New-York tribune., 1910-11-27
Regret Over His Re sig
nation from the New
Jersey Court of Err
rors and Appeals.

When James Brooks Dill the other day
sent TO Governor Fort his resignation as a
Law Judge of the New Jersey Court or
Errors and Appeals a feeling or regret
swept through the ranks Of the legal IRA
ternitv of that state for Mr.. Dill has been
considered one of the brainiest and has
certainly been one of the most popular
members Of this the highest tribunal IN
New Jersey.
The New Jersey Court of Errors and Ap-
peals has sometimes been dubbed town
meeting because of the number OF It's
members 1t consists of the Chancellor,
the Chief Justice of the Supreme Court the
eight associate justices of the Supreme
Court and six lay members, who do not or
necessity have to be lawyers. This makes
sixteen members, but an odd member Il
obtained by excluding from their confer
ences the Justice from whose decision the
appeal has been made. The justices re
eeive an extra compensation OF s20 DAY
while sitting in this court, and as tney
devote about one hundred and fifty days a
year to IT this extra remuneration amounts
to s00o. This, however represents the
total pay Of the Icy Judges.
So that when, not much more than five
years ago. Mr.. Dill gave UP practice
which at the time was represented 10 net
him 100000 q year to accept the offer OF a
place in this court made TO him by the
then Governor Stokes. his associates were
astontshed, because there Is q tremendous
difference between 100000 year and s3.Ooo
year. But Mr.. Dnrs acceptance Of the
appointment was pleasing news to Gov
ernor Stokes and the lawyers of the state.
for he was recognized as a master mind In
corporation law, and that he should con-
sent to place his knowledge at the disposal
of the state was recognized as a stroke or
good fortune for the commonwealth.
Since becoming a member Of the court
Mr.. Dill has earned for himself the repuGa-
ton of being strictly impartial. This is
aptly illustrated by Richard V. Lindabury,
one of the leading lawyers of the state, in
the following manner:
II was coming from Trenton not SO long
ago. said Mr.. Lind abury, having Just
finished arguing case before the Court of
Errors and Appeals, when on the opposite
side of the car l discovered the counsel
who opposed me. his face wreathcd in
smiles and chuch1ing TO himself.
What is the cause of all your joy?' I
asked.
Oh he said my case is as good as
won
What makes you think so-' 1 inquired
Why the other lawyer said, I've had
a talk with Judge Dill
Well said I, 1, too. have had talk
with Judge Dill. and If you'll tell me what
he said to you I'll tell you what he said
TO me-.
- It's bargain, answered the lawyer.
Well said /, he told me that l had
made one of the best arguments he had
ever heard. and he had no doubt of the
result.
You don't say SO" responded the law
yer. Why, that's just what he told me- -
Mr. Diirs presence in the Court OF Err
rGrs and Appeals is not the only thing
which the members CT the tribunal are
going TO miss, for no longer will those long
black cigars. at once the wonder and ae-
light of those who were fortunate enough
to smoke them, be at the disposal of the
judges
Mr.. Dill Is an inveterate smoker of the
dfscrimina ting type. He not only reiishes
a good weed himself. but also likes TO have
those IN his company do the same thing
and 1t was his custom each morning, when
he joined his fellow judges from the north
ern end Of the state on the 9 80 train at
Newark, TO pass around these cigars, which
have also attained much fame among the
LAWYERS OF the state with whom Mr.. Dill
Is acquainted When the court was in for
an an day session Mr.. Dill would carry
box OF these cigars. and sometimes two