The Houston daily post. [volume] (Houston, Tex.) 1886-1903, 1902-06-20
PASSING OF JUDGE S. P. WEST

To the Editor of The Post
With the unexpected ,E passing Of Judge $ P West
ono Of the ables jursts in the State Of Texas
While he had some enemies, the heritage of all office
holders and politicians he had nevertheless drawn him
self during his long public service host Of warm friends
that will not soon forget him. His friends Of all poli
knew him and arc sad today because he is not
that persons lost sight his real WORTH
and perhaps could not discern the fact that he lacked
Most persons, however understood him we'll and loved
him all the more for that very reason
Many diamond has been untouched in the mine be-
greatest moals have paced off the stage Of human activity
and endeayor unbonoed least fifty rewarded for
the lack OF more thorough acquaintance.
He was not perfect as he often asserted but seems TO
faultess life any il has been good fortune to
know. He was patient and forbearng to degree rarely
really had was his great eniency seascrtion did not be-
long his nature Had he been sefwied there
lasting renown But his ways ways peace and chas
tity which under all circumstances gently ruled his acts
He deceit; he could appear a double role;
vexng political ordeas Just what he seemed to be- Like
the Perces of Northumberland his banner oated on the
To him parti9iy the vice of elective judiciary. was
o o babtng and neTnisn n6aenes as pos
be for Judge to be- Some lawyers taking advantage OF
seemed to gain an advantage over more dsned ones
but that merely seeming and not real Withal he had
the happy faculty of allowing practitioner to make
He belonged to clans he knew classes in the dis
OF official duty In his forum equality before the law
had fixed meaning The poor Jared quite well as the
rich Great wealth argued nothing lncorruptibe he heed
ed its alurements He heard the painve cries of pow
rety which argued quite powerfully the seductive APP
peas Nammon. Justice the keystone IN the arch
that spanned his official conduct
still another admirable trait in his official conduct was
latitude which he allowed aged practitioners in the pre-
sentation their Invariably attentive lawyers
seeming thoroughly know and appreciate their struggles
and pepleNes he especially quick TO discern the in
ftmes the aged among them, and this it to
adds much anything eta TO his illustrlous name
The Judge classical scholar, having been COM
such educational advantages existed III
this part OF during the oublous days of the civil
war being naturally bright and fond OF study and medi-
tatiou acquired good practical education and became
well informed all useful subjects He also studied law
many difficulties, being hampered by poverty and the
necessity labor and by dnt OF his native ability and en-
erey became proficient therein Indeed few lawyers III the
State ADLER than he and devoted to the pro-
civil he adrot and learned and roc
man to be dreaded. but his methods honorable.
1t Is noteworthy also that he entirely Tree from
osenaton cschewed pride and arrogance He lived
sror and like Epamnondas, the great Spartan he loved
his home the rarden and the
Although social disposition he adroity avoided the
convvaty The witchery OF the sparkling bowl
cuticed him not His conduct spoke in mistaken way
against saloons yet he waged against them having
no sympathy with the polite vices still! he did not openly
upbraid any But his life and conduct both as citizen
and official have spoken and yet shall speak in the hunders
OF the mountain against and and crime i'll all their
! hideous forms and phases.
And SO was the and just; and he lived; and so
he died His example is worthy OF emulation Tor all time
to MATT 49, 'EN'
Beaumont Texas