Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-12-30


with magnificent silver service as an
evidence of the esteem and affection in
which he is held by the bar.
The ceremony occurred in the Court of
Appeals chamber at the city hall, the
dimensions of which were far too limited
to accommodate all those who sought ad-
mittance, although the room had been
cleared of tables and all other not needed
articles of furniture. The committee of
arrangements, of which Mr.. ]. Holdsworth
Gordon was chairman, and which included
Messrs. A. S. Worthington, J. J. Darling
ton. VIM. F. Mattingly, A A. Hoehling, jr.,
Benz. Minor, M. j. Colbert and Melville
Church, occupied seats in the front row.
Mr.. Chief Justice Alvey came to this
city from Hagerstown Md, on the train
that reached here at 12:40 o'clock. He
joined Associate Justices Morris and SheD-
ard at the city hall. Promptly at 8 Clock
the trio mounted the bench for holding
the final session of the Court of Appeals of
the District of Columbia as at present con-
. stituted.
After the crier had formally announced
the opening of court Mr.. William T. Mat
tingly, who had been selected the
spokesman for the bar, arose. and, adj
dressing Mr.. Chief Justice Alvey, said:
Mr.. Mattingly's Address.
ITO me, Mr.. Chief Justice, has been as
signed the pleasant duty of voicing the
feeling of the bar on your retirement from
the bench. Pleasant, because during your
more than a decade of service on the
bench nothing has occurred to mar the
harmony of feeling between bench and
bar. Pleasant, because growing inter-
course has tended to increased apprecia-
ton of those qualities of mind in you
which go to make up a great judge. You
came among US as the first chief justice of
pi1ati in,
not entirely a stranger, for we were al
ready somewhat familiar with the quaIifi-
cations of the judge through the decisions
of the court of appeals of our mother state,
over which you had so ably and so long
presided But when you came among us
as chief of this court there was brought
home to us knowledge of the fact that
this bench had for its chief one who from
experience and from long study, with
vigorous intellect, had acquired knowledge
of the sources of the law, who appreciated
that, in the language of Lord Coke, One in
the sunlight must descend deep in the well
of learning to view the bright stars of
knowledge overhead one whose object was
the ascertainment of truth, and who
brought to the attainment of that object
more than usual ability and no horror OF
work; one in whose hands the sword OF
Justice became staff upon which the in
nocent and those in whom the right was
could lean for support and rely upon Its
strength. Then, too, this occasion is
pleasant one because, aside from our pro-
found respect for the knowledge, learning
and ability of the judge, we realized that
the man was humane, kindly, genial, sym
pathetic; not only big-brained, but big
hearted; strong in the knowledge OF the
right, the true, the beautiful and the good
The judge won our respect; the man our
regard and affection.
HAs the shadows of our lives lengthen to-
ward the east I feel that We have keener
appreciation of the respect friendship, re-
gard and affection of those among whom
our life is cast than do those who are re-
ioicng in the vigor and confidence and
strength of self-reliant youth. 1t is this ap-
preciative feeling on the part or all or US,
old and young, am deputed TO express 10
your honor, and to assure you or IT'S truth
and depth, and, trust and know, helpful
ness
while we desire to give expression to
our great regret at your retirement from
judicial duties, yet we rejoice that you are
quitting the labor of life in the full possess
sion of all those faculties of mind and heart
which have rendered your life a useful one,
and will enable you to enjoy the balance
OF its span in the midst of friends and fam
lily and home.
"While regretting your departure. we feel
that we have cause for congratulation in
tine fact that the President, in the broad
ness of his makeup, in his desire to give
square DEAL has disregarded what might
have been deemed the demands of petty
politics, and promoted to your place one of
your learned associates on the bench, since
the organization of the court. who we feel
will profit by the example you have set.
THE bar, desiring to present you with
some permanent token and reminder of its
respect esteem and affection, now offers
you this service of silver, SO suggestive of
domestcity, the true happiness Of life, of
family, of friends, of hospitality and of
home. in the confident hope that you may
live in long enjoyment of its use. and that
1t may prove TO be a reminder to you and
yours and those of your blood who may
come after you of the respect, esteem and
love the bar of the District of Columbia
entertained for you.
May you realize
:" Age Is opportunity no less
Than youth itself. though In another Dress
And the evening twilight fades away,
The sky Is filed with stars invisible by day !"
Appropriately Inscribed.
The silver service, which cost $500, and
which was appropriately inscribed, was
then delivered to the recipient. Mr. Chief
Justice Alvey made an appropriate re-
Spouse.
Following the ceremony the retiring chief
justice babe farewell individually to most
of those In attendance.
Those present included the majority OF
the justices of the Supreme Court of the
District of Columbia, and Chief Justice
James McSherry of Frederick, Nd, of Che