Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 06.pdf/311

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
This page needs to be proofread.
282
The Green Bag.

Oliver Miller was among the very few judges of the Court of Appeals who were not Marylanders by birth. He was born at Middletown, Conn., April 15, 1824. At an early age, he went to live with his sister, Mrs. Converse, whose husband was principal of an academy at Frederick, Md. After an excellent preliminary education, he entered Dartmouth Gollege, and graduated with distinction in 1,848, and the same year went to Annapolis, Md., studied law with Hon. Alexander Randall, and was admitted to the Bar in 1850. For ten years from 1852 he was reporter of the Court of Appeals. He was among the small number of Demo crats who sat in the Constitutional Conven tion of 1864, and greatly distinguished him self as a powerful speaker. He represented Anne Arundel County in the House of Dele gates in 1865-67, and in the latter year was elected Speaker. In November, 1867, he was elected to the Court of Appeals, and at the expiration of his term of fifteen years, was re-elected in 1882. Judge Miller possessed personal and mental characteristics that made him one of the most remarkable men that have been on the Bench of the Court of Appeals within the memory of living men. His opinions have cc^itributed to sustain the great reputation which the court enjoys throughout the United States. He was a most patient, hard-working, industrious judge, and among his associates the great est respect was paid to his opinions. After serving twenty-five years on the Bench of the Court of Appeals, Judge Miller retired on account of his declining health, to the regret of all the members of the court and the lawyers who practiced before it. He died in 1892 at Annapolis, which city had been his home for forty-four years.

Bench elected at that time. He was born in Caroline County, Md., on the 6th of Decem ber, 1827. He graduated at Dickinson Col lege, Pa., in 1847, and after studying law for two years, was admitted to the Bar in 1849. He practiced his profession at Centreville, Queen Anne's County. In January, 1 85 1, when only twenty-four years old, he was appointed deputy attorney-general for that county; and in November of the same year was elected State's attorney. In 1864 he was elected judge of the circuit which comprises the counties of Kent and Queen Anne's. In 1867, as we have seen, he was elected to the Court of Appeals. During the twenty-six years that he has been on the appellate Bench, he has delivered upwards of four hundred opinions, covering many subjects of importance, and displaying a profound legal learning, a wide range of thought and an extraordinary variety of reading. Judge Robinson is a hard worker, and never misses a day's attendance during the sitting of the Court of Appeals. He is a man of the highest honor, of unyielding integrity, and of a stern sense of duty. His splendid service on the Bench for fifteen years gave such general satisfaction, that at the expiration of his first term in 1882, he was re-elected without opposition. His pres ent term will expire in 1897, and he will the same year complete the constitutional limitation of seventy years; but he is so vigorous in mind and body that the Legisla ture will no donbt pass a special act allowing him to enter upon a third term if he should wish to continue on the Bench. He has al ready been a member of the Court of Ap peals longer than any other judge since the formation of the tribunal, except Chief Justice John Buchanan.

John Mitchell Robinson, who was ap pointed Chief Justice of the Court of Ap peals after the resignation of Judge Alvey, was elected a judge of the court in 1867, and is the only one of the present appellate

Hon. George Brent was born in Charles County, Maryland, in September, 181 7. His parents were George Brent and Matilda Brent, nee Thomas. His mother was the daughter of Major Thomas, of St. Mary's