Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-07-28

Of Winslow have gone two Of her sons
who have brought distinguished hon.
ors to that goodiyrtown, the town of
their birth.
Their lives have at times run along
side by side. and then diverged. These
two boys played together and fought
as children will together. They went
TO the same school, then one went to
Colby College and the other to Bow
dom. After graduation they both
chose the legal profession for their
life work and became members of this
Lar.
Here they then met the son of a
neighboring county. Somerset, by
adoption a son of Kennebec, who had
attended at Waterville the same school
these two boys had attended, and for
his college selected Bates.
For many years their lives ran
along together. sometimes being op-
posing counsel and sometimes associ-
ate counsel.
One then turned into the road that
leads to political honors and to him
came one of the highest national hon
ors which a state can give. member
ship in the United States Senate. The
other two continued to travel in the
path Of the law. the path, which for
them led upward until to each came
the highest legal honors which this
State can give.
And now again their lives will run
along together for the United States
Senator is once again an active mem
Der of our Bar. He will plead his
cause before his distinguished play
mate of his boyhood and his distin-
guished associate.
There is no member Of our Bar bet
ter fitted in every way to bring the
greeting of this Bar to those former
brethren who are our guests tonight
that Charlie Johnson"
Ex-senator johnson replied as fol-
lows:
Ex Senator johnson
The words service and duty are press
ing on us as never before. We thought
of the government as a fraternal institu-
ton from which we could derive help
rather than to which We could give SER
vice. l think tonight how much service
these men have rendered who have gath
cred here-these ex-justices, and how lit
tie the State has done for you in return
1t was a pleasure when in Washington
heard of the high esteem of our court,
and l feel that with these new appoint
sustained.
Certainly no two men have received
more kindly words of greeting and af-
fectionate regard than had been voiced
by the preceding speakers and it was
appreciated by the two guests in whose
honor the banquet was given. In intro
ducing Justice Spear, President Garlic
ton said:
Our light Affections, which are but
for moment, work out for us a far
more exceeding and eternal weight of
glory. Rarely is it given to judge to
have an opportunity to fully understand
just how his services on the bench ap-
peal to the bar and to the public. When
an interregnum occurs that opportunity
is presented. There can be no misun-
Outstanding about this in Mr.. Justice
Spears case. The bar of this country
and of the whole state and all the peo-
pie welcome him back to that exalted
position he has occupied with 50 much
credit to the people at the bar and the
bench, Mr.. Justice Spear"
Justice Spear responded as follows:
Associate Justice Spear
Certainly what has been said Of the
majesty and dignity of the law
heartily endorse. Perhaps through my
experience on the bench it may not be
out of place to refer to it, went
on the bench 16 years ago and I find
that I have served under five chief JUS
tees. My experience on the bench I'M
der these chief justices is most pleas
ant and gratifying one. judge that
service on the bench is quite different
than it formerly was. During my ser
vice 1 never heard one unkind word
passed by one member regarding an
other. l do not mean that there were
not sharp contentious and tena cious
opinions, the deliberations were always
conducted in the most good natured
manner. Every member approached ev-
cry question with an open mind.
Ny experience with the bar was also
very pleasant. During my whole ex
perience of | years on the bench l was
never Intentionally deceived by any
member of the bar Now the bar has
great responsibility. In the year which
| have just devoted to private practice,
| found that the responsibility of the
lawyer is greater than that of the JUS
tice. The lawyer works alone. l have
known the present chief justice for
many. many years. 1 have known him
in school and in practice, and 1 know
that he is a Great lawyer and a great
judge"
In introducing Chief Justice Cornish,
President Carleton said
The children of Israel had been visit
ed by a great calamity, they had lost
by death an idolized leader and their
greatest law giver.
They then called with one accord for
one to take his place in every respect
worthy and qualified to fill that high
and exalted position. But one man
among them all was considered in this
connection.
80 when a great calamity in the in
scrutable Providence of God came upon
the bar and people of this State, the
name of one man suggested itself, the
name of a judge tried and never found
wanting, and the appointing power lis
tening to the voice of the bar and the
people and to their great satisfaction
placed the mantle upon him. gentle
men. the chief justice of the Supreme