Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-05-01

zone OF the most grtifying and in
spring things that can come into the
life Of trial judge" said Judge Fred
Emery Beane, at a testimonial ban
quet rendered him Wednesday night
at the Augusta House by his breth-
rem of the Kennebec Bar, on the eve
Of his retirement. "is to feel that the
bond that unites him with the MEM
bers of the bar Is indeed a living
bond, to be cherished throughout
future years."
Such realization fully compen-
safes for many long hours OF effort
to make the court over which he
presides effective and of value. and
one in which the public as well as
the bar bears confidence.
THE trial justice finds reward If
these results are accomplished. but
the pleasure, the pride, the joy he
feels. filling his heart to overflow
ing. is when he realizes that the
members of the bar think Of him not
only as a judge. but as a true and
loyal friend. ever solicitOus for their
welfare and interested in their sue
cess as IL 1t were his own.
Brethren Of the Bar. with your
help much work has been accom-
plished in the superior court of this
county in the past 10 years. In that
time you have presented and l have
heard moro than 1000 divorces. / do
not want to praise or to find fault
with you for this, but / may suggest
a great opportunity is open for each
one Of you to elevate society and i'm
prove government by good advice
and wise counsel to libelants. Do
not accept such cases unless you
absolutely feel that a divorce should
be granted.
divorce is the bane of society, 1t
breaks up families and homes. and
1t Is detrimental to the welfare of
children. To me the separation Of
husband and wife is a crime and is
doing more in the undermining of
society and government than any
prohibited act now on our statutes.
Home and family are the foundations
of good government. Destroy the
foundation and government itself
fails and fades"
He then went on to give figures re-
garding the number Of cases handled
by the Kennebec county superior
court In the time that he had pre-
sided. Nearly 10000 civil cases have
been handled during that time. They
have averaged about $50 cases a
year. He declared that with the help
of the members Of the Kennebec
the cleanest docket in the State. as
there are less than 400 civil cases
and no criminal cases now left to be
adjusted.
In speaking to William Fl, Fisher,
whose nomination has been made to
that important position, he said. "To
my successor may I say: You have
been elevated to a high and respon-
sible position, where you will find
the duties arduous but pleasant. It
will require hard work, carefulness.
honesty Of purpose, moderation and
absolute patience upon your part.
If you can give to it the learning,
carefulness and thoughtfulness of a
Whitehouse. and the honesty, mod
GRAFTON, patience and refinement of a
Hall, you will honor yourself and
the State which you serve.
Il hope. l trust your work and
your associations may be as pleas
ant in the future as mine have been
in the past. No greater pleasure
can any man wish you.
I'm closing may Lask you members
OF the bar. who at all times in all
places, under all circumstances have
been so kind. so pleasant, so consid-
the same consideration and respect
to my successor for by your respect
full attitude toward the court, you
have placed yourselves upon high
plane. much higher. than the average,
and from which you have won the
merited distinction Of being the best
bar in Maine" -
Presentation of Books
"The Life OF John MARSHALL
beautiful set of books was presented
to Judge Beane, by Attorney George
Hesleton of Gardiner, upon behalf of
the members of the kennbc Bar. and
Judge Beane in response to the words
of Mr.. Heselton, declared that it would
always be a treasured possession
and that the first page, upon which
were the signatures of every man
who attended this banquet would be
especially treasured by him, although
he declared that he need never read
those names to remember all of his
good friends of the Kennepec Bar.
President l.. II. Carleton of the
Kennebec Bar, acted as POSTMASTER
of the evening. In short talk fol-
lowing the banquet, and before call
ing upon the speakers. Mr.. Carleton
said, 1.-THE occasion that brings us
here tonight, as we'll stated in the
notice which you received from our
distinguished secretary. The spirit
that prompted the issuing of that
notice, Is well understood by every
one present.
"Before calling upon our dis
tinguished guests and others for
some remarks. permit me to say
few words. This is no funeral oc-
casion, no sad requiem over a dead
body: of mourning for dereiict that
has been cast upon rugged shores OIL
time worn out. broken and useless be-
yond repair.
"But for other reasons are we as
sembled here tonight. We have
law, that compels, practically,
Judge TO retire from the bench when
he has reached a certain age, ana
thus the fact that Judge Beane has
reached that age limit, and for no
other reason. has compelled his re-
tirement, Notwithstanding that ne
is, as we all know, in the full pos
session Of all his splendid powers ana
in every way as well qualified to per-
form the duties Of Judge as he ever
was Regret Retirement
"Much might be said and properly
said on this occasion. Personaily !
feel need say but little. to express
the spirit, the purpose of this gath
ering. will not say delightful oc-
casion for It is not such to me nor
to YOU. to say goodby to Judge Beane
az Judge of our Superior Court. we
ali regret the occasion for 1t ana YET
the kindly, harmonious spirit; mere
manifest Is most delightful Inc
fact That YOU are here. the presence
II fhe members of the Kenneoec
County bar ia such large numbers. IS