning news., 1902-09-11
If ADAMS RESIGNS
GARRARD WILL BE HIS SUCCESSOR
AS CITY ATTORNEY.
1T MAY BE SOME DAYS
BEFORE JUDGE ADAMS DECIDES
WHAT HE WILL DO.

VIII Be sworn I'M the Latter Part
of This Month-WiH Have About n
Months Service on the Bench-His
First sitting viii Be Oct. 2-Judee
Adams the First SaVannahian to
Serve on the Supreme Bench-May-
or Myers Says He Knows No Prac-
teal Reason to Prevent Judge
Adams Retaining City Attorney
ship. but That Tie Hasn't Looked
Into the Legal Phase.
Judge Samuel B. Adams of the Su-
preme Court returned yesterday morn
ing from Atlanta, where he had
conference with the Governor. Judge
Adams accepted the appointment he
had received from the Governor and
thanked the chief executive for the
honor that had been done him.
A representative of the Morning
News saw Judge Adams. who said
that he would go to Atlanta the latter
part of this month to be sworn in as
one of the associate justices of the
Supreme Court. HIS first sitting with
the court will be on Oct. ., when
case is to be heard for which re-
quest for the full bench has been pre-
Ssferred.
Might Have Been sworn In.
Judge Adams might have been sworn
in upon his last visit to Atlanta. In
fact, it was suggested by the Attorney
General that he take advantage of the
trip TO take the oath of Office, but
Judge Adams desired to postpone his
installation for about two weeks, in
order that he might have time to give
his attention. while yet an active prac-
ticioner, to legal work upon which he
is engaged.
THE congratulations of my friends
have been very gratifying to me-" said
Judge Adams. They form one of the
most pleasant features of my appoint
ment. 1t was especially gratifying to
receive congratulations from the JUS
tees with whom l shall be associated
on the bench. From the chief justice
and from the associate justices, who
are now in the state, l have received
assurances of their pleasure in my
appointment. | am glad, naturally,
to know that they do not think i'll of
them.
Office Tenure Short.
"My tenure of office will be but short,
as l will have to make way for my
successor early in November. should
be glad to retain the honor longer, if
it were within my power, but my prac-
tice and the greater income that l de-
rive from 1t demand that l devote my
self to a clientele rather than to the
judiciary"
Judge Adams is the first Savan-
nathan upon whom the ermine of the
Supreme Court of Georgia has fallen
He did not seek the appointment, and
but comparatively few Savannah law
yers ever have. There are two or three
members of the Savannah bar who
have tried for election, but were de-
feated
Judge Adams was asked If he would
resign his position as city attorney in
View Of his appointment. He answer
ed that he still has that matter under
advisement.
1T is not necessary for me to reach
a decision as to that point for some
days" said Judge Adams. "as l do not
expect to take the oath of. Office until
the latter part of the month. That will
give me time to make UP my mind as
to what l should do. l am not pre-
pared just now to say whether or not
I shall resign the city attorneyship."
Mayor NOn-Committal.
Mayor Myers. who returned yester-
day morning from Macon, and at noon
resumed his duties as chief executive
was asked if Judge Adams would con-
tinue to serve the city as attorney. Il
do not know" was his answer. Il see
no practical reason to preclude his do
ing so. have not looked into the legal
phase of the matter"
A well-known lawyer was asked f0r
his view upon the legality of Judge
Adams retention of the city attorney
ship while serving as a justice of the
supreme Court. He answered:
Judge Adams cannot legally retain
the city attorneyship while he rs on
the bench. The statute requires that
justice of the Supreme Court shall
not be engaged in the practice of law
Under the statute Judge Adams can
not even retain his membership in his
firm while he is on the bench.
Council Can Adjust 1t.
1.-THE matter can be readily adjusted
however. by the City Council should
it be disposed. AS Judge Adams will
be member of the court for but about
month, Council might act as If he
were on vacation, naming his part
Aei, WI. DdNlS fTeendns 10 serve in
his stead as city attorney until Judge
Adams retirement from the bench. AS
to his, connection with his firm. that
of course. is a matter that he himself
can determine"
Several aldermen were asked if they
knew that protest would be offered
against Judge Adams retaining the
city attorneyship If he should decide
not to resign. They answered in the
negative, some saying that they did
not think there would be.
In the event Judge Adams resigns
Col William Garrard will be elected
to fill the unexpired term. Col. Gar
rard has long been closely allied with
the Citizens Club, which, connected
with his recognized ability as a law
yer, will win him the position Col
Garrard has always voted the straight
Citizens Club ticket, its members say
and was on the ticket that was headed
by Mayor Myers, when. in 1897, 1t was
defeated by Col. P. W. Meldrim and
his ticket. This was despite the fact
that Col. Garrard and Col. Meldrir
are partners in law and close personal
friends.
Politicians Predictions
The politicians of both factions hav,
been discussing rather freely whether
Judge Adams should resign the cit,
attorneyship. In their discussion the,
eliminate the legal aspect Of the case
confining the argument 10 whether. 4
he decides there is no law that compeli
his resignation, he should not resign
anyway.