Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-05-09
JUDGE KEITH RESIGNS
SEAT ON SUPREME BENCH
Governor Stuart Accepts Rcsigna-
ton. to Take Effect After
Opinion Day.
WILL. APPOINT JUDGE SIMS
Louisa Man Elected by Recent Gen
eraI Assembly for New Term Be
ginning February I Will Be Named
to Fill Out Unexpired Term.

James Keith. presiding justice Of the
State Supreme Court Of Appeals, has
sent his resignation to Governor
Stuart. to take effect on June TO- In
letter addressed to him yesterday.
Governor Stuart regretfully accepted
the resignation.
Judge Keith's retirement, although
known to be only a question of months.
came unexpectedly. The resignation
was placed in the hands of tho Gov
ernor on Saturday. The letter was
brief. and read as follows:
May G, 1915.
Governor Henry c. Stuart. Rich
mond. Va:
My Dear Govcrnor,-f herewith ten
der TO YOU my resignation as Judge
Of the Supreme Court of Appeals OF
Virginia. TO take effect on the 10th day
OF June. 1916.
1 am. with great respect.
Very sincerely yours,
tSigned) JAMES KEITH
GOVERNOR STUART
ACCEPTS RESIGNATION
The Governor, under date Of yester-
day, replied with the following letter:
May 8. 1916.
Judge James Keith. President. Supreme
Court Of Appeals. Richmond. Va:
My Dear Judge keith.---I am in re-
cetpt of your letter OF May rendering
your resignation as Judge OF the Su-
preme Court of Appeals to take effect
on the 10th day of June.
In accepting this resignation, feel il
my privilege no less than my duty 10
express my high climate OF the great
service YOU have rendered to the State
o. Virginia. and to convey to you the
grateful appreciation OF the people
you have served 50 long and well. 1t
is with pride that your fellow-citizens
have viewed your career as president
of the Supreme Court OF Appeals, and
they will gratefully inscribe your name
among the abbeSt, noblest and best Of
the jurists who have dignified and
adorned that high position. The con-
f,dence and affection of the whole peo-
pie of Virginia and their appreciation
OF your character as a man. as we'll
as their admiration of your fidelity to
duty and for your able and fearless
discharge of the obligations of your
high office. is as 1t should be. the
highest reward for a lifetime devoted
TO the service of your State.
Very sincerely yours.
tsigned) HENRY c. STUART,
Governor.
GOVERNOR WILL. APPOINT
JUDGE SIMS TODAY
Shortly before the convening of tho
last General Assembly, Judge Keith
announced that he would retire from
the bench at the expiration Of his
term on January 81, 1917. The Legisla-
turn elected AS Judge Kelth's successor
Judge Frederick Wilmer Sims, of
Louisa. While Judge Sms's term does
not begin until February !, he will to-
day be notified by Governor Stuart of
his appointment to serve out Judge
keith's unexpired term. ~ commission
will he issued To Judge Sims within
the next few days.
Although in his letter of resiEnatton
no reason Is assigned by Judge Keith
for his retirement before the expiration
OF his term. IL is generally understood
that he did not feel equal to taking
up the heavy work of tho next term in
the coming summer June 10 will be
opinion day at Wytheville. and Judge
Keith Will then hand down his last
opinions as a member of the Supreme
Court. TO have continued on the
bench after that date would have in
volvcd him in the consideration OF new
cases. entailing arduous work through
the hot summer months.
The retirement of Judge Keith re-
moves from the bench one g the most
jurists that the State has
produced in this generation and ono
OF the most widely known men in the
lie was born in Fau-
duier County on September :. 1899, and
is, therefore, seventy seven years old |
He was member OF the Legislature
Continued on Third Page.}