The union Democrat. [volume] (Sonora, Calif.) 1854-1946, 1871-11-11
How the Ways Served Mrs. Jutgc Morris
Husband-A life Committing hcr spouse

Husband-A Wife Committing her spouse
CuEYESxE, Oct. My last gave in briet
the history of the passage of the woman's sui
frace act in Wyoming. l will now give some
of the practical working of woman suffrage
and woman otfce-holding. The first action
taken under the provisions of this law was
/ the appointment by the Secretary, as acting
Governor, of Mrs. Esther Morris, of South
Pass City, as Justice of the peace for Sweet
water county. Mrs. Morris qualified, ere
mitted the usual fee of s." to the Secretary,
aud entered upon the duties of her Office.
Nothing unusual occurred for some DAYS; ev,
cry body was satisfied with the new Justice
and the new Justice with everybody. One
day, however, the wine Of bitterness was
mixed in her cup of bliss. and notwithstand-
/ ing her womanly and wifely feeling, she was
compelled TO drink it. Her better-half, who
was now left in charge of the domestic 6e-
partment of the firm had previous to his re-
tirement to the shades of domestic life, oeca-
| sionally taken social glass with his friends.
| Taking advantage of this weakness, some
/ friends waited upon Morris one day, and hav-
ing made Morris drunk led him into breach
of the peace, then FASTENED TO the esquire s
Office and lodged a complaint with her Honor
against her Honor ''liege lord and master, y
that used 10 be and demanded a warrant for
his arrest. Mrs. Justice hesitated a moment
on the banks of this womans's Rubicon, but
like Caesar she was equal to the emergency,
and promptly crossed into her lords domin-
IONS and her former master was dragged be-
fore her for trial.
Morris lead was not sufficiently clear to
comprehend the situation. He began TO as
sert his sovereign rights in contempt of court
until suddenly brought up by the officer in
obedience to the courts order. Seeing that
things had changed somewhat, and that
Othelo's occupation had been at least sus-
pended, he began to expostulate with the
officer, until informed by that functionary
that he had no discretion, but was acting I'M
der orders from the court.
''Who is the court (hic) ?" inquired Nor
ris. On being informed that the occupant of
the bench was the judge, Morris looked at
the Justice with puzzled air, scratched his
head in an effort to collect his scattered
thoughts, and calculated, "Her-her-( hic)
You d fool-she's my wife-(hic )-she
is-that's Esther-my wife Esther-you' re
drunk. or-oh, don't bother me (hic)" and
be started to go.
Lock up the prisoner for contempt of
court said Mrs. Morris to the officer.
" What have you to say about it, eh y
blurted out Morris, staggering menaeeingly
toward the Judge.
"You will find have all to say about it.
Officer, lock him up" replied her Honor.
Although badly mixed, Morris began to
get a glmmer of the truth, AID began a
party.
"Now look here, Mr.. officer, don't be in a
hurry. | don't mean anything wrong. l
want to just talk with my wife minute
Now, Esther, what's the use of fooliR; you
iist git down out o. there, and go home and
behave yourself. I'll tend to this little diff
Guilty myself. Now go right along /; the baby
wants nursing. | had to give it to Mrs.
Winslow to get it to sleep when came down.
He's hungry, for he won't use that old BOTTLE
and don't blame him, either. And what's
more, | amt going to do it any more, now.
You hear that Now start along"
By the time Morris had delivered himself
of this, his tone had changed as his feelings
warmed from that of expostulation to that of
command again, and the officer forced him
into the rudely constructed lock up in rear of
her Honor's court, ard there Morris was left
to reflect upon the situation, and gaze upon
the dividing wall between himself and wife
as the dividing line between mans and wo-
man 5 rights under the new dispensation.
On the following morning Morris was ar
raigned before her Honor, and in the most
sober and subdued manner. and with the
deepest humiliation, pleaded guilty, asked
the pardon of the court for contempt, begged
its clemency. and then awaited his sentence
with humility and resignation.
After giving the prisoner Caudle lecture
as amended by the laws of Wyoming. her
Honor imposed the usual fine and required
the prisoner to give bonds to keep the peace,
upon which the court CALAMITY offered to let
him Co. and Morris vanished.