The Holland Society of New York - Yearbook (New York, NY)

Page 165 text:

99 , Si ,ned by the Governor. Upon the organization g . . . . of the Commission provided for in that act, he was appointed -pne of the counsel. for the Board, and acted 1n that capaclty unt1l elected to the ch.- bellni November, 1894, he was elected Judge of the Superior Court of s the City of New York, on the union ticket, and upon the consolidation of the courts under the newnconstitution on January I, 1,896 he became a .Iust1ce of the Supreme Court in the first department. In A meeting was held in the county court-house, atwhich were present the justices of the various courts and many members of the bar, among whom were very many of the leaders of the profession in the city. The Justices of the Supreme Court en- tered the court room gowned and in a body, and occupied seats immediately in front of the bench on which their late colleague had presided as-a Justice of the Appellate Term. Presiding Justice Van 'Brunt of the Appellate Division presided. S l-le said that when almost the same body of men had 1net a few Weeks ago to honor the memory of justice Smyth, theylittle thought, as they looked at Justice Beek- man, who appeared the picture of health and vigor, 'they would have soon to meet and express their re- gret at his death. Justice Van Brunt alluded to joustice Beekman's unswerving integrity' and devo- tlon to duty, mentioning also the fact that notwith- standing the strength and earnestness of Justice Beekman's convictions, l1e always had the greatest charity for those who differed with him, and whom he bel1eved to be wrong. a C ' We of the Appellate Division he added U knew his worth ' 7 well. Whenever an appeal was, taken from a decision of his, ind the record was presented to us for review, we knew that . 15 flCC1S1QI1 had only been reached after a thorough and search- E18 1f1vest1gat1on of the facts and a thorough analysis of the law deafmg on the case. The vacancy left in any court by .the eath of such a man is one very hard to 511. We desire to ex- press tp h1s friends and relatives our sincere and heartfelt sym- Pafhy lnthe loss sustained by them, and also to place on record

Page 164 text:

98 .4 An upright Christian, full of kindness and helpfulness he adorned the doctrine of Christ our Saviour, by a consistent Walk and holy life. He will be sadly missed by many, andthe sore trial of separation has come to. those who dearly loved him, but with it the assurance that he 1S at rest. ' Father, in Thy gracious keeping I Leave me now Thy servant, sleepingf ' Write blessed are the dead which die in the Lord, from henceforthig yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours 5 and their works do follow them.' JUSTICE HENRY RUTGER BEEKMAN, one of the trustees of the Society, died suddenly, December 17, 1900, just as he had left home to go to'court. justice Beekman was born 1n New York 1n 1845, and was educated at Columbia College, graduating in 1865. He then entered the Law School of that institution, and on completing that course was ad- mitted to the bar in 1867. Prom that time he con- tinued in the active practice of his profession until his elevation to the bench in 1894. L ' He was appointed Park Commissioner by Mayor Grace in 1884, serving for a time as presi- dent of the Department of Parks. In 1886 he was elected President of the Board of Aldermen, and served in that capacity for a term of one year, at the expiration of which Mayor Hewitt ap- pointed him Counsel to the Corporation. ' This ofiice he held until Mayor Grant appointed his suc- cessor. In' 1889 Governor I-Iill named him as one of the Commissioners for the Promotion of Uniformity of Legislation in the United States, with respect to marriage, divorce, and other subjects, and he took an active part in the work of that body until his election as judge. , ' While acting as Counsel to the Corporation, Mr. Beekman was active in the promotion of legislation respecting rapid transit, and subsequently, in 1894, when the subject was taken in hand by the Cham- ber of Commerce, he drew the bill for that body which was introduced in the Legislature and ulti- mately passed, with some slight modifications, and si U Ofth' 3 poi arid benC In Supe the U Cou1'tS 1896, the flfl A m at whia COUITS 1 were va the city tered t. occupief which tQ of the A of the A when ali Weeks ag they littg man, whl they won .gret at h justice B tion to di standing Beekman: Charity f0 he believe I uwe of tk well. When iid fhff reco .15 fleclsion jing ljlvestigai eafmg on tk Press to his f, Pathy inthe

Page 166 text:

IOO ret at the loss to the bench of this our deep and lasting reg State resulting from his death. John E. Parsons moved the adoption of formal resolutions, and then delivered a eulogistic address on the latejustice, dwelling on his judicial imparti- ality, and his qualifications for the bench. Justice Scott seconded the resolutions, which re- cited of justice Beekman: His ancestors, through a long line of distinguished members, illustrated the best characteristics of the race from which they sprung. No one was more distinguished as a citizen or has left a more notable record. None could have been a better rep- resentative of the sturdy Dutch people who settled in New York. He was gifted with a great capacity for work, and with cor- responding industry. He had an exalted sense of the duties of citizenship. He identified himself with every reform move- ment which looked to the better government of the city. To his work as ajudge he contributed great dignity of char- acter, and a love for justice which commended his decisions to both lawyers and laymen. His career has left an ineffaceable mark upon the history of the city. He lived in accordance with the highest standard of civic duty, and he died at his post. Abram S. Hewitt sent a letter recalling justice Beekman's services as Acting Mayor, Mr. Hewitt having been ill for a period in his term as Mayor. He and justice Beekman, the latter then President of the Board of Aldermen, had much to do with re- organizing the Health Board, furthering rapid tran- sit, and laying out parks in crowded sections of the city. Ex-judge Howland, and L. L. Delafield spoke at some length on the character and works of Jus- tice Beekman, and then Chief Justice Van Brunt closed .the exercises by saying : We all concur in the opinions which have here been expressed. The mfiuence of such a man as Justice Beekman is not :goin lo,st. It has an impetus which will go on on. DHon. PETER CANTINE died at Saugerties, N. Y., ecembel' 21, I goo. He was born in Marbletown, U lstei of 12W in 155 efflef gvhich with IU during Ulster T he Pa longed u He 1 remarkal judgmen Counsel, and cont much, thi was a ma and his n At a lowing be pres Court v minutes ' The 4 Bar and t Cast i were of sc generation cultivatioi CC Gener grasp upon tration of WILL: B3.ltlI1'101 0fsRobe1 and 3, gr ln Church. He le: many yet He Wenn