PREFACE

IT had been planned that this sketch of the his-
tory of the Court of Appeals of Maryland
should end with the installation in office of
the judges first elected to the court under the
present constitution of the state, the constitution
of 1867. Courtesy might restrain discussion of
individual judges any nearer to the present time,
and it was feared that perspective might be lack-
ing for comprehension of recent changes in the
work and character of the court, some of which
must still be going on. With respect to later
judges the plan has been adhered to, with one
exception: none of those who first came to the
court after 1867 are discussed except that Judge
James McSherry, Chief Judge from 1896 to 1907,
is described briefly in retailing a comparison fre-
quently made by members of the bar between
Judge McSherry and some of the judges of 1867.
But with respect to a few changes which have
taken place, or have been consummated, since
1867, it has been thought proper to depart from
the plan; and the changes referred to will be
found discussed. Complete consistency with a plan
has not been felt to be important.

Some of the intentional limitations of the sketch
may be regretted. It may be thought that any
history of the court should mention and describe
more judges and attorneys than are given places
here; but so many might with equal propriety be