Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1916-01-24
ALL COURTS ADJOURN
ON ACCOUNT OF DEATH
OF ROBERT RALST0N
Theme of Every Judge Today Is
Loss Incurred by Bar
and Public
F U NERAL TOMORROW
Services for Late Member of Com
mon Pleas No. at Church of
st. James the Less

Tribute to the memory of Judge Robert
Ralston, of Common Pleas Court No. .,
who died Saturday night at the Jeher-
son Hospital from meningitis, was eN-
! pressed today when all Of the five Com
mon Pleas courts, the criminal courts and
the Municipal court adjourned until Wed
nesday out of respect for the dead jurist.
The Judges were visibly affected when
the death Of Judge Ralston was officially
announced. and all united In expressing
their appreciation of his character IN re-
| viewing his career
! In Common Pleas Court No. ! the death
was announced by John Hampton Barnes
Judge Ralston was man with all OF
! a real mans virtues and some ot the
F, faults that belong to n real man said
| Judge Patterson HE was n scholar and
! he was a gentleman without fear of any
! kind This bar has lost an able lawyer
| and the community an upright citizen"
/ Judge Ralston showed an aptitude for
! expeditlng the business of the courts that
| was remarkable" was Judge Shoemaker's
tribute ~ do not think he had superior
in the state of Pennsylvania"
In Court No President Judge Bar
ratt, who had known Judge Ralston from
boyhood, told of his intimate acquaint-
ance with Judge Ralston's "stalwart
qualities and high character
"He was an advocate of simplicity and
practical results" declared Judge Bar
ratt.
Judge Vessel said. "Those who knew
him best were NOSE impressed by his
iirmness of purpose combined with
gcntleness of nature and determination
to do right at any cost"
Judge Ferguson, i'm Court No. g. said:
"This is not the time for extended !
euogy. 1t is seldom that proper appraisal
of a man is, or can be, made imme-
dlately after his lifes work is finished.
~,
learning and industry, and serve his com
munity with clean hands and good con-
science, II is easy for him TO drop his /
work and leave behind n vague memory /
that swiftly fades away. Not so will it be !
with the memory of Robert Ralston If we /
are capable of accurate prophesy.'
Judge Davis paid this tribute: THE !
death of Judge Ralston comes to me as a
distinct personal loss. knowing him as ! |
have for many years as a friend and !
companion. Our paths seemed to have |
been in the same direction for many
years. he having had an office in the same
building"
The practical results gained by Judge
Ralston we're emphasized by Judge Carr
in Court No. T.
Judge Stake, in Court No. ). spoke
feelingly of the happy family" of Court
No. broken through the death. He was
one of the last to see Judge Ralston liv-
ing. he said.
The Criminal Courts, in which Judge
Ralston gained renown, were quick to
take action. 1t was in these courts that
he won the notice Of the bar associations
throughout the country by his interpre-
tation of homicide laws.
Ills judgments were exact, logical
and discriminating" said President Judge
Martin, In paying his tribute. Although
endowed with strength and power, he was
generous. brave and gentle; his hand open
and true; his hear; warm. manly and
tender His honesty, his wit, his dignity.
his knowledge. his wisdom, his simplicity.
his tranquility made him an honored,
revered and beloved associate"
Simplicity will be the distinguishing
of the funeral services to
be held tomorrow morning at II o'clock
at the Protestant Episcopal Church of
ST. James the Less.
The quiet ana absence of demonstration
with which the funeral will be planned Is
in accordance with the expressed wish !
of Judge Ralston Every effort will be
made to have the services and interment
as nearly private as possible However it
is believed that Judge Ralston's many
friends and law associates will attend
and the services probably will be crowded |
A memorial for Judge Ralston from
the Bar of Philadelphia will be presented
on Thursday afternoon at a meeting of
the Bar Association i'm room 453, City
man ouuBe NiilaHl H. olddhe, VINO was |
associated with Judge Ralston i'm Com
mon Pleas Court No. ., made the an
OF the Bar Association meet
ing. Chief Justice j. Hay Brown, of the
Supreme Court of Pennsylvania, will pre-
side.
Judge Ralston's sudden death was a
shock 10 his friends. Many believed that l
ne was recovering from the pneumonia :
from which he suffered and hoped he I
would soon be in health again. I
The officiating minister at the funeral
services will be the Rev. j, Andrew Har- :
is. of Chestnut HILL who has long been ;
friend of the family, The Rev l.. C. a
Hashburn, of Christ Church. will assist !
him. =