The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-06
WH|TEHOUSE NEXT
CHIEF JUSTICE
Next Senior will Succeed
Chief L. A Emery
He Is the First to Be Appointed From
kennebec County Since 1S41.

chief justice of the Supreme court OF
Maine. Governor Plaisted at the Col
by college commencement dinner in
Waterville, Wednesday, June 2S, de-
clared amid great applause that the
indicial ermine which had been SO
lately returned to him by Chief JUS
tice Emery could not be more fitting
" bestowed than upon the shoulders
of the senior associate justice, Will
liam P. Whitehouse.
Governor Plaisted stated that the
official announcement of the appoint
ment of Associate Justice Whitehouse
as chief justice would be made from
the executive department in few
DAYS. Governor Plaisteds father was
a graduate of Colby college, class of
53, while Justice Whitehouse was
graduated in the class of '63. Chief
Justice Emery and Justices White
house, King and Cornish were pres
ent at the commencement dinner.
Some speculation is already being
indulged in as to who will be appoint
ed associate justice when Justice
Whitehouse becomes Chief Justice.
Among the names mentioned are those
of Hon, John M. Manson of Houlton,
Hon. George M. Hanson of Calais.
and Hon. George E. Hughes Of Bath.
SKETCH JUSTICE WHITEHOUsE.
William Penn Whitehouse, who will
be the 10th chief justice of the State
of Maine, will be the first from Ken
nebec county since 1841, at which
time expired the term of Office of
Chief Justice Nathan Weston, also of
Augusta.
Justice Whitehouse is a native of
Vassalboro, where he was born April
9. 1912. His parents we're John Rob-
erts and Hannah Percival White
house Besides attending the common
school of his own district, working on
his fathers farm and attending the
High school at China, he began at the
age of 16 to fit himself for college at
Wateryille Academy in February,
1858. Here he made such rapid
strides that he was able to enter Col
by college in the following Septem-
Der without conditions. He was grad
uated in 1863 with first class honors,
delivering the English Grafton at
Commencement. Among his class
mates in college were Gov. Marcellus
L. Stearns of Florida, COL; F. s..
Heseltine of the Boston bar; DR.. John
o. Marble of Worcester, Mass, and
Judge Bonney, late of the Superior
court of Cumberland county.
He began soon after graduation to
teach and was for time the princi-
pal of Vassalboro academy. Hav-
ing decided upon the profession of
law he first entered the Office of the
late Sewall Lancaster of Augusta,
and afterwards continued his studies
with ex-senator Hale at Ellsworth.
He was admitted to the bar in Kenne-
bee county in October, 1866. His
first years practice was in the city
of Gardiner with Lorenzo Clay, as
partner. He removed to Augusta In
December of 1866, and formed part
nership with George Clifford which
lasted only until June, 1867, when the
latter entered journalism on the stan
of The Portland Daily Press, and sub
sequently became editorin-chief.
Entering upon a general practice,
for which he was we'll fitted both by
aptitude and diligent application, he
soon gained the confidence of clients
and the community for integrity and
ability. He was elected city solicitor
in 1868 and during his incumbeucy
in that Office he defended the city
successfully in several important
cases He was appointed county at
torney in 1869 by Governor Chamber
lain to fill a vacancy caused by the
death of the late Francis E. Webb of
Winthrop and was twice elected af-
terwards to the same office, thus serv-
Ing more than seven years In all. In
this office he increased his reputation
by his efficiency and jealous dis
charge of his duties, One of the
most important cases tried when he
was attorney was that of State vs..
Edward II. Hoswell, indicted for the
murder of John B. Latin of Halo
well, in which the late Thomas B.
Reed made his first appearance for
the government as attorney general.
county Attorney Whitehouse pre-
pared the case for trial and made the
opening argument. The trial became
noted for the defence of momentary
insanity urged by the counsel for
ue defendant. The jury finally re-
turned verdict of manslaughter and
the prisoner served a sentence OF
hihe years In the State prison.
He was chairman in 1873 of the
commission ON the new hospital for