The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1909-03-17
The Late JudgeP. Smith
Highly ExtOlled.
THE RESOLUTIONS ADOPTED.
The Members Of the Wayne and
Lackawanna Bar pay a Rare
Tribute to our Former
TOwnsman.

A meeting of the Lackawanna bar as
sociation was held on Wednesday after
noon last in the main court room in
Scranton, to honor the memory of the
late Hon. Peter p. Smith.
On motion of Judge Kelly. Judge
Edwards was chosen chairman, and on
motion of w. j. Hand, R. J. Murray
was chosen secretary. A committee
composed OF D. J. Reedy, Judge Kelly
and Cornelius Comegys was named by
the chairman to draft resolutions.
While this committee was at its work,
remarks were made by Col. F. j. Fitz-
simmons, John NJ. Harris, Charles L.
Hawley, Judge o. Neill, and F. M. Mon
Afghan, and when the committee report
ed, Mr.. Reedy added his testimonial.
In opening the meeting Judge Ed
wards said it was most appropriate that
the bar should meet, as Judge Smith was
an active and honorable member of the
bar and former member of the court,
and the superior court. He said that in
the exercise of his judicial work on the
superior bench, Judge Smith was high
ly appreciated by the foremost lawyers
of the state.
Colonel Fitzsimmons, who was one Of
the closest friends Judge Smith had,
paid most eloquent and touching trib-
ate, saying in part:
"At the end of Judge Smiths first
year on the Superior Court bench he re-
ceived letter from one of the foremost
lawyers of the state, congratulating him
upon his work. and likening him TO the
great jurists who shed enduring lustre
upon the Jurisprudence of Pennsylvania.
'Judge Smith loved those who. we're
near and dear to him with even more
than parental affection. Their happiness
was his fondest dream. 1t was for them
that he reached out after the unattain-
able. OF him it may be truly said: He
was sound lawyer and eminent jurist,
a model father and faithful husband. "
Mr.. Harris was the first speaker. He
said he enjoyed confidential relations
with Judge Smith when he first came
from Honesdale to Scranton. They had
offices together for two years and adjoin-
ing offices for the same term. Mr.. Har-
rs said the characteristic which impress
sed him most strongly in Judge Smith S
work as a lawyer was his prodigious ca
pacity for work and the high sta ndard
he always set before himself, and one OF
the saddest stories he ever listened to
was the judges account of his failing
health one day, coming on the train from
Philadelphia.
81 am satisfied" said Mr.. Harris,
''that the bar and community have lost
avalued member, and that have lost 9
very loyal and sincere friend
Mr.. Reedy said he had the honor o
studying law with Judge Smith so said
Judge O'Neill and Mr.. Monaghan
Judge O'Neill said
Whatever success | may have re.
ceived testify my debt and gratitude
to Judge Smith for it, for his wise coun'
sci and advice in my younger years"
Judge Edwards conveyed the regrets
of Judge Willard, who sat on the Su
perior bench with Judge Smith. He sale
Judge Willard intended to be present
to give his high regard expression, but
was compelled to return home in the
afternoon because of illness.
Charles L. Hawley spoke more o
Judge Smith as neighbor in Greer
Ridge. He said he was true Judge, {
pentleman alwaVs on the bench an idea
husband and father and an ideal neigh
Dor.
The resolutions of the bar were as fol
lows:
Honorable Peter p. Smith was borl
in Honesdale, Wayne county, on Jun
2, 1851, and died in Scranton on the 9tl
day of March, 1909. He attended tn
public schools of Honesdale until gradu
alton and then entered on the study O
law in the Office of VIM. H. Dimmick
Upon his admission TO the bar he quickl
attained prominence and was selected b.
the Democratic party OF his county as
candidate for district attorney, and wa
elected and reelected to the office OF dis
trict attorney, in which capacity he serv
ed with distinction and credit. In 1873
he was called to larger field and move,
to Scranton, where he quickly assume,
front rank among the lawyers OF tn
bar. In 1892, upon the death OF Judg
Connolly, he was appointed to the com
mon pleas bench of Lackawanna count
by Governor PattisOn, where he serve
for something over year with credl
and distinction. In 1896 upon the et
tablishment OF the superior court he wa
elected to that office. and his decision
49, Il Il N~ms