Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 03.pdf/542

 The Supreme Court of New Jersey.

503

instructor that he should become indepen by far the most important in the State. dent and fight his own way, opened an office Newark, the largest city in New Jersey, is in in Belvidere, and soon gathered around him Essex; and Elizabeth, an important town, in a circle of warm friends and admiring clients. Union. Of the characteristics of this illustrious He had not been idle during his clerkship, but man it is almost impossible to write and do had applied himself industriously and care fully to the study of the law, not alone as the them justice without seeming fulsome. For means by which he was to earn his bread, but a quarter of a century he has been the Circuit from a pure love for the science. After he be Judge of Essex County. For a large part of that time that county

gan the practice of his has comprised all there profession, he did not isof hiscircuit. Union allow himself to be was long since placed drawn aside by the am in that of Judge Van bition of acquiring po Syckel. From the litical honors, so com first term of court mon to young lawyers. held by him, Judge He was a born lawyer, Depue fastened him and delighted in delv self upon the affection ing into the abstruse and confidence of the principles of legal sci people, and they have ence. He did not never swerved from study law simply to their loyalty to him. use it for the present They believe in him; exigency, nor to pre his word is law, his pare himself for fu judgment conclusive, ture contests, but be his opinion implicitly cause he loved its trusted; juries have abstract ideas, and an abiding faith in revelled in its meta his utterances. It is physics. He soon led sometimes amusing to the bar in his part of watch the jurors after the State, and became a wearisome trial, after known as a highly JOSEPH D. BEDLE accomplished lawyer, lawyers have bad gered them with their an astute counsellor, and a powerful advocate. So when in 1866 conflicting views, and the time comes for he became an Associate Judge, he brought the judge to give his opinion of the case, and to the office an unusual preparation for the see them start from their listless position proper performance of its duties. He did not and become all alive. Now, they seem to seek the nomination, and could in no sense say, we shall get at the right of it; now we have been considered a candidate. In fact, can learn what is our duty; and so their he wrote to Governor Ward, when he heard eyes kindle, their faces are all aglow; and that his name was mentioned in connection as the words drop in measured tones, each strong and driven home by inexorable logic with the position, that he was not an appli cant for the nomination. So soon as he was and convincing argument, they clearly see appointed, he removed to Newark, where he what their duty is in the case, and what is has ever since resided. His circuit at first the law involved. If there be one quality of comprised the counties of Essex and Union, Judge Depue's mind which is more marked