Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1922-02-17
Former Mayor
Robinson Dies
in Portland Home

in Portland Home.
Portland, Feb. 15-Hon. Frank w.
Robinson. 6S, twice mayor, former
municipal court judge and prominent
lawyer here 40 years. died suddenly
this morning in his home, 169 High
street. While his health had declined
in the past few years, he did not COM
plain of any serious symptoms yes
terday, a sudden attack of heart
failure at midnight proving fatal i'll
less than two hours.
His activities began during his
High school career when he became
interested in military affairs. He was
instrumental in forming the Portland
Cadets, John Andersen, being the first
captain, and was succeeded by young
Robinson. Gen. Grant viewed a drill
in which the organization showed to
it's best and plimented officers
and men on their military hearing.
He was graduated from Portland
High school in 1873 and Robert +.
Peary, Josiah II. Dr.:mmod, William
III. Looney, Maj. Gen. Charles b. Hall
and DR.. Charles d. Smith were among
his classmates. He was graduated
from Harvard Law school in 1875
and was admitted 20 the bar immed-
lately.
His first official position was assis-
tant county attorney, by appointment,
and he was so named in 1877. He
was elected county attorney i'll 1883
and served one term.
Gov. Henry B. Cl"ayes appointed
him judge of the municipal court in
1895 and he served until the holly
contested municipal campaign opened
in the winter of 1899. He won the
Republican nomination and was the
first mayor after annexation of the
city of Deering. He carried seven
wards. his vote being 1872 as against
1854 for Llewellyn Barton. He was
elected for second term his vote
being 3946 against 2G90 for George
l.. SWEET.
Mayor Robinson was an exception
ally popular chief executive and met
the many difficult situations that
arose in welding together the PENN
sula and suburban districts so that
harmony has rcigned since for the
most part. He did not fancy longer
tenure than the customary two years
in City Hall and on his retirement,
breathed a silent valedictory on the
responsibilities of official position.
Judge Robinson had long been as
sociated with Charles +. Libby as a
law partner, later increased to three
by admission of Levi Turner and
later to four by admission of Howard
K. Ives. He is the last of the four
to so. Mr.. Libby has served as
mayor and Judge Turner retired
when elevated to the Superior Court
bench, taken by death II years ago.
He resumed practice of law in 1901
and was dozen years engrosscd in
his profession before thinking of re-
taxation or retirement. Death took
three members of the firm in rapid
succession, then Mrs. Robinson and
his law. Horace A. Davis. and
and his burden of sorrow undoubted-
~ had much to do with breaking his
spirit which was naturally gentle and
exceptionally sympathetic.
court practice in the past few years
and merely carried on in an advisory
capacity for old clients, in final pro-
cedure in estates and in caring for
his own financial affairs.
Few lawyers at the Cumberland |
bar could better him in play of quick |
wit, grasp of weakness in an OPP |
ponent's case or strength in that of |
his own client, the sort that de- |
velop in trial of causes on direct and !
cross examination. He was like a !
diamond pointed drill sinking into !
solid ledge when conducting an ex-
animation. 1t was his method as q |
lawyer and he maintained the same !
policy while on the bench.
If the lawyer on either side fell |
down or attempted camoufiage, Judge !
Robinson probed to bring out all the /
facts, regardless of whether they /
strengthened or weakened the prose- !
cution. He was slow to convict or !
find probable cause on shallow and |,
in secure foundations submitted by |
the prosecution and held that the |
presumption Of innocence of the ac- |
probable. to be the policy of exact !
justice.
He was student all his life, fond |
Of good literature and of correct rg-
lish. He enjoyed the friendship Of |
Speaker Reed and was often a visitor |
to the editorial rooms of all the news |
papers, forming an exceptionally |
strong friendship with the late L. H. |
Cobb. part owner and editor of the |
Press, years ago. Both long and !
short editorials in that paper in the |
Cobb regime originated in the active |
Robinson brain and occasionally were |
expressed in the Robinson diction.
He was affiliated with the Masons, |
Odd Fellows, was a member of the !
Cumberland club and the Cunners.
association and is survived by his |
daughter, Mrs. Horace A. Davis, who |
has made her home with her father !
nine years. Judge Robinson was born
Nov. 81, 1853, and had liyedaon High