The Lexington intelligencer. [volume] (Lexington, Mo.) 1901-1949, 1909-06-26
Judge Emmett FIELD.

service. He had been on the Circuit
bench here ever since the early
eighties when be succeeded Judge
Sites. He had served continuously
ever since. he was an old Roman of
the Democratic faith. He was
perhaps the most honored and most
respected man on the bench in Ken
lucky. His decisions we're recognize
ed as the law. Perhaps the most
notable decision of his life was his
celebrated opinion in the Goebel-
Taylor election case, the Kentucky
Court of Appeals and the United
States Supreme Court sustaining
every point Of law he laid down.
No man was wider known 10 the
State as a jurist than Judge Emmett
Field, and he was authority on all
questions in common pleas law He
<bad made his branch of the law
,5pecial study and the public had been
getting the benefit of his labors for
years. He never stopped with half
way knowing a thing. When
question presented itself he wen. to
the very bottom OF 1t, and when an
opinion came it was one that received
the respect of all attorneys
Lawyers regarded him as absolutely
fair in every particular and his
decisions were also regarded as being
law and Justice from every view
point.
Judge Field first became a candi-
date TOR Chancellor In 1880 against
the late Judge l. h Edwards and
Alex.P. Humphrey. He was de-
feated by Judge Edwards for the po-
sition and later served as special
Judge for about one year or NOR e
for Judge Sites who was disabled.
He was elected to the judgeship OF
Common Pleas bench of the Jetfer-
son Circuit Court in 1886 and was
reelected in 1892, 1897 and 1908
He was also a candidate fol
reelection at the time of his death
and would undoubtedly have received
the Democratic nomination for the
place at the convention which is t.
convene on July 2.
Something that showed how Judge
Field was esteemed by the cit zens
of the city and county is shown in the
fact that he was offered the nomina
tion for the same place not Ions
since by the Republican party o
Louisville, but true to his party anC
his sentiments as man, Judge FielC
refused the nomination at the hands
OF the Republican party, stating tina
he preferred to receive the nomina
tion at the hands of the party who hat
honored him SO long. His letter de
cllning the nomination at the hand
of the Republicans was couched il
the finest of terms, and he treate'
!, the offer with the utmost deferenc'
and courtesy. This fact wa
brought out in the convention of tn
Republican party in May when tn
city and county tickets we're nomi
mated.
1t was generally believed that Judg
Field would be one of the the strong
est if not the strongest man on the
Democratic ticket to be named mex
month. He would have had no OF
position for the place.
Judge Field never entertained an
high political ambitions. he was i
loye with his profession and the benc
and always appeared to be satishe
to stick to his last. He woul'
have been almost invincible for an
honor he might have sought befor
the people. Senatorships, governor
ships, or higher places on the benc
never appealed to him. He live
quietly, plainly and modestly 3
attended few public functions an
preferred tospend all Of his time 0
the bench with his family. Jude
Field was not man of means. 4
was a man Of high ideals and lived a
exceedingly exemplary and NOR
= life.
Judge Field was an elder in II
Crescent Hill Presbyterian churS
and took deep interest in churS
affairs.
Never in his whole career on Il
bench was Judge Field ever suoie
ted to any adverse criticism. Whe
ever he decided case litigants al
lawyers appeared to accept what
said as the law. a notable tnstan.
Of this feeling was shown When
decided the Goebel. election conte
cases. Notwithstanding the inten
and bitter feeling Judge Fields de'
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