Fayetteville observer. [volume] (Fayetteville, Tenn.) 1850-1966, 1874-04-30

and as preliminary to one OF
two little incidents in the career
of Judge James I. Magbee.
Judge Magbee is robust and
vigorous specimen of that par
ticular class of Southern politi-
clans to which the San has de-
voted particular attention. He
is a prominent member of any
party that wins, be it Republi-
can or Democratic, and the par
ty that wins without Magbee's
knowledge, has got to get up
very early in the morning.
During the war he was one
of the most violent and danger
Gus secessionist that ever super
intended salt works. He was a
perfect man-eater, as it were,
and it is supposed that but for
his pressing duties elsewhere,
he would have killed and
skinned more Federals than any
ten regiments in the rebel army.
When the war closed, Mag
bee changed his tactics. He
saw how things were drifting,
and he ranged himself prompt
ly under the flag of the Union.
He was, all at once, and with
out any previous notification,
truly loyal-and peculiarly so.
Perhaps it was the influence of
climate, but Magbee's loyalty
was of that rank and sudden
growth peculiar to the tropics.
He wanted to fight for the I'm
ion when there was no fighting
to be done, and he was so seri-
Gus about this that everybody
said it was pity he couldn't be
accommodated. Finally, by
some means, fair or foul, Mag
bee managed to get into the
State Senate, whether as IL Re
publican or Il Democrat it is
impossible forme to say; though
as for that matter, his politics
are too much to be followed.
The basis Of Magbce's fame
as a Senator rests, L believe, Oh
the fact that he figured as re-
sp0ndent to certain articles of |
impeachment found against him
by his fellow Statesmen III that
august body, wherein he stood |
charged with petty peculations /
and gross Usurpation.
Notwithstanding these things
he was subsequently appointed
Circuit Judge by Gov. Hart
| shall not attempt to criticise
his career rs the expounder of
law and justice. The attempt
would be useless and the re-
suit uninteresting. Let the bare
fact that Magbee is a Judge
stand for itselEs and let him en-
JOY in peace those distinguished
hOnors that shoull follow and
wait on those who wear the er-
mine. It's my purpose simply
to relate q most remarkable Oc- /
currence in connection with
Maghee's judicial experience.
On the 31st day Of last Decem-
Der the Judge developed a trait
Of character not altogether pc
culiar. Whether it was owing
to the subtitle Influences of the
festive season, or to an inherent
friendship for John Barlycorn,
or some other cause, it is cer-
tain that Judge Magbee ap-
peared in the streets uproarous-
ly drunk. His hilarity was un-
seemly and unbounded, and
promptly came under the head
of diserderly conduct. Where
upon the worthy Judge was
seized by the minions of the
city government and unceremo-
niously hustled off to the Gala
bOOse, where he spent the night.
While in confinement, Mag
bee endeavored to issue a writ of
habeas corpus requiring the she
riff of Manatee county to seize
the body of James L. Magbee
and bring itbefore Judge James
L. Magbee, in order that he
might inquire into the legality
of said confinement. 1t was g
brilliant idea, but it wouldn't
work. The commonplace peo-
pie down there could not be
made to understand the beauty
and fitness of allowing a disor-
derby Judge to have himself
brought before himself in order
that he might decide in favor of
himself. The scheme was not
of sufficient opaqueness to de-
ceive, and so the Judge served
out his time in the ealaboose.
MAGBEE's REVENGE,
On the 10Th inst, the regular
spring term Of the Circuit Court
4 -t1S:- AToro+ooN corrT,fv cOr-