New-York tribune., 1920-11-17
"Uncle William" Choote
The Distinguished and Kindly Hea
Of a Great Name
To the Editor of The Tribune.

10 the Editor OF Inc lrlOune.
Sir: AS boy and man | knew him
for many years. In my boyhood, when
had the good fortune to come under
his kindly influence, looked upon him
as the embodiment of all that q Judge
should be. He had won distinction IN
the law and had lately accepted the
appointment to the bench in the United
States court in our greatest of cities
He came to this place with the respec.
of all the lawyers who might coms
before him.
If he gave an impression Of austerity
it was the austerity and the dignity
that belonged to his high Office, the
deliberation that made the authority
of court where justice sat, where men
were equal before the law. where the
law was administered with grear
knowledge and great wisdom. That ho
had small patience with the incompe-
tent, the vainglory OF oratory, with tho
pettifogging ways Of lawyers who
thought 10 gain by taking the courts
time was quickly made evident TO all.
AS the interpreter of the law he has
had few equals, and few indeed were
the practitioners that did not quickly
realize this fact. Patient as wise
judge should be, he made short shrif.
Of tricks that ware vain
From the court where salaries !.
those days were not measured by the
quality of men, but by the economy o.
the government, he went back into the
practice of law as Z member Of ia
nous firm, where he was soos..t as
counsellor by great corporations anu
by lawyers as the fairesu referee they
knew. 1t was always understood that
both sides should abide by his decision
without further question. With all his
austerity he had keen sense Of hu-
NOR, and none was quicker to see AMI
appreciate the proper occasion for
smile or hearty laugh, even at the
expense OF the court.
As Judge and lawyer he was always
my ideal man, and in later years
learned TO know and love him s.
"Uncle William" for with Tie years
came children to him, not his own'
but near of kin, and few children ha'e
been blessed with such an understand
ing friend, such tender thoughtfulness
FOR the little things that make or mar
childish happiness. To them ne was
only "Uncle William" the playfelloT
and companion ready for { story,
book or tender comfort in tine o.
trouble. His letters TO some Of ni'
little chums are mine Of VII hmslcsi
wisdom, and some day hope tas9
will be put into form for all to reac'
Out of the many years---he ceis
brated his ninetieth birthday IN Az
gust-had come understanding Of oom
men and children and realization
that the chief difference between thsn
is only in the years AS children W.
begin and as children we end our days
and all the wisdom of the ages is Oa'
a cloak to lay aside and teach -
better to become children again
The heir of a great name in New
England law, the nations annals a11
New England traditions, his fanny
came from the witchcraft town O.
Salem, Mass, he passed his ls'e'
years in the old town of Wsllingfof''
Conn, a sister state only h"s
younger than the land OF PlymoV'A
Rock
The judge was remembered by INA
later generation OF lawyers and ai"ss'
spoken of as one of the greatest ms"
in the profession, as the wisest sAa
fairest of judges. "Uncle William
with his weight of years, followed VIZ.
keen interest the great questions -
our times and kept the spirit OF son,A
and the love Of youth in his heart ~
looked 1T life always with sina'
smile, ready sympathy that MADE "'A'
loved and honored by all who Sns'
him. ]. b. l.
New York, Nov. IS, 1920. :,
Getting Wet