The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1955-01-06
Neil C. FraIev
Is Sworn In As
.AsSOciateJudge
Becomes Gurrett County's
FIRST Judge After Approval
OF Amendment To Stote
Constitution BY Voters

Neil G. Fraley, of Oakland. in a
history making ceremony at the
Garrett County Court House ON
Monday afternoon, was sworn in
as an associate Judge of the Fourth
Judicial circuit. The first Judge
ever to be named in this county
the 60-year-old Republican was
sworn in by Richard L. Davis. clerk
of the Circuit court, before a group
of rs or more people.
Attending the ceremony were
Chief Judge George Henderson
and Associate Judge Morgan c.
Harris, of Cumberland; members
of the Garrett county bar. Garrett
county members of the General
Assembly, other elective office
holders and a number of friends
and relatives.
The new judge, native of Oak
land, was appointed by Gov. Nc
Keldin several weeks ago to fill
one of six circuit judgeships ere
ated by referendum in the No
vember election this year. Elected
State Senator in 1850, Fraley was
not candidate for re-electior. md
ended his term officially Oh AN
uary
The brief ceremony was in
charge of Judge Henderson. Mr..
Davis handed Fraleys commission
to Judge Henderson which was
read by him, declaring the gov
ernor, having trust and confidence
in your integrity, prudence and
ability, you are hereby appointed
and commissioned associate Judge
of the 4th judicial circuit of Mary
land, to serve until the next gen
eral election in 1856; to exc
cute the duties of said position
with fidelity and zeal for the in
terest and advantage of the state
Of Maryland"
The oath was administered Inv
Mr.. Davis with Fraley holding his
right hand upon his own personal
Bible which he had used formerly
when being sworn in as States Al
torney here. Not only was the now
! Judge given the usual constitution
al oath to support the constitu-
ton of the United States, to be
faithful and bear true allegiance
to the State of Maryland and
that he would to the best of his
skill and judgment diligently and
faithfully, without Partially or
/ prejudice, execute the office" but
he also swore that l will not di-
rectly or indirectly receive the
profits or any part Of the profits
of any other office during the
term of my acting as associate
judge of the 4th Judicial Circuit
of Maryland"
Judge Henderson called on w.
r. Offutt, dean of the Garrett
County bar for appropriate re-
marks, and also on Asa T. Mat
thews, in whose office Fraley had
studied law for three years, 1912
to 1915. Mr.. Offutt pointed out
that the county was 81 years of
age and for the first time was hav-
ing a judge Of its own. He felt it
was the concensus of the local bar
association that the selection Gov
ernor McKeldin had made was d
good one. Mr.. Matthews said the
county had been most fortunate in
having men on the bench of high
character and congra tulated the
new judge and the people of the
county in having a Garrett coun-
| tlan now on the bench.
Judge Harris also expressed his
pleasure in having a part in the
| proceedings which he termed a
historical moment for the county,
and called attention to Judge Fra
ley's service as states attorney
and senator with distinction
Judge Henderson after congratu-
latory remarks, then declared they
should recognize the supreme
court of the new judge and asked
his wife to come to the front of
the room where those assembled
could offer their congratulations to
Continued on Page Three)