The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1904-12-22
PARKER HONORED
BY new YORK BAR
Is Guest of Honor at Elaborate
Dinner
ELIHU ROOT MAKES SPEECH
Four Hundred and Fifty Prominent
Legal Lights Gather to Welcome
Judge Parker as One of
Their Number.
ELIHU ROOT MAKES SPEECH

New York, December 21.-Alton B. Par
ker, former chief justice of the court of
appeals and democratic candidate for the
presidency in the last campaign was the
guest Of honor at a dinner at the Wal
dorf-Astoria. The dinner was given by
the bench and bar of the city of New
York, and republicans and democrats
alike were present to honor the Justices
return to the practice of law. Among the
$50 who attended were many of the most
prominent members of the legal profess
sion In this city. Former Justice d. c.
Herrick was also a guest.
Justice Marian O. Brien of the appellate
division of the supreme court was the
presiding officer. The speakers included
former Governor f. S. Black, former
Secretary Of War Elihu Root, William S.
Hornblower and Judge Parker.
! The list of subscribers included nearly
all of the justices of the supreme court
and other courts of the city.
| Judge Parker was the center of a group
of well wishers during the greater part of
| the evening.
President of the United States, after
which he read a short letter of regret
| from presiding Judge Van Brunt of the
| appellate division, who was to have pre-
sided. In his opening address Justice
O'Brien expressed the hope that Judge
Parker had put aside the ermine for but
short time, and that he would wear it
| again.
| This is the OCCASION" he said in con-
clusion, "of honoring an honest judge,
who has filled his office to the greatest
of his ability"
| John b. Parsons was the next speaker.
Judge O'Brien then asked for a toast
to Judge Parker's professional long life
and happiness
1t was drunk with a cheer. When the
| judge rose to speak the diners arose,
waved handkerchiefs and eheered.
Judge Parker Speaks.
Judge Parker expressed his gratitude
to his hosts for the cordial welcome ex-
tended to him in becoming a member Of
the bar in this city. The notable absence
| of jealousy and the readiness of its mem
bers to recognize and applaud the worthy
| performances of each other were condi-
tions, he said, that have always made
the practice of the profession of law in
the city of New York exceedingly at
| tractive, and many have come here from
| other places, not only in anticipation of
the substantial rewards they might meet
with and in the hope of a wider scope
of active usefulness, but also to be as
ISOLATED with the traditions of the bar
| here and with the ambition to be en-
rolled in the ranks of its members.
| In speaking of the movement to elevate
the judiciary, Judge Parker said
tremendous strides have been made
in recent years in the direction of re-
electing, with the concurrence of both
parties judges worthy of our best tra-
ditions. The healthy public sentiment
on that subject which now prevails has
been mainly developed under the MEM
bers of the bar toward which the profess
sion of this city has contributed more
| than its quota"
In conclusion Judge Parker said:
II thank you for this kindly welcome to
| your ranks, and If while a member of the
| bench l succeeded in contributing In some
small degree toward the maintenance of
such judicial standard as we all would
| have, 1 beg you to regard it as an as
| surance Of an earnest desire on my part
to work side by side with you In your
efforts to- keep up the present high pro-
fessional standard which the bar en-
| joys as we'll as to uphold and strengthen
| our judiciary, whether local or state;
| judiciary to which we give unhesitatingly
| our confidence and Affection
Ellhu Root Speaks.
Elihu Root spoke in part as follows:
Upon the observation and experience
| of practice which must seem long to any
| but my leader, Mr.. Parsons, and out of
a full heart of friendship and warm re-
| gard for the guest we honor, it is
pleasure, more than pleasure, 1t is de-
Iterl.N = 4
| OF esteem we give him here. l can say
no interests. when committed to Judge
| Parker's hands, have not had just and
| upright consideration. We welcome him
| to our bar because we are proud of him,
and proud of our bar
ut Is no cause of regret that you
have laid down judicial honors to become
a member of the bar. The position you
| take now is one of no less opportunity
than the one you have resigned You
| will be engaged in the most ennobling
| occupation. You will not be asking for
favors, but demanding rights speaking
in the voice of the law, which is superior
t. all officers, all judges all powers, no
matter how great they may be.
| mo nobler office can be assumed by
any man than the great office you will
take. With all that my dear, Judge. we
wish you were judge again. We would
| wish you were judge again. We would
like to feel again the kindly gentle ma
| ture which all of us love in you. We wish
| you, with all our hearts, happiness, sue
| cess and a future which a man who does
his duty ought to have in freedom"
William b. Hornblower said in con-
| cluding his address.
| This is a remarkable tribute to Judge
| Parker as a man, as it comes from
men of both political parties after a hot
| campaign. 1t is unusual that after such
a campaign of turmoil we should come to-
| gether to honor him as a man."
Prominent Couple Is Married.