Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1910-01-07
JUDGE o. M. BARBER.

President Taft's appointment Of o. NJ.
Barber as one Of the judges Of the new
United states customs court of appeals is
a recognition OF merit which will be re-
ceived with satisfaction wherever the gem
tleman from Bennington is known Judge
Barber is highly qualified for the duties Of
his new position and is in the prime Of
mature manhood at 90 years Of age. He
has a wide and accurate knowledge Of
law, gained as the representative Of per
sonal ana corporate interests through
long term Of years, and he possesses the
grasp, poise and analytical qualities OF
mind and the fairness and discrimination
in reaching conclusions which will make
MN a valued member Of the newest fed
cral tribunal Judge Barber was born in
Jamaica, attended Leland and Gray sem
mary and other educational institutions
in his boyhood, studied law in the Office
Of j. X Batchelder in Arlington and
in the Albany law school, and was admit
ted to the bar in 1882 He practiced in
Arlington until 1896. and since then his
Office has been in Bennington. lie has
been before the public as a member Of
both branches Of the legislature, railroad
I
"A member Of the commission to revise
the Vermont statutes in 1s92-94. and
chairman Of the committee which pub
lished them in 1894. His activities out
side Of his law practice have also brought
him prominently before the people and
he has been generally recognized as a
strong energetic and progressive man.
His associates in the new court will be
a. G. Coke, federal justice in New York
city and an expert judge on customs
cases. chief Judge; James +. Smith, until
recently governor general Of the Philip
pines; Federal Judge Hunt OF Montana
formerly governor Of Porto Rico. and
Marian Devres OF the board Of general
appraisers Of New York
The customs court Of appeals will sit
wherever it may designate, but it is
probable that New York, as the main
port of entry Of the country, will be the
place where II is called upon to do much
OF its business. The court will be the
tribunal OF last resort in cases involving
large sums OF money paid in duties The
Judges will receive $4,000 a year, or
$1,000 more than is now paid the federal
circuit court Judges.
Judge Barbers appointment reflects
credit upon the Vermont Congressional
delegation which backed his candidacy
enthusiastically. Gen. Frank $. Streeter
OF Concord, n Il, formerly a Republican
national committeeman vas regarded as
a strong candidate, but the New Hamp-
shire senators seemed to be Indifferent to
him Gen. Streeter, by the way. is a for
mer Nermonter, and is president OF tne
Connecticut River Power company, which
! has spent over $S,0OO,O0J in establishing
the Vermont Hinsdale plant which will
/ develop "a 900 horse power.
The sturdy rock ribbed town OF jam
aica maintains its reputation as the
mother Of judges in the appointment of
Judge barber. 1t was the birthplace of
the new judge, Judge Watson OF the
! present Vermont supreme court, Superior
Judges + l. Waterman and F. NJ. Butler
and the late Hon. J.. NJ. Read OF Bellows
/ Falls. for many years judge Of probate.
I The late Judge Hoyt II. Wheeler was not
| a native Of Jamaica, hut he practiced law
/ there before entering upon his long career
/ as judge in the state ana federal courts.