Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-02-06
Brief Sketch Of Brilliant
Career Of James E.
Rabb

His early days were spent on a
farm. From there he went to Whip
pie academy and Illixaois college, from
which Institution he was graduated In
1882. In May, 1882 Mr.. Babb was
chairman of the meeting at Indianapo-
lis which organized the intercollegiate
press association for the six central
Estates.
Two years later he completed the
law course at the Union Law college
in Chicago. There the highest honor
IN that institution for the senior year
was divided between himPelf. the
youngest man IN the class, and a man
who had been valedictorian at Yale.
Commissioner for Examinations.
Mr.. Babb practiced law in Chi
cago until 1892. when he removed to
Lewiston, Idaho. and since then has
been in the active practice Of law
here.
His FIRST case before the United
States courts was at the age Of -.
He then prepared the successful
brief which was the next year ap-
pealed to the supreme .cour. of the
United States.
In 1889 Mr.. Babb was appointed by
the Appellate court Of Illinois as
commissioner OF candidates for ad-
mission to the bar.
Soon after this he was appointed
Instructor upon the law Of sales OF
personal property in the law depart
ment Of the law school from which he
graduated.
The duties OF the position did not
prevent Mr.. Babb from continuing the
practice of law.
Delivers Notable Speech.
On coming to Idaho he entered up
on the practice Of law in ali the courts
of Idaho and Washington. also be-
fore the United States courts in both
Of those states. and in the United
States circuit court OF appeals at
San Francisco.
Mr.. Babb is member of the State
Bar association, and was the orator
upon the Tooth anniversary of the ac-
cession of John Marshall to the United
States supreme court in the meeting
of the State Bar on that occasion.
The address, with IS others deliver
ed in different states on that occa-
sion, have been published in three
volumes by Hon. J. F. Dillon.
Mr.. Babb is president of the State
Bar association of Idaho. He is also
a member of the American Bar associ-
alton, American Historical associa-
ton American Politica, association.
tional Municipal league and was ar
attendant at the last worlds congress
of lawyers. where he procured the
adoption of a resolution for a better
exchange Of law publications among
the nations
Public Spirited Man.
Mr.. Babb has taken a prominent
part in all matters Of public interest,
both in state and city affairs. He
has given freely and cheerfully large
portions Of time. whenever needed, to
measures for the interest Of state and
local matters.
The Lewiston supreme court build
ing. together with the law library, are
largely the result Of his energy also
the provision in tire city charter
which enabled 1t to provide means to
take advantage Of the Carnegie do
nation and the provision for the Lew
iston State Normal school library
fund.
The decisions Of the courts where
MI Babb has practiced show the re-
suits of his careful ana painstaking
effort
In 1895 he was president Of the
state republican convention. This
was period when republicans were
scarce and when difficulty was ex-
perienced In maintaining a republic
can organization in the state and in
several counties IN the state
Statesman Of Broad Guaae.
He has frequently spoken from the
stump IN the interests NJ his party.
but always on the lines Of broad
statesmanship.
Recently. as the president Of the
Bar association. Mr. Babb has pre-
pared an able document. suggesting
to the bar Of the state and to the iegis-
iature now IN session. valuable rec
concentrations for the amendment Of
Of the constitution ana statutes Of the
state
NJ. Babb has several times declined
urRsnt olRsss q ne hands q his par.