History of Oakland County Michigan a narrative account of its historic progress, its people, its principal interests / compiled from the official records of the county, the newspapers and data of personal interviews, under the editorial supervision of Thaddeus D. Seeley.

HISTORY OF OAKLAND COUNTY

185

trial of that famous case. Thomas J. Drake, Michael E. Crofoot and
Moses Wisner appeared for the defendants. Charles Draper, then prosecuting attorney, appeared for the people, and Sanford M. Green presided as judge. All were learned in the law and skilled in its practice.
"At that time the following attorneys constituted the members of the
Oakland county bar in active practice: Thomas J. Drake, William Draper,
Morgan L. Drake, Moses Wisner, Randolph Manning, Augustus C. Baldwin, Charles Draper, A. B. Cudworth, Loren L. Treat, Michael E. Crofoot, Jacob Van Valkinburg and Junius Ten Eyck. Not one of them is
now living.
"The judges who have presided over this court in this building are
the following: Sanford M. Green, Joseph F. Copeland, James S. Dewey,
Levi B. Taft, Augustus C. Baldwin, Silas B. Gaskill, William W. Stickney, Joseph B. Moore and George W. Smith.
"All have been able judges and an honor to tie bench. Three of
them, Hon. W. W. Stickney, Hon. Joseph B. Moore and Hon. George W.
Smith still survive. And we are grateful to Providence for having spared
their lives and preserved their health. And we appreciate the compliment
of their having honored us with their presence on this occasion and
joined us in bidding farewell to this old building, filled with recollections
and associations dear to them as well as to ourselves.
"The tower, or cupola of this building, call it what you may, was formerly ornamented with the iron figures of four large American eagles
with spreading wings. And more or less of the spread eagle style has
manifested itself in the building ever since.
"During the last forty-six years this room has on many occasions resounded to the melodious cadences and fiery appeals of eloquent advocates, as well as to some speeches that have been dull and commonplaceto speeches that have fired the jurors with indignation or suffused their
eyes with tears, and to some that have lulled their wearied minds to involuntary slumber.
"Once an old lawyer was giving advice to his son who was just entering upon the practice of the father's profession. 'My son,' said the counselor, 'if you have a case where the law is clearly on your side, but justice seems to be clearly against you, urge upon the jury the vast importance
of sustaining the law. If, on the other hand, you are in doubt about the
law, but your client's case is founded on justice, insist on the necessity
of doing justice, though the heavens fall.' 'But,' answered the son, 'how
shall I manage a case where both law and justice are dead against me?'
'In that case,' replied the old man, 'talk round it!'
"I fear there has been some talking round the subject in this court
room. This room has heard many Irish bulls, much keen satire, sparkling
wit, quick retorts and ready repartee. But I am pleased that I can affirm
that exhibitions of uncontrolled temper, heartless abuse, pettyfogging
tactics and sharp practices have been extremely rare.
"Business in this court has vastly increased since 1848, both in the
number and in the importance of the cases adjudicated. I also believe
that there has been a corresponding increase in the gravity and responsibility felt by the attorneys practicing here.
"In 1848 the cases in this court rarely involved more than a few hun