The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1907-05-17
In Memory of the Late Judge Jones.

In Memory of the Late Judge Jones.
The Court of Appeals suspended the hear
ing of arguments in cases at o CLOCK "eo-
nesday afternoon and paid tribute to the mem
ory of the late Judge /. Thomas Jones. OF
Howard county. Upon the conclusion of the
ceremonies. which occupied about halt an
hour. the court adjourned for the day out OF
respect to the memory of Judge Jones. Judge
Jones died in January last, but owing TO the
illness of Chief Judge McSherry and Judge
Henry Page action upon the death OF Judge
Jones was delayed.
The Judges on the bench at Wednesday 8
ceremonies were Judges John T. briscoe, act
ing chief Judge; A. Hunter Boyd, n. Charles
Burke, Samuel d. Schumacher, James A..
Pearce and John G. Rodgers.
Resolutions in behalf of the members OF the
bar we're presented in an address by Attorney
General William S. Bryan, Jr.. and addresses
highly eulogistic of the deceased jurist were
made by Estate Senator John Writ Randall.
of Annapolis, and Mr.. F. Neal Parke, of this
city. -,
The following eloquent address was deliv-
cred by Mr.. F. Neal Parke:
The ways of death are ruthless and unre-
hitting, and yet when it claimed L. Thomas
Jones death had but seldom caused wider
circle of regret or produced so instantly and
spontaneously more heartfelt and warm ex
preston Of sympathy and admiration. For
such an outpouring of tribute, rare quailhe.s
were indispensable. And while these quail
ties were freely accorded in life, yet death
ever "open the gate to good fame;" and now
more clearly they stand forth in truer, holder
relief, challenging our attention and compell-
ing our applause.
|. Thomas Jones was compact OF virtues
symmetrically developed and in harmonious
operation. In him were perfectly blended
fairness to enemies, loyalty to friends and un.
selfish devotion to family. His unaffected
simplicity of life; his habitual and quiet self
denial; his unchanging honesty, steadfastness
in conviction and resolution; his devotion 10
principle, unhinching courage: and his candid,
generous and truthful nature set him apart;
vet, gracious and courteous to all conditions
of men, social in his instincts and genial and
democratic in manner, |. Thomas Jones had
the happiness of being at once revered and
beloved.
In this presence, no added words need be
spoken of the appellate work of the dead
iurist His deliberate and laborious attention
to each case; his painstaking examination,
and conscientious weighing and balancing OF
facts; and his sound and informed application
of legal principles are sufficiently evidenced
by the reports of this learned tribunal.
Yet these volumes but too nadequately por.
tray his work as Judge. The traditions and
influence of this august body are too exalted
and bear too spotless fame TO find complete
expression in the written word. Anlmatlng,
vivifyng and giving living spirit to the body
of our cases is the allegiance of our judges to
those eternal laws of justice whose "seat is the
bosom of Cod and whose acceptable minis
tiers are those enforcing right under the gov
eminent of reason and the guidance of honor,
duty and morality. 1t is the possession of
these attributes by our judges which has
securely placed the courts of Maryland in the
pride. affection and confidence of our people,
and which has borne litigation alolt from the
dust of conflict to the serene and cold atmos-
phere of the impartial administration OF jus.
tice.
And ojudge ever more worthily maintained
the traditions and influence of the Bench than
l. Thomas Jones. He was firm, attentive.
fearless, diligent and considerate in the per-
Torrance of his high duties; and he presided
with such benignity and evenness OF temper,
such graciousness of manner; with such illum.
mating common sense, such conspicuous devo.
ton to law, equity and morality, and with such
unyielding adherence to conviction that no
sutton ever found cause for resentment; no
lawyer rancor in defeat Beggary and riches,
rank and obscurity; power and weakness took
on equality before him, and equal and exact
Justice to all was done soberly, orderly and
measuredly, without Partially and undeterred
by fear of consequences or detected by hope
of reward and popular approval.
Infexbility rooted in honor; faithful to
duty, and guided by conscience alone, l.
Thomas Jones was in life the exemplar of
right living, and in death bestows upon the
Bar of Maryland the precious inheritance OF a
noble life whose memory shall be cherished
and whose virtues shall be the measure of our
aspirations.
Judge John P. Briscoe, acting chief judge
in the absence of Chief Judge McSherry,
spoke for the court in response to the resolu.
ton and addresses. Among other things he
said
Judge Jones was truly painstaking and
conscientious judge. His opinions in the vol
umes of reports of this court are clear exposi.
tons of the subjects discussed by him. They
will ever stand as testimonial of his faithful
work on the bench. He was a man of kindly
and sympathetic feelings, of deep convictions,
charitable judgment and unquestioned integ-
rity. He was distinguished not only for his
abilities as lawyer, but was an accomplished
and Christian gentleman"
Similar ceremonies to the memory of the
late Judge William Sheppard Bryan, formerly
of the Court of Appeals, were held yesterday