Mr. W. A. Chapman Sworn In In the U. S. Court last Friday, before his Honour Judge C. 5. Lobingier, Mr. William A. Chapman took the oath of allegiance upon instructions received by the Senate by cable announcing his appoint-mani as Clerk of the U. 8. Court for China, His Honour, in the course of a short. speech very happily welcomed the new Clerk into his "official family.'"" While it was a pleasure for him to direct Mr. Chapman io take the oath, his gratification in doing so was far more than_personal. Two circumstances rendered the aci an event of real importance in the history of the Court. For the first time a resident in China had been appointed to the Court's permanent. staff. Heretofore all such appointments had been from the United States or from elsewhere outside China, and it should be regarded, his Honour thought, as a recognition of the growin importance of their American colony in China that one of its members had been so honoured. For the first time also one had been appointed clerk of that Court who had had previous experience in the work. Conditions had greatly changed and the post could not now be filled by an amateur, as would have been possible in the old days. The official need not, however, be a genius, but he should be a master of detail, methodical, industrious, a tactful and a willing servant. of the public. All these qualities had been demonstrated by Mr. Chapman while acting in that capacity.
Appreciation was expressed by his Honour of the services rendered by Mr. N. E. Lurton, who had had charge of the clerk's office for the past six months. Upon taking charge of those duties, Mr. Lurton did so without any additional compensation, and while his regular work during his leave had accumulated to a great extent, he took over the additional burden cheerfully and bore it well.
Mr. Chapman, responding, said he appreciated all' that his Honour had said about him, and would endeavour by his work the more to merit those kind expressions. He regretted exceedingly to leave the Chamber of Commerce, but bo-lieved in his new office he would be able to the better serve the American community and Covernment.
Mr. S. Fessenden, on behalf of the Bar Association. said it a matter of great satisfaction to the Bar both collectively and_individually that Mr. Chapman had been placed in the once of Clerk to that Court. While acting Clerk he had demonstrated an eminent fitness for the task in away that won the esteem of every i exper of the Bar. 3 As a token of the regard in which the Association held the new clerk, Mr. Fessenden presented him with a fountain pen.
Mr. V. G. Lyman, president of the American Chamber of Com-
Text read from the printed page and cleaned; old type leaves the occasional error.