The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-01-23
THE PASSING OF STAFFORD
COUNTY COURT.
Resolutions TO Judge r. n. L. Chieh :
ester-His Response.

estsr-Hls Response.
Judge A. +. Embrey was selected by
the members OF the bar OF Stafford to
present suitable resolutions on the end
ing Of the court Wednesday asa ttstlmC-
nial To Judge Il. h. l. Chichester. Alter
complimentary remarks as to the ELI
cheney of the ju ige and the happy rela-
tions existing between Judge and AttOr'
ney, Judge Embrey stated that voicing his
own sentiment he had no regret u ex'
press that IA asystem the County courts
would go out OF existence. He jlceiyed
IL to be an anomalous condition, that "A
court which had jurisdiction OF liberties
and even rights of citizens OF county
should not by law begiyen original iuris-
diction to try the title of a horse or to
enforce the collection ola grocer bill, and
he thought that any court which
could safely be entrusted TO pass upon
the liberty and lives OF the people should
likewise be entrusted TO settle the prop
erty rights of the same citizens. The
Legislatures OF the past had seen tit To
give the County courts criminal luIisdic-
ton 10 all matters, but had not conferred
upon them civil jurisdiction, except in
the most trivial matter and upon ap-
peals from the Magistrates courts. and
be WAS glad that IA system OF this kind
would give place on the first OF February
TO new system OF courts, having full
jurisdiction OF not only the lives and lib
erty, but OF the property rights Oi the
citizens.
At this January term, 1904, OF the
County Court OF Stafford county, the bar
OF the said court desire to express the r
appreciation of the ability, integrity and
impartiality OF the Judge of the said
court, the Hon r. H. l.. Chichester, aOd
to thank him for his never failing pa
thence. Kindness and courtesy in all the
relations between the bench aud the bar,
and for his impartial administration OF
that Justice with which the administra
ton Of the law always and every where
commands the respect OF free and en-
lightened people.
The bar ask that this expression OF its
sentiment be communicated to the hon
urable court, with the request that the
same be entered on the court order book.
JUDGE cHIcHEsTER's REPLY.
| wish | could appropriately thank
you for these resolutions which you have
adopted, "a well as express any graft
/ tude for the kind expressions with which
You have rendered them through your
| spokesman, Judge Embrey; but there are
occasions in our lives when the emotions
which surround US deprive liz OF adequate
language with which to express our ieel-
/ ings. The severance OF relations which
to me have always been cordial and
pleasant, communication from those
| from whom communication means 40
much, and the passing OF a time-hon-
ored institution, which for more than a
century has been near and dear to the
people OF the Commonwealth, arouse
within me conflicting emotions OF pleas
ure and regret Ii Is indeed an Infinite
pleasure to me TO know that you, the
members OF the bar and the Ollie re 81
this court, who are competent to irdge,
have placed upon my service here, as
Judge of this court, the seal OF your ap'
probation and enforcement. may Id
that whatever measure OF success has
attended my efiorts has been in part, al
least. due to the support, encouragement
and help have at all times had from
the members OF this bar, the court Off
GERS. and, indeed, from all the good peo
pie OF this county. shall always retain
q pleasant recollection OF this incident IL
today's proceedings and it will afford az
incentive To me in the future TO live mp tC
the estimation which you have placed
upon my efforts in the past.