1952

Fifty years ago in our first sophomore semester we took maximum advantage of the freshman, ordering them to do all sorts of chores. We made sure they wore their beanies until they won the tug-of-war. It was a time of decision. The fraternity rash was on and most of us joined. Some of us joined varsity teams while others of us, like Angus Russell, decided not to. He gave up both soccer and swimming. John North remembers the freedom of being able to choose his own room and roommate: Dek Davidson. Some of us gritted our teeth and resolved to study. Some of us actually did study. We had a major to select in just a few months. Some of us found the girl. Others continued shopping. Meanwhile, the Chinese communists took over mainland China and Chiang Kai-shek left for Formosa. The Cold War was going badly, and President Truman and we were nervous about it. The fall maple foliage was breathtaking.

A nice piece about Judge Buz Barton appeared in the Bedford (Mass.) Minuteman. He was one of the last (and best) appointments by Gov. Michael Dukakis (he of the tank). Buz's line to the bench passed through the marine corps, law school, the district attorney's office as an assistant, and selectman, and six consecutive terms, moderator of the Town of Bedford. He enjoyed a four-year partnership with F. Lee Bailey and practiced privately and alone until his appointment to the bench in 1978. The newspaper account says, "If there was a hall of fame for judges, Bedford's Barton would be a unanimous first-ballot choice." He spent his entire judicial career in criminal court and has presided over "dozens of highprofile cases." But being a judge was Buz's long-term ambition. In spite of the numerous cases alleging murder, rape, robbery, drug-trafficking, and Lord knows what else, he has persisted to the status of the senior active judge, but not without comment, "It's hard to understand the depths to which some people can lower themselves." He has survived by detaching himself from the human connections. Buz compares his role with that of the catcher on a baseball team. He caught on the Dartmouth team. "Everybody faces the catcher." Presiding over a case with good trial lawyers is an intellectually thrilling experience, he says.

He earns his money at sentencing, considering every aspect of every case. The biggest change in society during his career has been "the breakdown of the family. Our young people are bombarded by media messages, and kids with problems are effected by the brutality, the casual sex, and vulgarity." He laments the absence of compulsory national service, which would be a unique experience for self-discipline, responsibility, and character development. In just a few more months, when Buz reaches 70, he will be required to retire. He will certainly miss it. "I like the action. I like the courtroom."

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