The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1919-01-09

decision not To be a candidate for re-elec
tion to the superior bench. He made
similar announcement to the Brattleboro
members OF the legislature and some 9th
ers. He had given the public no intima-
ton previous to today OF his contemplated
retirement, 80 the mentioning process
with respect to possible candidates to fill
the vacancy has been avoided
Judge Zed S. Stanton of Roxbury. who is
next in seniority, doubtless viii become
chief Judge, and in a few DAYS the legis-
ature will elect the sixth superior Judge
Besides Judge Stanton the remaining su-
perior Judges are Judge Fred NJ Butler
&c Rutland. Judge Frank l.. Fish Of Yer
gennes. Judge Leighton f. Slack Of ST
,iohnsbury and Judge Stanley {. Wilson
Of Chelsea, iii the order named
1t is Judge Waterman intention TO re
main in Brattleboro. He has had a long
active and honorable career in the legal
profession. maintaining theldignity OF the
law with credit To himself and with hon
or To the state in which his entire life has
been spent, and the public will hope TO
| see him accorded the pleasure of many
years OF weli-earned comfort and recrea-
| tion.
1t was in 1906 that the judicial system
| in Vermont underwent a decided change,
the supreme court being reduced in num-
Der and six superior judges being created.
| Judge Waterman, who was then practic-
| ing in Brattleboro, became a superior
| Judge at that time, and he has remained
one until now, becoming chief Judge on
the final day of the legislature on April
! Il, 1917, succeeding Judge Willard W.
Miles OF Barton, who was elevated to the
supreme bench
While Judge Waterman would not lay
claim to doing more than his share of the
work of the superior judges, it can be
said with safety that he has done his full
share and has presided at some long and
hard sessions of county court, disposing OF
many complex and especially important
cases
Judge EleaZer Lee Waterman was born
in Jamaica July 25, 1899, son of Chan
dler and Polly Thayer Waterman He at
tended Leland seminary in Townshend
now Leland and Gray seminary, and ther
studied law in the office of Butler and
! Wheeler in Jamaica He was admitted tC
thd bar in 1868 and first praetieed in vii
mington. He represented that town iT
the legislature in 1867 and 1868, and il
1870 he moved to Jamaica and practieet
law there successfully. In 1872 he wa
, states attorney and in 1876 he went tt
the legislature as one of the Windhan
. county senators and was chairman Of tn,
judiciary committee
In 1886 he came TO Brattleboro, buyin
j. c. Eddys interest in the law firm o
Martin and Eddy The firm name wa
, Waterman and Martin until George i
, Hit became a member, after which it wa
!, Waterman, Martin and Hit. After MI
: Hits death the former name, Waterman
and Martin, was adopted James L. MAJ
tin remained a member Of the firm unit
, his appointment as Judge of the Unite
States district court in October, 1906, til
year that Judge Waterman became a 8,
: perior Judge Judge Martins death OF
! cured Jan. II, 1915.
: During all the years of Judge Water
mans private practice Of law in Brattl,
:. boro his Office was on the second floc
!, OF Bank building. southwest of the jun
e tion of Main and Elliot streets. and th
e continued to be law Office until a fe
/, weeks ago. The firms of Waterman an
t Martin and of Waterman, Martin an
Inout;pua1 op paoo gN