The San Francisco call., 1910-12-28
Members Of Bar do Honor
to Jurist Who Long
Served State
Judge Melvin Presides Over
Notable Banquet Served at
Palace Hotel

James A. Cooper presiding justice
OF the state district court OF appeal,
about to retire from the bench and
enter private practice, was given a
testimonial banquet at the Palace hotel
last evening by the bench and bar of
San Francisco and the state of Califor-
MIA. Justice Henry A Melvin of the
supreme court presided as toastmaster,
and feeling and witty addresses were
made by representative attorneys and
friends Of the retiring justice. Two
hundred jurists and attorneys gathered
to honor Judge Cooper
In response to the addresses deliv-
cred by his friends and the sincere ex-
preston of appreciation conveyed by
the gathering. Judge Cooper made an
address on the subject of the law its
reforms and its conservations. He
sounded note Of warning against the
overthrow OF the present system of
laws in California and ably urged the
change III the judicial system so that
the judges be appointed either by the
governor OF an efficient commission.
and that the judges receive more ade-
Quate remuneration
SUCCESSOR GREETED
Judge Cooper paid tributess to the
men with whom he has been associated
on the appellate bench, to Judge -Har-
rison. who was appointed to the court
when it was first organized and to
Judge Hap and Judge Kerrigan for
their notable qualities of mind and
heart He warmly greeted his sue
cessor, Judge Thomas Lennon of Marin
county. and wished him the highest
success on the bench.
In my experience on the bench" :"
said Judge Cooper. 1T has always been
my aim TO find the law. regardless of
the parties involved and regardless OF
the consequences to myself"
This expression was loudly cheered by
the lawyers.
The address Of Judge Cooper was lis
tened to with marked attention by the
gathering and his remarks were round
ly applauded. He was given an ovation
when he rose to speak
The speakers of the evening were in
addition TO Judge Melvin, the toast
master, and Judge Cooper A. B. Ware
Of Santa Rosa, who spoke on Early
Days: Ben jamin F. Woolner of Oak
land. on Some "reminiscences of a
Young Practitioner; Attorney General
L. s. Webb. on District Courts of APP
peaT; s. 81. Shortridge. on Judge and
Lawyer" and W. F. Heron.
AT MAIN TABLE
hall and the guest Of honor and the spe-
cial guests were seated at the main
table at the north wall OF the ballroom.
Judge Cooper sat at the left OF the
toast master. Judge Melvin. On Mel
wins right were Chief Justice Beatty
OF the supreme court. Curtis H Lindley,
Samuel NJ Shortridge Garret w. McEn-
erney. A. B. Ware. Eudge James NJ. Al
len, Judge James NJ. Seaweli, DR.. Walter
Thomas. Walter Linforth and w +.
Heron To the left of the guest of
honor were Judge Van Fleet, Lieuten-
ant Governor Warren r. Porter. Su-
perior Judge Frank J. Murasky. Attor-
ney General L. S. Webb, Charles s.
Wheeler benjamin F. Woolner, W. f..
Whittier DR.. Thomas w. Huntington
Frank Powers.
The main table was decorated in
poinsettias, smilax and roses.
Judge Melvin opened the after dinner
speaking with a witty address. He
stated that the POSTMASTER was a use
less person. "interposed, like demur-
rer, for the purpose of delay"
STANDING TOAST
In proposing toast to Judge Cooper,
which was drunk standing, Judge Mel
vim said. He is learned in the law,
coura geous in its announcements, faith
ful to his duty and honest in all things"
Letters and kilograms from prom
inent citizens unable to be present were
read Among them were communica-
tons from Governor James n. Gillett,
United Judge w w. Morrow, Judge
Jackson Wyman, Mayor Beverly Hodg-
head of Berkeley, George A Knight,
Judge Wheaton A Gray, Judge n. P.
Chipman, Judge Albert s. Burnett and
others.
A. B. Ware. an attorney of Santa
Rosa, was the first speaker presented.
Ware spoke on Early Days." as a
friend OF Cooper from his youth In part
he spoke as follows:
In 1875. in the village of Santa Rosa,
had the pleasure, the honor and the
privilege of becoming acquainted with
our distinguished guest Of this even
ing. lie was then known to US all as
Jime Cooper. tail. straightforward