The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1911-07-06

Endorsed by the highest medical au-
thorities. He entered in 1875 into the
agitation which secured the abolition
of the death penalty. The favorable
result was due largely to the lead
ing and influential part which he took
in the measure and by moulding pub
lie sentiment on the subject. He was
in 1879 chairman OF the committee of
citizens in the city OF Augusta that
elected the graceful and artistic sol
diers' monument which adorns the
public square in that city.
The Superior court of Kennebec
county was established by act of the
Legislature of 1873 and on Feb 13 he
was appointed to its bench The
court sat in Augusta with five jury
terms each year until the year 1889
when two sessions were held at Wa
terville and the Augusta terms were
reduced to three. After the second
year of its establishment its powers
were enlarged SO that it comprised
the entire criminal jurisdiction in
Guiding capital cases. Its civil de-
partment included divorces and all
civil actions except real actions and
trespass sum, exclusive up to $780,
and concurrent jurisdiction with the
Supreme Judicial court of all such
actions when the damages exceeded
that amount. This court had the
power of trial in murder cases until
1889 when these cases were trans
ferred to the Supreme court. The
IL years during which Judge White
house presided in the Superior court
are remembered for the ease and ur-
banity with which he dispatched busi-
ness. Industrious and polite, clear
and interesting, he soon became pop
ular in the right sense of that word
with the bar and retained its respect
and esteem.
Judge Whitehouse in the summer of
1883 in behalf of the citizens of Au-
gusta delivered an address of VEL
come to the late James G. Blaine upon
his return from Europe, which was
widely reported and commended for
its felicity and eloquence.
He was first appointed to the bench
of the Supreme Judicial court as as
sociate justice April Is, 1890 by Gov
ernor Burleigh and was reappointed
April a. 1897, by Governor Powers,
April 5, 1904, by Governor Hill and
April 8, 4911, by Governor Plaisted
AS the senior associate he was di
rectly in line for appointment as chief
justice and his appointment was no
surprise to his many friends, both on
account of his being in line for the
position and on account of the mark
ed judicial ability which he has shown
as an associate justice. His opinions
show full and vigorous style, which
is at the same time natural and fin
ished and his references to the au-
thorities and decided cases are ample
and with enough or apt quotation to
save the reader the labor of taking
the book down from the shelf.
He married June "a, 1862 Evelyn
NJ, daughter of Colonel Robert Treat
of Frankfort, who was descended in
the fifth generation from Colonel Rob-
ert Treat, colonial governor of Con-
necticut Their only child is Robert
Treat Whitehouse, United States dis
trict attorney of Maine, since Jan. Il,
1906, and residing in Portland.
Justice Whitehouse was given the
degree of LII. d. from his alma ma
ter in 1896. He is lover of nature,
a good hunter and fisherman, and has
genial. sunny temperament which
will prevent his ever becoming mar
row or conservative.