Great Falls tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1921-current, 1922-10-27
Special to The Tribune.

H. IL ychIS WIS I'LL lAtlllldIS lIIcAu " -
late Chief Justice Theodore Brantly,
gave in the supreme court chambers
here today a eulogy on the life of the
jurist. Disavowing my desire to en-
gage in oratorical flights while re
viewing the achievements of the man
whose friend he had been for SO many
years, Rodgers recounted in f%orceful
fashion Justice Brantly's life of serv-
ice ION the bench and at the bar, en-
~phasizing the worth of the man who
had been q factor so potent in the
state supreme court.
Rodgers address was given at a
memorial which was observed by bench
and bar throughout the state in re-
spect to Chief Justice Brantly, who
died IN Helena September 16. Other
eulogies were given at Helena by @. +.
Goddard of Billings; Harry HI. Parsons
Of Missoula; Judge W. II. Poorman of
i. Piggott Of Helena, and Newton $.
tiunn of Helena, a close personal friend
of Justice Brantly.
Response from the bench was made
by Associate Justice A. j. Galen and
Associate Justice George w. Farr.
Memorials by the bar associations of
Daniels. Sheridan and Chouteau coun-
tles We're read by Assistant Attorney
General L. A. Foote. Resolutions pre-
- ~ a NOIlullttee OF WHICH w. ID.
Rodgers was chairman were presented.
Rodgers address was as follows:
May it please the COURT
An acquaintance with. and like
wise a warm friendship for the late
Theodore Brantly, extending over a
period of 80 years, persuade me, in
presenting these resolutions, to make
a few observations upon his life and
character. ! desire to speak of him,
not in exaggerated eulogy, but in a
few well tempered words which shall
express a truthful estimate of his
character and genius.
II knew him first, when in my
youth, | attended a small college in
Illinois in which he filled the chair of
ancient languages. and therefore my
acquaintance with him extended over
almost the entire period of his active
life. | knew him intimately and we'll
when a professor of languages, when a
practicing attorney at the bar, when
n judge of the district court, and, also,
during his entire career as chief JUS
tice of the supreme court of the state.
/ think none knew him better or had
greater opportunities to judge him
.impartially than I.
"As a professor of ancient Ian
guages, and an active participant as a
member of the faculty, in the manage
ment of the affairs of the college,
Theodore Brantly, although young, al
ready displayed those qualities which
predestined him to fill a sphere of
greater usefulness in later life. He
brought to his work learning. enthus-
iasm, devotion to duty, a kindly but
firm demeanor. a genuine love of
service, a sense of right and wrong
(even then enabling him to judge just
wv IL, al cf,rIopt affaIrGA and nIal1-
ties of mind and heart intensely hui
man. which commanded the confidence
and compelled the affection of his pu-
pills, and inspired them with noble I'M
billions and lofty ideals.
Bar Career Brief
THE career of Theodore Brantly at
the bar was brief and however long he
might nave remained a practicing law
yer. | doubt whether he would ever
have become greatly distinguished. Al
though possessing in large measure
those qualities which are essential to
8. either a great judge or a great lawyer,
vet he lacked some essential factors
which enlarge the fame of members OF
our, profession. He was not destined
to take high rank as an advocate or
an orator. He knew little of the art of
swaying a jury or an audience, lnso-
ldT us Ills hSIClhSs as ~ N"SA'
upon voice, gesticulation, posture and
expression of commemorative the
great Athenian orator denominated
action
"He had not much of the poetic turn
and while be clothed his thoughts IN
vigorous and correct English, he lack
ed somewhat that peculiar oratorlcal
power which rivets the attention and
sways the emotions with a rythm de-
dendent upon the choice, and the cor
relation of words. He had no extra
ordinary faculty of Imagination or
pathos or humor. He had no great
charm in public address, and was de-
void of that subtitle adroitness as es-
sential to any advocate who would be-
come famous. and with it all ne dis
liked somewhat the merciless combat
of a hotly contested lawsuit. He was
nevertheless an effective speaker. lie
developed his thoughts in a logical
manner, and stated them In PLAIN
words. He never greatly pleased, but
often convinced both court and jury.
and his opinions upon the law, always
known to be maturely considered and
honestly expressed, were llstened 10
with great respect by both courts and
clients.
Proof of Confidence
- EtP ndu Dttu al iV 10 ~ NHs
four short wears when he was elected
to the district bench. This distinction
came to him so far as the nomination
was concerned without solicitation and
against his protest. In a district
where his own party was greatly in
the minority he was elected by a large
majority. 1t was a signal proof Of
the confidence he had inspired in those
who knew him, IN a worthy tribute
to q worthy man. AS a Judge, at
uisi prius, he had but few equals and
no superiors among his contempt
raries. He expedited the business of
the court and administered his office
with an eye single to the orderly dis
nensation Of exact justice.
1.All ~litigants felt that in his court
every Judgment would be righteous and
according to the law. He appreciated
that Justice delayed was justice de-
MED. and he avoided this evil which
has brought so much reproach upon
both the bench and the bar. He was
one of the first of our judges who re-
fused to look upon a lawsuit as simply
a game of skill between counsel to he
determined according to the prowess
of the players, and if by a word of
counsel or advice given in the trial of a
---a - aa,.II ,rnranf n ~