Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1926-12-15
HON. WILLIAM r. PATTANGALL
Associate Justice, Maine Supreme
Supreme judicial Court

II is or supreme Importance that
the integrity of the courts and the
confidence of the people in them be
maintained" declared Governor Ralph
o. Brewster, speaking Tuesday eve
ming at the Augusta House before
Chief Justice Scott Wilson, several
justices of the supreme court of
Maine and the members of the Kenne-
bee Bar Association, who had gath
cred to pay tribute to Mr.. Justice Will
liam r. Pattangall. member of Ken
nebec Bar and who is now the Junior
justice of the supreme court.
Governor Brewster pointed out that
this may best be done by keeping a
high regard for the position and by
appointing only men who will give
their best He declared that today
the members of the supreme judicial
court make great sacrifices of a ma
terial nature to serve their State. and
cited figures to show that the increase
in the salaries for the justices for a
considerable period of years has in
no way kept up with the increase in
the salaries of the layman. He said
that it is a deplorable fact that the
supreme court justices are paid but
approximately $40 day, and advocat-
ed that the Kennebec Bar Association
in particular, because of the especially
large number s=of justices which have
come from that organization. should
address themselves to securing relief
along these lines.
He drew a comparison between the
judiciary of this State and OF states
in which the judges are elected and
declared that the people of Maine
should be grateful to those people who
dreW<up the constitution and to those
who have kept it inviolate in this re-
gard, as they have thus escaped the
peril of frequent recall of judicial de-
cisions through the recall of the
judges. The Maine court as a result
has been characterized for many years
by reason of the soundness of their
| decisions
Hon. l.. T. Carleton. POSTMASTER
Hon. L. T. Carleton of Winthrop.
president and dean of the Kennebec
Bar Association and POSTMASTER at
this complimentary banquet, in open
ing the post-prandial exercises stated
that the bar of Kennebec county felt
particularly proud because of the ele-
walton at different times of one of its
number to the bench. He pointed out
that there are now several members
of that association on the supreme
bench and declared that 1t proved that
there is wonderful judicial material in
Kennebec county. He further declared
that Governor Brewster in appointing
Justice Pattangall to the bench had
pleased everyone very much.
Judge Maher
After the address by Governor
Ralph o. Brewster Hon. & F. Maher,
lawyer and member of the state Sem
ate, was introduced as the Silver
tongued orator of Kennebec Bar and
of Kennebec Valley" In glowing
words he told of the great men who
had gone from Maine to the nations !
Capitol to take the lead in activities |
there, men such as James G. Blaine, /
Nelson Dingley, Orville Baker and !
many Others and drew a comparison /
that was not unfavorable between the /
guest of honor and these He pointed /
out that already he has shown ten
dency not to follow blindly in the steps
of others, but to think for himself and
to interpret the law as 1t should be.
Judge Johnson !.
Judge Charles F. Johnson, Of the
United States Circuit Court of APP
peaIs at Portland. a member of Ken
nebec Bar Association expressed his
regret that Justice Pattangall must
leave the active trial of cases as he
believed that he would be most val
liable to the people of the state In
he actual conduct of cases. He stat
d however that the Junior justice is
we'll fitted in every way to carry out
he duties of this office and compli-
49, - Hot hi !
election.
Chief Justice
Chief Justice Scott Wilson of Port
and, speaking on behalf of the Su
RENE Judicial Court said that while
e was in hearty accord with the SEN
iments which had been expressed
uring the evening he felt that other
lembers of the Bench who had come
rom Kennebec Bar should be spoken
f at this time, and in well chosen
nd sincere words he complimented
ctive Retired Justice Albert M.
pear, Justice Warren C. Philbrook
nd Justice Norman L. Bassett upon
heir ability.
In closing he described briefly some
f the changes which have occurred
!, the history of Jurisprudence and
his belief that there are
,anv problems which must be solved.
9 conditions are changing constant
?. There is the possibility of the law
ecoming commercia1ized and in this
sgard the Maine bar and the county
ars should determine the needs OF
,e profession and to make sugges-
ons to keen up the true worth OF
,e profession. In the solving of
1ese problems the new justice would
Undoubtedly be of GREAT assistance.
Judge PattangalI Responds
Justice Pattangall in answering
Rat or1-r, mr.