The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1907-11-29
JUDGE ALDRICH RESIGNS.
Tenders Resignation on Account OF
Health-Oldest Circuit Judge IN
the State.

the State.
Columbia, Nov. 26.-Gov. Ansel to-
dav received the resignation OF Judge
James Aldrich, which, he explains
was rendered on the advice OF his
physicians on account Of his ta1hng
health He is the oldest judge on the
circuit bench and succeeded his un-
Gle. JUDGE A. P. Aldrich. The leg
islature will elect his successor.
The State Of Wednesday has the
following to say Of Judge Aldrleh:
James Aldrich, for IS years CIR
cult Judge and one Of the ablest law
vers Of the old school, yesterday sent
to Gov. &nsel his resignation, be-
cause of continued i'll health. The
RESIGNATION means that an election
will have to be held~at the coming
session of the general assembly to
fill the vacancy in the second judi
cial circuit.
The resignation Of James Aldrle1
and his retirement from the bench
will be received with universal regret
bv every lawyer in the state and not
only by the members of the protes-
sion, but by laymen as well. fhose
who have come in contact with him
remember mis- uniform courtesy, his
knowledge of the law and his con-
scientious devotion to duty aad JUS
tice. Judge Aldrieh is a brilliant
conversationlist and has wondeFtul
store of anecdotes.
For the past II months he has been
I'm failing health and some weeks ago g
sl 1t beea s7hs h.1n as1s. e
take charge of tne fifth circuit he
asked that a substitute be appointed
Temporarily. When it became sv1-
dent that he would be unable to re-
sumo work at the beginning OF the
coming year he wrote Gov. Ansel a
letter of resignation, stating that the
arduous duties of the bench would
not, in his present condition, permit
min, to continue and he therefore
wished to create a vacancy before
the coming session of the general as
sembly in order that 1T might be tlli-
ed without delay.
Judge Aldrich is of family OF
distinguished lawyers. He is in his
5sth year and his father before him
was one of the leading attorneys OF
the Aiken-Barnwell section. He
graduated at Washington and Lee
university in 1872 and served in the
house Of representatives from 1878 to
1881 and from 1888 to 1889. In that
year he was elected judge Of the sec-
ond circuit and has served continual
" since then, being the oldest IN
service among the circuit judges.
Judge Aldfich succeeded his uncle,
Alfred P. Aldricn, and donned the
robe at court in Anderson. At that
time Gov. Ansel was solicitor and,
as mentioned by his excellency yes
terday, arrangements had been made
TO carry over one criminal case IN or,
der that the new judge might take,
as it we're. "his first degree.' In
company with the retiring judge, the
sheriff and Solicitor Ansel, Judge
Aldrich went to the court mouse and
after a brief Introductory and con-
gratulatory speech, the new judge
took charge and heard the first case
Civil court was convened on the same
dav ard since then there have been
yerv few cases in the circuit OF
James Aldrich that he did not hear
Therefore when the news of MS re-
signstion was made public yester-
dav th7~e was universal regret not
onlv BY the local bar, but by the Wis
ting members. who are here for sI'-
preme court. It was agreed that ms
successor will have nigh standard
TO maintain ard in selecting him the
genarcj assembly will bear this IN
mind.