Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-12-17
ASSOCIATES OF BENCH and bar !
] ASSEMBLE TO HONOR JUSTICE
WILLIAM H. FISHER OF AUGUSTA
tcontinued from Paa. on.)


| He expressed his thanks, to the
\ "boys" OF the Kennebec Bar for their
kindness both in the court room and
/ out, and speaking directly to his sue
| cessor, declared that IL the members
| of Kennebec Bar could bring into his
| life one half of the pleasure they
| have brought into the life OF the
| speaker, he would indeed be happy
man when he reached the age OF
] Judge Beane.
Judge Harold M. Cook
| Judge Of Probate Harold NJ. Cook
began his speech by saying that the
members of the Kennebec bar ex-
tended to Justice Fisher their sheer
est and best wishes for long, sue
He declared that he could not say
more and should not say less.
He spoke of the formation Of our
government and of the distribution of
power in the three divisions, execu-
tive, legislative and judicial In tbs
constitution, provision was made for
the people to add to or amend the
document. But few times in over a
century since the constitution was
, drawn up has such action been taken,
although many amendments have
been proposed.
At the present time there are over
100 amendments pending In Con-
gress, all backed up by strong organ
izations, and many of which are aim
ed to vest in the federal government
that power which rightly belongs 20
the state. One of these amendments
would give to Congress the right to
legislate and to decide upon the con-
stitutionalty of its acts. This would
in effect give 1t power to abolish
state lines, to lengthen its own term
of office or to encroach upon the
power of the supreme court. In fact
If this amendment were passed Gnd
the power thus given to Congress
were not rightly used. 1t might be
necessary for the people to again de-
clare their independence as they did
| in 1916.
J He brought out that Chief Justice
Marshall had declared the constitu-
! ton to be the final and supreme law
of this nation and urged the legal
fraternity of this country to stand
! firm for the rights Of the people, for
/ the constitution of the United States
! and for the supreme court which up
holds that constitution.
Judge Fisher In Response
Justice William II. Fisher in
response to the fluctuations of his
bretheren of the Kennebec Bar ex-
! pressed his anxiety that he might
not adequately convey to them his
. appreciation of their courtesy. He
said that he had been somewhat en-
/ barrased by the words of the speak.
! ers but that withal he was forced
o. Ia "A
termed, this as the happiest moment
of his life, not because of his APP
pointment to the bench but because
of the expressions OF confidence, re-
gard and good will on the part OF
the members OF the Bar. He queried
whether there Is anything better
than the friendship and regard OF
those with whom one has worked
for years, except it be love.
Justice Fisher spoke of his pleas
ure that his friend. l.. T. Carleton
J, could be present and then told OF
:: the first jury case which he had
tried and in which Mr.. Carleton was
the prosecuting attorney. This story
brought a good laugh from the
members of the bar, who from their
knowledge of MIR. Carleton could
appreciate the Joke even more.
/ The guest of honor expressed his
appreciation of the honor tended
him at the banquet and stated that
he was very proud to be n member
of the Kennebec Bar. He attributed
much of his success to the influence
help and example of its members
and asked that they might always
look upon him in the same light
that they had in the past
Governor Baxter Unable to Re
Present
During the evening letters Of re-
greet from a number OF prominent
men who were unable to attend were
throp, chairman of the banquet
committee. The letters were from
His Excellency Governor Percival P
Baxter, Mavor Ernest l.. Mclean oil
Augusta, Active Retired Justice
George +. Bird. Active Re.
tired Justice Albert NJ. Spear
Justice Charles J. Dunn, Jus.
tice Luere B. Deasy. all OF the
Supreme Court. Justice Lauren NJ
Sanborn, of the Cumberland County
Superior court, Justice Henry W
Cakes of the Androscoggin County
Superior court, Justice George Fl
| Worcester of the Penobscot County
Superior court and Attorney Gen.
eral Ransford w. Shaw.
The letter of Governor Baxter was
as follows:
Dear Judge Foster:
ut is with especial regret that
write to say that cannot attend the
complimentary banquet which the
Bar of Kennebec County Is to tender
to Hon. William II. Fisher. Judge OF
the Superior Court. Unfortunately
have arranged to be in Washington
on the fifteenth to attend the Wilson
Memorial Exercises at the Capitol
and a business matter connected
with the State will detain me in Bos-
ton on the succeeding day.
There Is no man whom would
enjoy more in greeting and in honor
ing than Judge Fisher. For three
years he and I worked side by side
in the State House and his kindly
and wise advice helped me over
many difficult places. In appointing
him to the Judgeship hai but one
regret, which was that should Il &c
him as a neighbor at the Capitol
Judge Fisher represents the highest
type of jurist and finest type of cit
izen and friend.
"Wil' you please say 10 Judge
Fisher and % those present at your
banquet that / shall think Of them
on Tuesday evening and shall wish