Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1912-08-26

| justice TO his memory. DuTlHS u very
Intimate acquaintance with Judge
Morgan covering a period Of twenty
years | can t~ruthfully say that never
heard one syllable pass his lips IN
defamation of the character OF a fei.
low man. His motto always seemed
to be to SPEAK i'll of no one. II he
could not speak well OF a person he
remained silent. No word uttered
from his lips eve left a thorn IN any
bosom. This magnificent trait OF
character was apparently Unborn In
his very nature. and this and his
many other virtues, his noted con-
geniality ad sunshiny disposition
were responsible for the universal
love and esteem of all, which he SO
richly merited. Others, no doubt,
were blessed by nature with greater
| talents, but none with a truer. big.
| ger or better heart, or with a more
c%onsiderate and sympathetic feeling
for the frailties of others. He seemed
20 believe in and by his daily life to
exemply the doctrine OF an universal
brotherhood. Such a character IAN
not have lived without being Of last
ing benefit to posterity. While he
has passed to the great beyond In
obedience to the Masters call, the
good influences radiating from his
noble traits of character will live
on and on as an inspiration n
guidance to the living, as well as to
generations yet unborn. 1t was my
especial good fortune to have enjoyed
tor so long a time such an intimate
acquaintance with our departed
friend. | first met him in 1889 after
be came judge of the Second Judicial
District. This acQuaintanceship soon
the better we became acquainted the
stronger my admiration ami love for
him grew. This is true, ! believe, OF
all who had the good fortune to know
him we'll. 1t could not have been
otherwise, knowing him as I did. For
ten years | was honored by the peo-
pie Of the First Judicial District as
their judge, during a portion of which
time and until he was elevated to
the supreme court, Judge Morgan, as
you know, filled a similar office in
the Second Judicial District with
much honor and distinction and to
the universal satisfaction of his con.
stiauents. 1t was during this period
that l learned so thoroughly of his
splendid qualities, and when in 1900
he was called by the people of the
entire state to the supreme court |
was pleased beyond for |
knew how deserving he al OF this
honor and how thoroughly equipped
he was, with his we'll balanced level
mind and rare judicial temperament,
for the discharge of the duties OF
such office. His record on the district
bench inspired i'll the people a con-
fidence that became state wide in its
scope, and as a result he deserved
ly enjoyed the rare distinction OF
having been elected to this impor-
tant ONCE wholly without opposition.
That he more than fulfilled the fond
est expectations OF his most ardent
admirers in the discharge of all his
official duties is conceded by all. He
was endowed by nature with a big
brain and with a sound judgment. He
had an exceptionally strong legal
mind. While not quick to form a con-
clusion, when once deliberately
formed he was firm and courageous
in his convictions, although he never
entertained a pride of opinion but
was. on the contrary, ever ready to
listen to the views of others and
quick to change his W views if col
WINGED that he al in error. He was
never aggressive in his dissents from
his associates but always accorded to
them the right to differ from him.
AS a judge, both on the district
and supreme benches, he command
ed universal confidence, and was
ever careful and studious in ascer-
tanning the right, and absolutely i'm
partial and fearless in administering
justice. His opinions in the supreme
court reports are truthful monuments
to his judicial ability and legal learn
ing. Not only vas Judge Morgan ex-
c%eptionally we'll equipped in point OF
legal training and a well balanced
judicial mind for his life's work, but
he possessed an admirable tempera-
ment SO essential to an ideal judge.
Every member Of the bar who prac-
ticed before him will, l am sure,
gladly give testimony to his uniform.
ly courteous and considerate demean-
or toward all. Nothing ever seemed
20 rulle his Feelings, and he always
listened attentively and with pa
tience, being ever actuaed by a stead
fast and sole desire to learn the
truth and to decide accordingly.
1t is therefore most fitting and
proper that we should suspend, for
the time, our usual labors, in order
to pay a well.merited tribute of re-
spect to the memory of this good
man.
AS a friend and companion he was
kind and sympathetic to a marked.
degree, and a host Of admiring
friends bore witness throughout his,
long life in North Dakota to their love
for him and his affection for his fell,
lowmen.
1t is needless to say that his en-