The Clarksburg telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1874-1926, 1904-12-16

tirement From the Bench in Harrison
county-spscial Term Closes.
Judge John w Mason closed the
special term of circuit court in this
city Tuesday afternoon which was the
completion OF his work in tha judi.
J cial corcuit.
Judge Mason, during his term OF of.
flee as Judge Of the circuit court of
Harrison county not only endeared
himself TO the members OF the bar
but he commaned the esteem and re-
spect Of every litigant that came be.
fore him and IT is with a feeling OF re-
greet that Judge Mason will no longer
preside over the circuit court OF this
county.
On Monday the local bar held a
well attended meeting and adopted 1T
ting resolutions paying high tribute
to Judge Mason as jurist
The resolutions were presented to
the court Tuesday forenoon by fancy
Harrison. in an appropriate address,.
In response to the resolutions Judge
Mason made a touching and apprecia.
tive address, stating that he had none
but the very kindliest feelings for
every member of the bar and was
proud to say that not a single mem.
Der had attempted to take advantage
of him during his term OF office. He
also expressed regret that the pleas
ant relations that had existed between
himself and the members of the bar
had come to close in an official
way.
The resolutions are as follows:
This being the last term of the cir
cult court at which his honor, Judge
John w. Mason will preside as the
Judge Of this judicial circuit and the
Bar of Harrison county deeming it to
be fit and appropriate to give some ex-
preston of their esteem and regard
for the high character and ability of
Judge Mason since he has been the
presiding judge of this circuit, adopt
the following resolutions:
Resolved. The Bar of Harrison coun-
ty regret the severance of the rela.
tions between themselves and Jugde
Mason as the presiding Judge of this
circuit. During his term of service
Judge Mason has presided over the
court with great dignity and courtesy,
and has won for himself the good
opinion of the entire Bar, for his
learning, fairness and impartiality in
the dispatch of business in his court.
In all OCCASIONS he has been kind and
courteous to the members of the Bar,
and has inspired on the part of the
Bar courtesy and respect for himself,
as well as towards each other, and
has done much to elevate the tone of
the Bar and secure the observance of
orderly procedure in the trial of
causes in his court. While we have
had occasion at times to differ from
his rulings. we havenever had reason
to believe that he was not entirely
honest in his opinions. and striving
to do the right as he saw it. and with
a view solely to promote the ends of
justice. He has sought to enforce the
| law fairly. and without fear or favor;
to punish the guilty and protect the
innocent. and to inculcate reverence
and respect for law as the supreme
duty of all good citizens. without
which there can be no orderly govern
ment or security for life or property
In parting with Judge Mason as the
Itslge of this circuit we feel that those
fntc:ee.e,l IN fusiciM proceedings in
his circuit have lcst tho services OF an
abb c~nscienticus and upright iudc
and wc assure him that in retiring
from the bench here to assume the du-
ties in another circuit. he will carry
with him our warmest regards and
best wishes in the new circuit over
which. by the favor of his fellow
citizens. he has. been called to pre-.
side.
Resolved. That a copy of these res }.
lutions be furnished Judge Mason by
the clerk of this court. and that the
same be spread upon the records of
the court, and likewise published in
the newspapers Of this county.
JNo. ]. DAVIS,
WILLARD F. SNYDER,
TANEY HARRISON.
Committee.