Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1913-03-18
SPOKE FEELINCLY
OF LATE JURIST
Chancellor Curtis and At
tOFney ROdney'S Addresses
Before County Bar

Chancellor Charles NJ. Curtis and
Attorney John II. Rodney spoke feel
lngly Of the late Judge William c.
spruance at the meeting Of judiciary
and bar Saturday afternoon.
Chancellor Curtis said:
For about fifteen years was asso-
ciated with Judge Spruance and as
sisted him in the practice Of the law.
To me he was always just and kind
and helpful. and forebearing towards
my youthful inexperience. A hard
and resourceful fighter, he was for
the interests Of his clients, but fair
combatant, and scorned subterfuges
and insincerity Being a man Of
moral courage and undaunted in
standing by his high principles. he
had little respect and no confidence
in one who shirked a duty, lodged
direct issue or dallied with his con-
science when questions OF right and
wrong were involved. The interests
Of his clients were uDpermost with
him and he punctiliously secured for
them the maximum of their rights.
At times he was impatient at the legal
limitations which seemed to prevent
The doing in particular cases OF full
and entire justice between parties, and
Justice in its broad sense was to him,
as to every conscientious lawyer, the
purpose of all law. Without losing
respect for precedent, he regarded the
duty of right dealing to be above and
beyond all precedents. All Of these
traits were marked in him as judge,
and his virility and vigor gave great
weight to the decision OF the court,
while he was a member of it. His
service there was congenial to him
and with it he rounded out his useful
life. a splendid Delaware gentleman
died vixen he passed away"
John II. Rodney said Contrary
to my usual custom and practice. I
feel compelled at this time to speak
word concerning the gentleman, the
lawyer and the judge in whose men,
DRY Iii meeting is now held.
"There is a propriety in my max
ing few remarks for ] believe that
Judge Gray and myself have had the
longer association with Judge Spru-
ance than any other members of the
bar. When I was a school boy in
New Castle, William c. Spruance en-
tered as a student at law in the Office
OF my father. Upon being admitted
he practiced in New Castle for a
number of years. having married
there. He removed to Wilmington
some time before the courts were
moved aud here he firmly and favor
ably established himself in his pro-
fession. He was universally recog-
nized as Jealous and faithful coun-
sel-learned in the law-whose opin-
ions carried great weight This repu-
tation, gained in the active practice
of his profession, followed him tC
the higher position when he took his
place upon the bench as resident
Judge for New Castle county.
HE was a painstakng. conscien
tious and careful judge who applied
to the matters before him the prin
ciples of law and practice which h'
had so fully and richly acquired.
ITO me personally he was alway'
polite and considerable. This ma.
have been partly from the associa
ton with my father who was a po
litical and personal friend Of his
father.
These are no mere perfunctor.
words OF eulogy or fiattery, but arc
the honest expressions OF my sin
cere thoughts"
Judge Gray. before putting the res
olutions. feelingly referred to judge
Spruance. Like Mr.. Rodney, his as
sociations had lasted from boyhooC
with the nan the bar loved and hon
ored. HE was a lawyer" said Judg'
Gray. whose wise admonitions count
ed with the students: he was a faith
full practitioner. suEremely careful
ever recognizing his obligations t
his clients and brethren. He alwayl
convinced himself OF a theory before
he empted to convince a jury, ant
therein lay a secret of his remark
able success He was a LIFELONG
friend and in this mysterious pro
cession OF life won by his works al
that can be left behind us-an hon
ored name among the people Of tn
state"