Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1908-07-21
Judge w. c.. Silverthorn.


There has been considerable said in
the newspapers the past week about
Judge w. C. Silvershorn resigning as
! Judge of the Sixteenth judicial circuit.
Some of the papers have stated that he
was going to resign and others that he
had already resigned. There was no
truth in the latter announcement
1t has been rumored that Mr. Silver
thorn would, perhaps. step out of the
Office of Judge Of this circnit, by resig-
nation at the end of the present year,
and this has given rise to the various
| statements which have been published.
He was asked by PILOT reporter early
last week if there was any foundation
for the rumor and replied in language
substantially the same as given out by
him and published in the Milwaukee
Sentinel of yesterday, viz
:" lave for some time considered re-
! signing and several justices of the Wis
consin supreme court advised me that
if felt | must resign, it would be fair
thing to so advise the members of tn 9
bar in my circuit so that they might
cast around for suitable material for my
successor. 1t was such intmation to
the bar that brought out the premature
and false report that had resigned.
81 have set no time in my intimation
to the bar, when would leave my work.
The nearest have ever said was that
might do so soon, which indicates no
particular time. There is session of my
court coming in September and l may
or may not preside, as | see fit later
My definite announcement of resigna-
ton will not be made to anyone
but to Gov. Davidson, who is entitled
to first knowledge"
In accordance with the above, Judge
Silverthorn went to Madison yesterday
to see Governor Davidson and, per-
haps, to place his resignation in his
hands. He was accompanied to
the capital by l.. A. Pradt and w. H.
Mylrea. Just when Judge Silver
thorn's resignation will take effect is
not known at this time.
There are a number of men in the
crcuit-comprising Marathon, Lincoln,
Oneida and Villas counties whom
friends would like to see succeed Judge
Silverthorn, but from present indica-
tions it would appear that the bar will
unite on Alexander H. Reid, of Merrill;
in sach case Gov. Davidson would, no
doubt, appoint him for the unexpired
term.
Judge Silverthorn has been a resident
of Wausau for nearly half a century,
coming here a young lawyer, directly
from the University of Wisconsin. He
was eminently successful in his law
practice which was not confined to
Wausau and Marathon county, but ex-
tended to all parts of the state. His
ability brought him into prominence,
not only as an attorney but in politics
as well. For many years he was district
attorney of our county and has at var
ious times represented this district in
the assembly and state senate. In 1896,
he was nominated for governor of Wis
consin by the democrats and ran 10000
ahead of his ticket. He was appointed
Judge of this, the Sixteentb judicial cir
cult by Gov. Scotield in 1898 to succeed
Judge G. V. Bardecn, upon the latter's
election to the supreme court.
1t would require many columnso of the
PILOT to tell of the very active life of
Judge Silverthorn during his long resi-
dence in Wausau and of the many
things to which he has devoted his ener-
gies and means to assist in making
Wausau the progressive city it is today
and placing Marathon county among
the best in the state, suffice it 10 say
that he has always been leader in
everything which has tended to the adj
vancement and good of our county and
city, and, in fact, of the state and coun-
try in general.
The PILOT cannot refrain from ex-
pressions of regret that Judge Silver
thorn is to leave the judicial bench
where he has been so long as learned,
just aad much honored official We
have no knowledge or intimation of
what he will do on retiring from the
bench, we do know, however, that he is
still very active and capable man
and at all times and wherever he may
be placed, ready for any emergency.
The PILOT hopes that Judge Silverthorn
will continue in his activity in Wausau
for many years to come and it will ever
follow him with its best wishes.
Steel Operation Increases
1t can now be said that the United