The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1904-02-03
JUDGE WEXFORD / { !
HQN0RED BY BAR

HUNUREU BY BAK
tcontinued from First rase)
conscientious zeal unsurpassed and rare
IN eu,ialed, sat tho bcitcli or Rchmoi'd,
horored himself aid doing honor to ms
.l,ltll office. 10 tho service Of l,is State
lid brought ripe wisdom uiid tried on
pcricnco that III tho exercise OF MS cal.
Ing was notably evident IN his cVery
act. III this service tile best years OF
Ills life slowly, but frtltfully, assoc
away, and he nov, stands aged ana leg
ble, at tho fnrthcr9cnd q his I'ithMa y.
III this titno tbf Ills dcrllning strength
lie bids farowtll to those who have gfat'l-
cred around Fin in Tho past.
s,,rh was tbs occasion that called INTO
being tic great. and Il, many respects,
ron,arkab,,, gathering Of last night II,
the BANQUET halt of The Westmorelflnai
Club there assembled tho entire bar OF
Richmond ard tbs most prominent fig-
tires or tho Judiciary Among them were
some who were born and who had grown
to manhood during tho terms Of tho AGED
Judge. rho majority l,ud begun INC
practice Of their profession after ihe Us rs
cended the bench. a few, llke hiihsoli'
wcrc Of contemporary birth aflt SIM
larry long experience. They als sa'Il-
cn,d alike to pay this final tribute TO one
whom they knew and loved as TREND
and esteemed and reverenced as q judge.
Rare oratory dlgniflcd the event IN Q
degnse not often witnessed. The aged
iurst himself spolse-touchlnsly and tetl-
ingly. Prominent moinbcrs OF tho Rich-
mond bar added their voice to the pre-
walking sentiment of the evening. sov-
oral speeches were delivered IN tlls
manner and one of them--by Judge s, 3.
witt, OF tha Hastings Court-was n gem
that swept tho audience off Its feet.
Another gifted speaker performed in ~
manner equally fclcltous the particular
event OF tho evenng-the presentation
to this judge of a handsome silver pitcher
aud waiter. Then, after all .eas done'
the congratulations of tho day and the
best wishes OF the clay to come were
showcrcd ,,pon the guest 1t was all
peasant and smooth and happy and
heartfelt i
A Brilliant Scene.
Tho scene In the banquet hall was
brilliant and striking. Under the bright
glare Of a mpriad lights sat the dis
bar of Richmond, and no
table gathering OF guests specially in
vted. Three long tables ran the entire
length Of the big room. while ut the
end stood another facing the
heads OF tho other three. Around the
festive board, decorated with ferns and
fragrant carnations werc assembled hun
dreds Of gentlemen, prominent In tho
city's business and political life.
At tho head of tho hall were gathered
tho notables Of the evening. The dis
tinguished guest of honor sat with the
Governor of Virginia upon his right and
the president OF tho bar. his successor
in office, at his other hand. In the seats
rear were some Of the most marked fig
uros of Richmond and Virginia life
prominent lawyers and distinguished
members of the judiciary. All sought
with one earnest accord to DO honor
to tho gray-haired veteran, VINO, Win
much of his old time vigor, stood and
smoke his farewell to his friends and
colleagues.
Is sumptuous banquet was served, and
while through tho doorways floated the.
straina Of sweet music, that was sott
and beautiful from It's concealed source,
all was bright and merry around the
festive board.
Judge SCOTS Address.
When the last course had been. served,
tho sharp rap nf the president called TO
the gracious matter; in hand the wonder
Ing attention Of the chattcrinG, smoking
crowd. Amid a sudden silence, Judge
Scott arose and iii choice words, spoke
his pleasure and the pleasure OF INC
bal lie represented in the opportunity
the occasion offered to do honor TO- one
SO richly worthy Of the respect and es-
teen Of his fellows,
1t is fitting and happy coincidence
that this pleasant task shall have been
performed by the man who succeeded
to the scat upon the bench vacated BY
Judge Wcllford.-the Hon. Carter Scott,
president of the Bar Association of Rich
mond, Judge Scott Is q delicious speaker.
and as postmaster he presided ably and
we'll. In Ills Introductory speech that leu
up to the presentation Of Mr.. w. R.
Meredith, he referred TO the long line OF
notable jurists who have distinguished
tho bench of Richmond, ana particularly
those who had preceded Judge Wexford
in tho Circuit Court.
TRIBUTE TO MEREDITH
Then. continuing. he said, speaking OF
Judge Meredith:
OF Judge Meredith it has been we'll and
truly said by one who knew him long and
WE'LL the Hon. John Randolph fucker
that whether in private.llte, t.the , nar'
or ON the bench. he WAS always every
where and in tho highest sense. a tgentle-
man; genial and affable in nature. con-
sidcrate and gentle In manners. scrupu-
2 lOCS III duty ana nOHOidUlc III }cNSi! ~
stinct OF his soul. he was type OF the
best gentlemen OF Virginia. AS a Judge
he was careful. though not slow, n ms
mental work. but ever cautious lest IN
due promptncss might lead to error III
his Judgment. His search for truth was
Jealous and conscientious. In his Judicial
action ho felt neither fear nor favor
though he WIS sensitively apprehenslve
lest Inc should do injustice. and keenly
alive to reaching the right In every case.
His clear and discriminating nina. hia
diligcnt study of the law OF Ills case, ms
sound Judgment, when fully possessed OF
facts aud law, were SO combined With y
suavIty OF temper. dignity Of manners
and innate sense Of the prophecies ~
every condition as to make him a most
admirable Judge
rhe committee in charge of this occa
sion have most wisely, ana ! know g
your great pleasure, selected the talented
son OF this great judge to present TO oui
much beloved guests some testimonlal 81
the love and affection the bal. of TINS Guy
has and will ever have for him.
1t gives mo pleasure to present 70 y9u
the Hon Wyndham Robertson Meretslh
Mr., Meredith's Speech.
Amid a chorus of applause Mr., Mereditl
arose and performed the gracious tasR
assigned to him. He spoke With his GUS
tomary eloduencc and effect Hc SAID y
part.