Evening journal., 1913-08-06
Mr.. RODNEY
LAID AT REST
In HOME TOWN
icontinn,d nom rir.t paesl

guagee particularly Latin. he was Al
ways a great reader. and I remember
his love for the "Waverly Novels
which we often read together when we
were schoolboys. This fondness for
reading continued throughout his life,
and must have been and doubtless was,
to him the source Of much pleasure and
contentment Its scope was shown in
the intelligence Of his conversation on
all the topics of the day which excited
intellectual interest
AS law students we were closely as
sociated and constantly mooted between
us difficult points that arose in our read
ing. He had eminently legal mind
and a quick intuition in discovering the
reason that lay behind a rule oi law. He
possessed TO a large degree that common
sense which is characteristic of good
lawyers and applied It to the solution
OF the often intricate questions that
arise in general practice He came TO
rely upon his own Judgment. and found.
rs he has often said TO me. that what ne
thought the law ought 10 be. as an.
plicable TO a given state of facts. was
generally what IT proved to he.
But the thoughts uppermost in
my mind today are those qualities of
mind and heart which endeared John
n. Rodney TO his intimate friends.
His unfailing courtesy. his wit which
never left a sting. his loyalty TO all
that as true and good. and his unaf-
fected and simple modesty, we're the
attributes by which he was known
and loved II is the friend have lost
and who can never be replaced OF
whom | am now thinking. II is those
things which ! feel but cannot give
adequate utterance to, that MI my
heart and mind, and II Is tribute OF
love and affection-nOt of pra Sc and
cold approbation-that I would lay
as a chaplet on his grave. Tears. not
eulogy are more fitting and natural
today May the simple. genuine spirit
of the man who never acted a part
nor tried to seem other than he was
be long cherished as a tradition of
this Bar"
Mr.. COOper's Tribute.
In seconding the adoption Of these
resolutions, Alexander b. Cooper
said:
"Mr. Chairman: IF I we're TO fol-
low the inclination Of my own feel
]
should remain silent, amidst the deep
gloom and sorrow which surrounds
and over-shadows me. For in the
death Of MIR. Rodney, have lost a
friend, both near and dear to me-
"Forty-seven years ago this month
] first shook him by the hand and
made his acquaintance. From that
day to the day of his death have
been intimately associated with him.
personally and professionally. AS
year followed year our personal in
tercourse increased and our friend
, ship ripenod, like autumn fruit that
, mellOwed long without a single word
or circumstance to mar or disturb it,
Is it not natural. therefore. that 7
should now speak OF him under the
embarrassment OF a sincere and deep
seated s0rlow.
"Nr. Rodney was a man OF marked
individuality. He was a man. a manly
man, TO the fullest extent. He was a
clean-minded man. disliked triling
and vulgarity, and did not hesitate
to rebuke anyone who INDUCED in
I them. He was thoroughly honest in
! his thought and disposition Frank
and firm in his convictions. No one
] who knew him, ever doubted or hesi-
o. tated. as to where he stood. what was
7 his opinion or what his attitude upon
any subject after he had expressed
! himself He used but few words, but
they were forceful and compreheh-
] sive. No one could mistake their
2 meaning.
1T has been said by some. who did
= not know him we'll. that he was a
little abrupt or brusque t. manner
! but this soon disappeared when hi.
confidence had been won and tho
truly courteous and conscientious
charac r of the man had been real
lied. For he was courteous. generou;
81 and kind. and a true friend in ever!
n sense OF the word. Ever ready tC
g help. in time of need.
AS a lawyer. he ranked among tn.
10 ablest at the Bar in this State. H.
2 was a well read lawyer and under
n stood the great underlying principles
Of the law and could apply them con
- cisely and with accuracy TO the cas'
c in hand.
y "He had a quick and clear legal
apprehension and sound Logical
judgment He was a safe counsel.
lor His trial cases were always
= thoroughly prepared, he knew the
! strong and salient points involved
; and presented them to the court in
a terse, convincing and forceful way
He always commanded the respect
and attention of the court. lie de,
: spised the artifce and trickery Of the
: pettifogger. He conducted himself ir
his intercourse at the bar upon thu
principle and i'm the belief that tn,
members of the bar are gentlemen
! should behave themselves as gentle
men and express themselves as gen
tlemen.
Such an example In this respect
7 trust may be followed by all of us
both old and young. ! may say par
e ticularly to the younger members
y that the future standing and charac
m ter of the bar depends much upoI
l. this.
8. "The profession Of the law wa
nd more to him. than the mere meant
At Of making money or gaining person
r al advancement. He looked upon !
as a trust. a high trust, involving i'm
or portant interests to the public. a
b. we'll as 10 the bar itself, which. 81
t. far as i'm him lay. he was charged e
maintain and preserve.
nt 81 pray that the memory OF sucl
no man. such lawyer and such sin
on cere and faithful friend, may abid
on with us always.
A "peace no to his ashes and homo