Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1902-05-16
JUDGE JOHN AV Is
MEMBERS OF BAR PAY. TRIBUTE
TO HIS MEMORY.
Appropriate Resolutions Reported
Eloquent Speeches Made by Dis
tinguished Lawyers.

Members of the bar who practice before
the United States Court of Claims gathered
today to do honor to the memory of the
late Judge John Davis. The court room
was well filed. Words of praise were spok-
en- of Judge Davis as jurist, as a lawyer
and as a man. Mr.. Louis A Pradt, assist
ant attorney general of the United States,
presided. and Mr.. Theodore J. Pickett acted
secretary.
A committee composed of Messrs. James
Lowndes Joseph X. McCammon, Frank w
Hackett John S. Blair and George A. King
was appointed to draft resolutions of re-
spect The committe retired to the judges
and. after deliberation, returned with
report. which. after a number of eulogfs-
tic speeches were made by friends of the
dead jurist, was adopted by standing
vote.
Committees Report.
Mr. Lowndes read the report. The pre-
amble. after reviewing the life of Judge
Davis. continued:
And while we record our testimony to
these paramount qualities of good Judge,
which he possessed. it becomes also To
speak OF those other lesser traits which
We're his and which contributed to the sue
cessful administration of justce-his UNI
failing courtesy his unwearying patience
and attention which never tagged"
The resolutions declared that, in the
death of Judge John Davis the United
States Court of Claims had lost an able
and faithful servant, the bar an admired
and hOnored brother and his friends a de-
lightful and beloved companion. 1t was
resolved that the report of the committee
be communicated to the Court of Claims,
with the request that they be spread upon
the minutes of the court and that a copy
be sent TO the family of Judge Davis.
Mr.. Lowndes. after reading the report,
asked permission to speak of Judge DAVIS
as he knew him personally. He said that
he first met Judge Davis in the heyday of
the latters youth and that the friendship |
then incurred had lasted until death.
Judge Davis charming personality, Mr. !
Lowndes said, made him the center of a
large and important group of friends even
In those younger days. The remarkable |
trait Of Judge Davis life. the speaker SAID,
was his almost universal popularity. His
love of his fellow men and his eXtraordl-
nary social tact were others.
Judge Davis never failed to do the right
thing" Mr.. Lowndes continued. He had a
kindly judgment of men. He had high |
standard of honor. He had scorn for
those things that are mean. When the
shadow of death crossed his path he
watched its approach with unfiinching
courage.
Mr.. Hackett's Tribute.
Former Assistant Secretary of the Navy
Frank W. Haekett followed Mr. Lowndes.
From youth. he said Judge Davis was the
exempliieation of the highest type of a
gentleman. Mr. Hackett knew him as a
boy when. in 1872. he was his way to
Europe to act as assistant to the represen-
tatives of the United States to the Geneva
tribunal, created to arbitrate the Alabama
claims. Mr.. Hackett was at the same time
on his way abroad private secretary to
Caleb Gushing. Mr.. Hackett spoke of !
Judge Davis great tact and ability in his
position and reviewed his life up to the
time of his death.
In the last ten days there has been an
81 of Mr
said. mot referring to the terrible calamity
at our very doors which has attracted the
interest of our entire country. In the lit
erary world, Stockton and Bret Harte. In
Congress the noble and genial Cummings
and two of his colleagues. Sampson, one of
the noblest and most courageous of naval
warriors.
Here In Washington the death of
Thomas Wilson has come to us as a shock
Within the last twenty-four hours the news
Of the death of Judge Andrew Bradley,
whom we all loved and respected. and Mr.
Riddle. who was district attorney and who
practiced with ability for so many years
among us. We cannot help being impressed
with the parting of those whom loved
and admired members of our profess
sion
Other Speakers.
Mr.. George A. King spoke feeingly Of
Judge Davis. as did also former Secretary
OF the Navy Hilary A. Herbert. The lat
ter said that he first met Judge Davis last
year at the baths of a European resort.
What impressed him most was the fact that
Judge Davis was the favorite of the people
from all parts of the world who congregated
there Later he came to know him more
intimately, and he entertained deep ad-
miration for the man for whom the bar
incurred.
Mr.. John B. Cotton reviewed the work Of
Judge Davis on the bench of the Court of
Claims. He said that. in his opinion the
opinion Of Judge Davis on the French
Spoltation claims ca Sc was his greatest piece
Of judicial work.
Judge Embry paid high and feeling
eulogy. He dwelt at length on the high
personal character and learning of Judge
Davis. He said that Judge Davis was a
model of knightly courtesy
Judge Howard, former assistant attorney
general. spoke feeIingly of Judge Davis and
Mr.. John S. Blair submitted letters written
by Mr.. ]. c. Bancroft Davis. an uncle of
the dead jurist, and Mr.. Wayne MacVeagh
former Attorney General of the United
States. Mr.. Davis, who is in feeble health
occasioned by his prolonged years, paid a
feeling tribute to his distinguished nephew,
and expressed his regrets that he was I'M
able 10 attend the meeting of the members
OF the bar. MIR. MacVeagh also expressed
regret that he could not be present.
The resolutions will be presented to the
Court of Claims on Monday. when members
OF the bar are requested to be present.
Some of Those Present
Mr.. Charles H. Cramp, head of the ship
building firm of that name. and who was
an Intimate friend of Judge Davis, was
present at the meeting. Among those of
the bar who attended. other than those al
ready mentioned. were Judge ". A Maury,
Judge Lander, C. w. Russell. Assistant At
torney General Thompson. Alexander Por-
ter Morse. John B. Thompson. John c.
Weed. J. W. Trainer. w. II. Robson Jas
H Hayden, Frank s. Bright, Frederick D.
Mckenney. jackson II. Ralston, John
Wharton Clark, w. B. King, p ]. Finn,
William l.. Harvey. Charles F. Kinchaeloa.
Henry VI FoOte, John q. Thompson, p. NJ.
Ashford, Franklin w. Collins, George NJ.
Anderson. Lincoln B. Smith, George H.
Walker. Col. Archibald Hopkins, clerk of
the Court of Claims, and the entire force
OF the clerks office.
"DEAD-WoOD" BILLS.