Page:The Green Bag (1889–1914), Volume 07.pdf/204

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A Sketch of the Supreme Court of Ohio.

177

Governor St. Clair under the Territorial office ever held by him. It was said by government, and the first term of the Court one who knew Judge Pease well, that "His of Common Pleas and General Quarter Ses forensic arguments, though not florid and sions held on the Western Reserve was held brilliant, but frequently sparkling with wit at Warren, Aug. 25, 1800. Judge Pease and humor, were able and effective, and but was appointed clerk, holding the office until few lawyers were more successful in their the Constitution of 1802 was adopted. The practice." " As a member of the Bar, he first session of the Supreme Court under was much respected, and always fair and

the Constitution was held at Warren, Trum honorable in his practice; and never sought bull County, on the an advantage not due first Tuesday of June, to truth and justice." He was said to be an 1803. The first judi cial act passeddivided adept at relating anec dotes about lawyers the State into three circuits, and Judge in different parts of Pease was appointed, the country. He told by the Legislature, a good one ofa promi president judge of nent professional man the third circuit, in in the east. " Mr. — swore in the presence April, 1803, when of some one to whom only twenty-seven years of age. He it was offensive, who asked him if he swore held the office until Mar. 4, 18 10, when before his wife? 'Oh,' said Mr. —, ' we are he sent his resignation toGovernor Hunting not particular; some ton. After his resig times she swearsfirst, nation Judge Pease and sometimes I do.'" resumed the practice He was a good law of his profession, and yer, but he did not for several years was care to read much the agent of the Post law. The lawyers I complained that he Office Department, rendering important did not keep up with MILTON SUTLIFF. the current decisions services to the Gov ernment, by assisting to map out mail routes, reported in books to which he did not have etc. access. His reply was : " When I was ap In 18 12 he was chosen to represent his pointed judge I only contracted to work up district in the State Senate, and in 1815-16 the stock on hand, and the Legislature are was made a judge of the Supreme Court of too mean to give me a salary sufficient to Ohio; when his term expired in 1822-23 study any more." Judge Pease died at his he was elected to another term of seven residence in Warren, on the 17th of Septem years. In 1830 his last term expired, and ber, 1839, leaving a widow and three chil again he began the practice which he kept dren. Judge Thurman, in relating his first visit up so long as he lived. In 1831 he was elected a representative to the Legislature to a court room, said of him: "There sat, from Trumbull County, which was the last presiding, one of the finest specimens of