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 A Sketch of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

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doctrine that the dominant purpose of streets elected at the ensuing election, taking his is to facilitate public travel, and that the position upon the bench of that court on rights of a telephone company in the streets the ninth day of February, 1S87; was its is subordinate to the rights of the public Chief Justice Feb. 9, 1891, until Feb. g, in the streets for the purpose of travel. 1892, when he entered upon his second Marshall J. Williams, a present mem term as judge of that court. Judge Williams ber of the Supreme Court, was born on a possesses a high order of legal and judicial farm in Fayette County, Ohio, February 22, mind, and his opinions speak well for his 1837. He had the educational advantages ability. Judge Williams was elected as the afforded by the excellent common schools first Dean of the Faculty of the Law Depart at Washington C. H., to which was added ment of the Ohio State University, and was a course of two years at the Ohio Wesleyan active in the promotion of the school. He University; after which he commenced the is in the full possession of physical health study of law in the office of Hon. Nelson and intellectual vigor, which, with his in Rush, then one of the prominent lawyers in dustrious habits, enable him to accomplish that part of the State. He was admitted to a vast amount of work. the bar in November, 1857, and immediately Joseph P. Bradbury has been a mem entered upon the active practice of his ber of the Supreme Court since 1888. He profession at Washington C. H., taking a began the practice of the law in 1866, at prominent position at the bar. In 1859 Union City, Indiana, removing to Pomeroy he was elected prosecuting attorney, and in the fall of the same year, where he has re-elected to a second term; after the com since continued to reside. In 1869 he was pletion of his term in that office he rapidly elected prosecuting attorney of Meigs grew into an extensive and lucrative practice, County, and re-elected in 1871. In 1878 being retained on one side or the other of he was elected Common Pleas judge for a the most important cases in the courts of short term, and re-elected in 1876 and 1881. his county, his practice extending to the Judge Bradbury was especially qualified for surrounding counties. He pursued success a trial judge, because of his keen perceptive fully the business of his profession uninter powers, quickness of action, and sound ruptedly until 1869, when he was elected judgment. There was no unnecessary delay representative in the General Assembly, in his court as a nisi prius judge. This serving two terms therein. He was a re course at first may not have been altogether cognized leader of that body, a clear and satisfactory to some members of the Bar forcible debater, and no one possessed in a with whom he came in contact, but became greater degree the respect and confidence so later. of his fellow members. His counsel was Fvery one realizes that an accurate, much sought by members in the preparation thorough knowledge of the facts of any of legislative measures. Upon the close of case is a necessary preliminary to an ascer his legislative term of office, he resumed the tainment of the law, and that the sooner the practice of his profession until 1884, when trier masters the facts the sooner will his he was elected judge of the Second Circuit mind find occupation upon the important Court. He was chosen as the first Chief question of what rule of law applies .0 Justice of the Circuit Court of the State. them. If he be slow in comprehending with While occupying a position upon the bench exactness the controlling facts he will like of the Circuit Court, he was nominated by wise be slow in reaching the real work; if the Republican State Convention of 1886, quick, that work will soon be before him. for judge of the Supreme Court, and was In the quick grasp of facts, in the process