The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1903-06-24
THE BARS TRIBUTE
Resolutions Adopted by Law
ysrs on Death of Judge John


Career - Jurist and Statesman :
Judge Masen's Tribute.
At a meeting of the Bar Associa-
tion Of Monongalia County, held this
morning the following was submitted
by the committee heretofore appoint
ed, and unanimously adopted, with a
request that the same be entered up
on the records OF the Circuit Court of
this county:
The members OF the Monongalia
County Bar hereby express their un-
feigned sorrow at the passing away Of
one of their oldest and most distin-
guished members, the Honorable Okey
johnson, whose death occurred In the
City Of New York, on the 10th inst.
After q long life Of laborious ac-
tivity, during which be had filled
many responsible public positions with
honor to himself and to the State,
achieved success and distinction In
bis chosen profession, and endeared
himself to his colleagues Of the bar
and wide circle of friends by his
many engaging qualities Of mind and
heart, be suddenly ceases from bis la
bors. his robust and manly frame Is
Frustrated with disease, he responds
to the universal call, his place among
US is forever vacant, and we mourn
bis departure a. public bereavement.
We are moved, 10 this hour, to rec
ord our high appreciation of the work
~ bfa 1eo nd The In, v,roco ~ biu oh =
acter and career as a brother In the
profession and a fellow citizen. There
is no need that we should attempt to
perpetuate the memory of his public
services, they are part OF the history
of the state. From its formation as
an independent state, he has helped
to make its laws, to shape its policy,
to found its situations, and to give d.
rection and character to it's develop
ment as one OF the units of our nation
al organization. But it was chiefly Ia
the line of his profession and the direct
WORK Of the practical lawyer that his
lifs's labor was centered aud his prin-
cipal work was done. He was an
earnest and effective advocate, elo-
quent before jury, strong and force
ful In his manner and methods Of
managing case, believing intensely
In the cause of his client, determined
and tenacious Of his rights until the
court OF last resort had spoken, and
possessing Ia q remarkable degree the
traits and resources of the successful
trial lawyer. And we, of one accord,
will grant that he was ever generous
to his adversary, courteous and con-
siderate to his colleagues In all the
varying heat and strife Incident to the
legal forum.
As presiding judge of the highest
court OF the state for twelve years,
be has made for himself permanent
memorial IN our judicial literature,
which will be read and studied as a
guide and exponent Of the principles
of the law to generations yet to come.
We believe 1t to be the judgment Of
the profession that his work as
Supreme Judge compares favorably
with that of the able men who have
heretofore occupied this high and re-
sponsible situation, and that In this
the most exalted and trying field of
labor to which lawyer or citizen is
ever called he stood the test without
reproach from any quarter and sus-
tained himself with credit and honor,
which isithe highest praise from a pro-
fessional standpoint, that his compeers
could accord him.
1t was fitting, too that the closing
years of his life that had been devoted
TO his profession, should have been
given to the young men who are as
piring to bis place In the ranks, and
that here be should finish out life of
toll and active conflict and pass peace
fullyto h Is reward.
He was kindly nature, full of gen.
erous impulse; warm and cOnflding
toward his friends; only momentarily
hostile, and ever forgiving toward bis
enemies; socially magnetic and conspi-
cuous In whatever circle he moved;
his life reflects honor upon bis State,
upon his profession; upon his Church,
to which he was devoted, upon his
family and upon his own name as a
representative citizen among his chos-
en- people.
And we desire that the records Of
this court shall carry this expression
Of our high appreciation Of the deceas-
ed as man, a distinguished citizen
and brother lawyer.
The court ordered the action of the
Bar Association, In which the Judge
Of the court concurred, to be entered
as a part of the records of this court.
10 directing that this memorial be
entered as part of the records of the
court, Judge Mason called attention
to the fact that Judge johnson was
one Of that rare class OF men who de-
vote themselves to public duties often
at the sacrifice of private interests.
Such man were to be found more fire.
quently in the past generations,
but in the present day, they are rarely
met with.
Judge johnson devoted nearly all
OF his life to public affairs, to the pa
triotic performance Of what he con-
sidered his duties to his state and
country. He served In the most ex-
halted positions for compensations
barely sufficient for his needs. he