Commonwealth, and received a unanimous nomination from the Democratic Conven tion. He had not sought the nomination, and he did not decline; but he put himself in the dignified position that he would do nothing to aid his election. He was a judge of the highest tribunal in the State; as such judge it was not proper that he should de scend from his position and become an active seeker for the suffrages of the people. So he refused to resign as judge, and would take no part in the canvas. Many doubted the wisdom of his decision, and argued that he should resign and become an active par tisan. But he was right in his high-minded resolution, and the people appreciated his determination. He was elected over one of the most popular men in New Jersey, by a very large and triumphant majority. His administration as Governor was able, vigor ous, and marked by prudence and patriotism, and he retired from the office at the expira tion of his term, more firmly than ever intrenched in the admiration and confidence of his constituents. He was one of the youngest judges who ever sat on the bench, being only thirty-four years of age when nominated. It could not be expected that he would manifest, as a judge, that profundity of learning, that grasp of thought, and that rich experience which can only be gained by long years of practice Judge Bedle took his seat on the bench in the June term of the year 1865, and rendered his first decision at that term. It was given in a very important cause, but there was enough in it to put the young judge upon his mettle, and he fully satisfied his friends of his ability to grapple with such cases as might be submitted to him. His next opinions were given at the November term of the same year, when he rendered several upon the matter of taxation, — a subject which had been and was still a vexata questio with the court. The law in several particulars was settled by these decisions, and the members of the court unanimously concurred with him.
His opinions, however, while not profound nor abstrusely learned, yet are able, strong, vigorous, and convincing, and have received the confidence of the bar. He was alertminded and fertile, and soon learned that to be excellent as a judge he must combine sound argument, quickness of perception, a keen appreciation of the true facts of every cause, with an ability to analyze and promptly select and seize the salient points and princi ples involved in the cases presented to him. He was a just judge, with one abiding rule, to ascertain the right in a suit, and then dis pense justice so that the right might be protected. He is now in full practice at Jersey City, doing a very large and lucrative business, being counsel for many important corpora tions. He is one of the most genial of men; his face always wears a smile, and a look into it is an inspiration. Van Cleve Dalrimple was born in Morris County in 182 1 . His father was Joseph Dalrimple, long before the community in that county as a man in public life and foremost in his political party. He was for several years a Judge of the Court of Com mon Pleas. The family, as its name indi-. cates, was of Scotch descent, and traces its genealogy for several generations, through a Morris County ancestry up to the original Scotchman who first settled there. Judge Dalrimple, when quite a lad, determined to become a lawyer, and prepared himself in his education for legal studies. He pursued an academic course in Morristown, and in dustriously employed all the appliances within his reach in the direction of the bar. At the age of nineteen he entered the office of Henry A. Ford, then a lawyer in full prac tice in Morristown, and in due course became an attorney in 1843, and a counsellor in 1847. Immediately upon being licensed he opened an office in Morristown, and early acquired a very respectable clientage. His rise at the bar was remarkable for the celerity with which it was gained. Morris County has always been remarkable for its accomplished
