Marietta Daily Leader

A Deserved Compliment.

At a meeting of the Washington County Bar Association held Saturday the following resolutions were adopted:

WHEREAS, Our fellow townsman, Judge H. L. Sibley, after occupying the Common Pleas bench of said county for the past fourteen years, will, very shortly, resign to accept the position of Circuit Judge of this circuit.

THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, By the bar of Washington county that Judge Sibley, by his uniformly courteous and impartial treatment of members of the bar, as well as his able, honest and painstaking consideration and decision of all legal matters to him submitted—entitles him, and the bar of Washington county unanimously tenders him, its sincere regards and appreciation as a man, citizen, and judge.

RESOLVED, That a copy of these resolutions be presented to Judge Sibley.

RESOLVED, That these resolutions be spread upon the Journal of the Common Pleas Court of Washington county.

M. D. FOLLETT,
Chairman.
R. A. UNDERWOOD,
Secretary.

Judge Sibley had been kept in ignorance of the Bar meeting, or adoption of the resolutions given above. At 2 o'clock he came into court for the purpose of disposing of some matters before finally adjourning the term. After the opening of court W. G. Way handed the Judge a copy of the resolutions with the request that the Judge order them spread on the Journal. The Judge, with his accustomed caution, glanced at the paper before making the order asked for. He was so taken by surprise that for a moment, after taking in its contents, he was not able to express himself.
He thanked the bar in a feeling manner for their kind expressions, and said that such action was far more gratifying than the recent Judicial honor conferred on him. He spoke of his long continuance on the Common Pleas Bench, perhaps longer than any other one person, and said that during that long period he had received nothing but the kindest and most respectful treatment from the bar. He spoke of the high attainments of the Washington County Bar, and of the courtesy and fraternal spirit animating them.
He closed by saying that on some future occasion he hoped in a social way to testify to his respect for his legal brethren.
While the action of the bar was no doubt gratifying to Judge Sibley, yet we feel that he is fairly entitled to the compliment paid him, by his unspotted judicial, and private life. He has been a hard student not only of legal matters, but of general literature as well, and deservedly stands high as a lawyer, and well informed gentleman.