Mr. Waring has had wide experience in the trial of cases. His manner in court is marked by dignity, determination and persistence. He never yields a point on his own side and he never fails to seize upon the weak point in the case of his adversary. His arguments are terse, direct and forceful, always commanding ready and respectful attention.
Elmer E. Roosa, of the Newburgh bar, who was associated with Judge Hirschberg at the time he ascended the bench, succeeded in large part to the prestige of an office which had been established for nearly thirty years. The confidence always reposed in him by Judge Hirschberg is shared by a large body of devoted clients who find in him a safe, discreet and honorable counselor.
Edward J. Collins, of Newburgh, who is associated in practice with Judge Seeger, possesses in a high degree that dignity of bearing and of character which well supports professional attainments of a superior order. He has been honored by his fellow citizens by repeated marks of their confidence. He was for some years president of the common council of the city of Newburgh, a position which brought into prominence his fine qualities of mind and character.
Henry R. Lydecker, of Newburgh, has the most amiable disposition of any lawyer at the bar. If he were more self-assertive his abilities would be more widely appreciated. He showed marked ability in his service four successive winters in the attorney general's office at Albany in the work of reviewing for constitutional and other objections, the bills sent by the Legislature to the Governor. This appointment was made each year and would not have been repeatedly conferred unless the discharge of his important duties had proved to be able and satisfactory.
Mr. Lydecker has recently received, at the instance of Presiding Justice Hirschberg, an appointment upon the clerical force of the Appellate Division—another evidence of the high opinion entertained of him by governors, attorneys general and judges alike.
J. Renwick Thompson, Jr., of Newburgh, is still permitted to write "junior" to a noble and conspicuous senior, who now for more than fifty years has ministered over one of the most important churches and congregations in Newburgh. Mr. Thompson's character and standing wholly contradict the adage about "ministers' sons." In his keeping all the traditions of an honorable lineage are safe, while a large and increasing clientage can testify that in his hands are equally safe all the interests committed to him.
Elwood C. Smith, who has an office in Turner as well as in Newburgh, has advanced rapidly in reputation and standing. His agreeable manners and attractive personality always create a favorable impression sure to be confirmed by future acquaintance with his character and abilities. He enjoys the respect of the community and the confidence of a very considerable clientage.
N. Deyo Belknap, of Newburgh. has shown great talent in all his appearances in court and is a rising aspirant for professional honors. In an action brought by him for the construction of a will he exhibited all the qualities of a mature and experienced practitioner. His success at the bar has been immediate and pronounced.
R. H. Barnett, of Newburgh. has made a specialty of negligence actions. Like his great exemplar, John M. Gardner, he never concedes that he is beaten. He always renews the argument to the court, after being non-suited, so undauntedly that the court often reverses itself and lets the case go to the jury, before which Mr. Barnett meets with unvarying success. A jury always admires pluck and pertinacity and these qualities Mr. Barnett possesses in a marked degree.
Graham Witschief, of Newburgh, would attract attention in any assembly for the intellectual cast of his features, which clearly betoken unusual talent. This impression is at once confirmed when he addresses the court. He so excels in the power of lucid statement that by the time he has informed the court of the nature of the controversy he has already produced the effect of an argument. This faculty of seizing upon the crucial, controlling points of the case, of applying the philosophical rather than the historical method, is one of the rarest among lawyers, who usually narrate the facts in the order in which they occurred, leaving the court to pick out the essential, determining elements from a mass of more or less related matter. This gift Mr. Witschief possesses to a degree so unusual that it constitutes a large factor in the success which he has so rapidly attained. He is a rising advocate, taking his place easily among the leaders of the Orange County bar.