The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1910-09-01
MOVE PUZZLES FRIENDS HERE
Justice Dodge Has Been One of the
Most Distinguished of the Members
of the Supreme Court and Has De-
cided Important Cases.


Wisconsin state supreme court, mem
Der of which he has been for Il years,
yesterday announced his retirement
from the bench, with the intention OF
making his future home in Milwaukee.
Justice Dodge's resignation is in the
hands of Governor Davidson, to take
effect Sept. /, and the governor will ap-
point his successor. The term for
which he is serving will expire Jan. l,
1912. The governors appointee will
have to seek election next spring for
the short remaining time of the unex-
pired term, as well as for the fall term
beginning Jan. l, 1912.
The news of the resignation came as
a surprise to members Of the Kenosha
bar, and, it is said also, to most of the
members of the court, although few Of
his intimate friends appear to have
known that he had contemplated retire
ment for some time.
Gov. James o. Davidson, who is in
Milwaukee attending the convention Of
the International Tax association, said
last night that he had not seen Justice
Dodge s resignation, but that it was
true that he had resigned
''There were quite number of let
tiers that / didn t open when | left my
office, but | suppose it is true that JUS
tice Dodge has resigned" said the
governor.
Justice Dodge was first appointed to
the supreme court by Gov. Edward SEQ
field on the resignation of Justice Pin
ney on Nov. %, 1898. He was elected
to the full term of ten years in April,
1901.
Justice Dodge was born in West
Cambridge, now Arlington, Middlesex
county, Mass, on Oct %, 1854. He re-
ceived his early education in the public
schools of his native town. Later he
fitted for college at Westford academy,
Middlesex, Mass, and in 1875 he was
graduated from Iowa college, Grinnell,
la lie studied law at Boston univer-
sity, being graduated in 1877 and being
admitted to practice by the supreme
court Of Massachusetts in the same
year.
Justice Dodge came to Wisconsin in
1878, locating at Racine and engaging
in general practice of law. He was APP
pointed assistant attorney general of
the United States in 1898, and served
until 1897, when he resigned and came
to Milwaukee to engage in the practice
of law. Justice Dodge spent one term
as a member of the legislature, serving
as member of the assembly in 1891
and 1892. In 1893 he was appointed a
member of the board of commissioners
for the promotion of uniformity of leg
islation in the United States
Justice Dodge's opinions have been
admired not only for the learning they
revealed, but for the beautiful English
in which they were eouched. 1t has
been said of him that not for many
years has there been a member of Wis
consin S highest court who wrote more
fluently and elegantly than Justice
Dodge. His opinions are models OF
clear, well-rounded English
Justice Dodge has written many not
ed opinions, among the most important
Of which, as far as general interest Is
concerned, being his opinion in the Re
publican convention case; the inherit
ance tax law, the railway ad valoren
tax law ease, and the West Allis fran
chise case, in which the right of the
supreme court to intervene in case,
where fraudulent franchises were grant
ed by municipalities was upheld.
None of his friends in Kenosha coulC
give information as to Justice Dodge ::
plans for the future, but it was re
ported that he would engage in the
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