The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1878-12-14
CHI 99ailg Argns,
ROCK ISLAND, ........rIE1pors
Concluded from second mare

sors- It IS LOW year since congress APP
propriated two hundred thousand dollars.
and tjol. Casey has in that time dug hole
at its base and put over the same a guard
to keep the old Washington monument as
ISOLATION from stealing it. A modification
OF the plan of the monument has been
suggested by ". w. Storey, the sculptor.
10 private letter to Mr., Cotcoran, but 20
action has been taken. or will be until all
the members of the monument association
have seen the plan. This sacred pile
stands IN its Unfinished state monument
OF disgrace, not only to the nations graft
tude, but also to the country's enterprise
This city has one of the most amusing
members of the judiciary that ever pre-
sided over an equity court. Before ex-
planning in what way, will tell of his origi-
nalIty. He is creature of Senator George
X. Spencer, handsome George" that is
what the boys call him, from Alabama, to
which state he eEigrated about the time
the thieves held sway down there. Spencer
was indebted to him in some way and had
him palmed off on the people of this district,
who. as you know, have no voice in the
election of their officials. Well, Judge
Humphreys frequently maintains the dig
nifty of getting blind drunk. Perhaps this
would not be so great a crime against any
one but himself, but when he adiourns
court for few minutes and goes off on a
glorious old bender the people want to
know when he is coming back. He does
bother the lawyers a little, | have been
Informed OF case which occurred here a
short time ago. A important case was
pending wherein party was sueiug the
district for an alleged balance on ., con
tract OF $4,000. The case was called
tor trial and when the lawyers on both
sides stated that they were not ready to
proceed and mutually asked for postpon-
ment the judge refused, and when the at
torneys fatty refused to proceed he fined
all four OF them 500 each and then pro
eeeded to charge the jury who brought in
verdict for the plaintiff. Recently the
governor of Texas made requisition for a
murderer 10 the custody of the district.
The Texas officer appeared before Hum
phreys with the necessary document.
which was dated four days previous at
Austin. The judge refused to believe
that 1t could reach Washington In that
length of time and he decided to releas e
the prisoner. In vain did the Texas Off
Ger protest; he brought p( st,ofice Off
cials to prove THAT the requisite n
could come in that time, but it was no use,
the murderer was discharged from custo-
dy. This man daily proves his unftness
for the position he occupies, but the pee
pie have no power to remove him. These
instances are only two out of those daily
occurring. noticed newspaper accoul
of a law case, the other day, where t
made mention of Judge Humphrey as
being in condition which indicated thai
he had not been faithful to the pledge he
once publicly ratified by smashing his
black bottle, he gave evidences of intoxica-
ton which amused many and distressed
others. 1t was with difficulty his honor
preserved his equilibrium in walking to
the consultation room and he required the
assistance of messenger to remove his
overcoaf, the fumes of liquor were heavy
upon his breath and his utterance was
seriously affected, what he had 30 say was
jerked out in maudlin disj0Inted sentences
that were almost uninteiiigible and the
business of the court was despatched in
undigni6ed haste.
Among the articles offered yesterday in
the sale of condemned property belonging
| to the Treasury Department, was an an
Gent iron clock presented to Andrew
johnson. when he was president 1t was
| placed in The court yard at the rear Of the
White House, where it remained until
1862. The winding Of this clock which
occurred weekly, involved considerable
trouble, as the ball attached to the chain
weighed 800 pounds. the clock when sold,
was in an iron case, about four feet high
and two and half wide and was knocked
down for 500 to Mr. Benson of this city.
CHATERIs.