Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 02.pdf/531

of his court, after an existence of two years, State. Judge Foster enjoys a popularity Judge Cushing again gathered his faithful unequalled by any other judge or lawyer, clients about him, and passed the remainder for he adds to his extensive legal lore and of his days amid the exquisite scenery of his love of patient research that sweetness of native Charlestown. manner and consideration of others that Isaac W. Smith had been a member of the have gained for him a popular regard, as old court, and was to become a member of well as the filial affection of the younger the new court which the exigencies of poli members of the profession. tics was soon to decree, thus furnishing a Edward D. Rand, one of the circuit judges, somewhat unusual experience of being a was a polished scholar, whose inclinations justice of three different courts in almost as toward literature were strong; and had he yielded, and given himself to the service of many years. In this anomalous experience the Chief- the Muses, a brilliant memory would have Justice of the Circuit Court, William L. Fos been left in the realm of letters. In July, 1876, Governor Cheney, the new ter, was another participant. Judge Foster had been on the old bench since 1869; and Republican Executive, under the act of a although a Republican, the Democrats very Republican legislature remodelling the court becomingly made him the Chief of their presented these lawyers to the people of New Hampshire as their Supreme Court : new lower court. Judge Foster was pre eminently distinguished by a gentleness and Charles Doe, Chief-Justice; William L. dignity that gained for him the immediate Foster, Clinton W. Stanley, Aaron W. esteem of the bar and the good-will of the Sawyer, George A. Bingham, and William people. He was the ideal presiding-justice H. H. Allen, associates. This court is still of the court, and his manner exercised a in esse, although deaths and resignations have largely changed its members, so that softening influence on the rude and some times boisterous performances of excited to-day but two judges, Doe and Allen, have remained continuously from the first. In counsel. Judge Foster was early distin guished by his rare gift of classical oratory, 1877 Judge Sawyer resigned, and ex-Judge which his elevation to the bench necessarily Isaac W. Smith came on for the third The Legislature this year added discouraged, but by no means destroyed. time. He is still recognized as the most finished another justice, and the Attorney-General, advocate in the State, and his jury addresses Lewis W. Clark, was appointed. In 1880 Judge Bingham having been are masterpieces of winning rhetoric. He is a man of decided literary tastes, with a nominated for Congress left the bench, and strong leaning toward modern novels, which Isaac N. Blodgett of Franklin took his In July, of the following year, are the constant companions of his leisure place. hours. In 1876 the Republicans had their Judge Foster retired, being succeeded by day, and like the Democrats of 18 16, — or Alonzo P. Carpenter, a distinguished law Republicans, as they were then called, — yer from the northern part of the State. took summary revenge by creating their Judge Stanley died in December, 1884, and court and abolishing the judicial system of ex-Judge Bingham resumed his old position. The present court consists of Chief-Justice their opponents, which had been so recently established. To this court Judge Foster was Doe, and Judges Allen, Smith, Clark, Blodg appointed an associate, holding the office ett, Carpenter, and Bingham. The Attorneyuntil 188 1, when he resigned; and going General, Daniel Barnard, succeeded Mason into practice soon had the satisfaction of W. Tappan, who died in 1886. The salary securing a large and lucrative clientage of the Chief is $3,500, and of the associ which calls him to every county in the ates, S3, 300. The Attorney-General receives