Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1922-07-27
JUDGE BELL TAKES
OATH Of OFFICE

Judge R. C. Bell, of Cairo, Ca,
was sworn in Tuesday morning as a
member of the state court of ap-
peals to fill the unexpired term of
{. the late Judge Ben H. Hill, who died
last week. AT the same time Will
liam Vance Custer, of Cambridge,
Ga, was sworn in as judge Of the
Albany circuit superior court.
The ceremony took place in the
executive offices of Governor Hard
! wick, who administered the oath OF
office to both judges in the presence
or large number Of Judges, state
house officials and friends.
Judge Bell, who resigned as judge
or the Albany circuit to accept the
appointment to the court Of appeals
Is one OF the foremost young jurists
or the state. He has made an ex-
celleut record in his circuit, where
he was solicitor general prior to his
erection to the bench. He was one
or the five superior court judges ap-
pointed by Governor Hardwick to
investigate conditions at the state
prison farm at Milledgeville few
weeks ago.
Judge Custer, who takes Judge
Bells place as judge of the Albany
circuit, is one of the best-known
members of the bar in south Geor-
igia. His elevation to the bench has
met with much favorable comment.
. Governor HardWick, in administer
ing the oath, remarked that in his
: opinion the state Of Georgia was to
be congratulated on securing two
such able jurists.> The Rev. John
S. Foster, pastor Of the First Pres
byterian church, Of Winston-Salem,
N. c., offered prayer just before
the oaths of office were admins
tered.
JUDGE BELLS RECORD
AT BAR AND ON BENCH
CAIRO, Ca, July 25.-That Gov
ernor Hardwick's appointment OF
Judge r. C. Bell to the Georgia
court of appeals is a fitting recogni-
ton of a jurist of high standing and
brilliant attachments is shown by
review of his career. His life from
the time he followed a plow on
Webster county farm to his recent
appointment is interesting, to say
the least
u Judge Bell was born on a farm
in Webster county January %, 1880,
and lived there, with all of the ex-
periences of farm life as boy, until
he was sixteen.
Having taken snatches Of school
ing between the pillow seasons. IN
Guiding attendance for a few terms
in the public schools OF Richland,
he began teaching school a short
time before he became seventeen.
During the next five years he taught
school in Webster, Randolph ana
Stewart counties.
In 1901 he entered the Mercer Law
school and was admitted to the prac>
tice of law in Macon the following
year. Not yet satisfied with his edu-
cational attachments, he pursued
studies in the literary department OF
Mercer in 10000. Immediately after
which he began the practice OF law
in Sylvester. He began in part
nership with c.. E. Hay, now solicitor
general Of the Southern circuit, re-
siding at Thomasville.
When this partnership was dis
solved, Judge Bell formed another
with Mr.. L. D. Passmore, promi-
nent attorney, still living at Syl-
vester.
SHe removed to Cairo in August,
1905, and resumed the practice or
law in a partnership with j. ..
Weatners, a lifelong friend. rms
was soon dissolved, but was re-es-
tablished in 1912, and continued un-
til January, 1920.
Judge Bell was elected solicitor
general of the Albany circuit in
1912 in one Of the most vigorous
campaigns known to this section OF
the state, carrying by large MAORI
ties six of the eight counties of the
circuit.
He served this office with, credit,
and was reelected without opposi-
ion in 1916. Following this term, he
was elected judge Of the circuit in
1920 without opposition, being sue
ceeded as solicitor by B. G. Gardner,
a prominent Camilla attorney.
AS poor as lad and a young
man could be, he worked and paid
for all the education he ever re-
ceived, except that in the public
schools within reach Of his home.
He made his own way at every
step of his life excepting, of course,
the support of friends attracted by
his own determination to succeed.
He joined the Baptist church at
the age of IS, and continued with
this church until about twelve years
ago, when he united with the local
Presbyterian church, in which he
first served as deacon and later as
elder.
January %. 1908, Judge Bell mar
ried Miss Jennie Vereeu, second
daughter of Mr.. and Mrs. w. c..
-,Vereen, of Moultrie. They have two
children; a son, Vereen Bell, aged
10, and daughter, Alexandra,
aged Z.
While on the bench Judge Bell
served in various parts of the state,
and made friends wherever he went
He served on. the state supreme
court during the present year on
special appointment by the gov.
ernOr.
He was also appointed as one of
the five judges on the prison farm
investigation in June Of this year.
since which investigation no fur
Their controversies concerning condi-
tons at the farm have appeared.
AS citizen, Judge Bell has al.
ways been factor for good in the
community. He has always been &C.
tive in any public issue in which the
welfare Of the community was in.
volved, and his influence for good
has been widely felt in the develop
ment of Cairo and this Immediate
section. And always he has stood
as Christian gentleman.
AS solicitor he won quite a repu.
tation for his fairness to the accused
and for his impartial way of ham
ding all the affairs of his office. He
discharged his duties at all times
with credit