The daily gazette., 1880-06-24
Judge Fields Pluck .
HOW HE REFUSED TO BE INTIMIDATEI
IN THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE.


IN THE CALIFORNIA LEGISLATURE.
From the Boston Herald.
During Mr.. Fields legislative days
in the California Legislature the men,
bers were little eise than walking arse
mails. Two-thirds of them either car
Iied bowie knives or pistols. Some
fiourished both weapons. When a
member entered the House he unstrap-
ped his revolvers and laid them on his
desk. 1t was done with as little con-
Germ as hanging up hat, and it excl
ted neither surprise nor comment.
There was hot debate over the pro-
posed impeachment of Judge Turner.
At the conclusion of Mr.. Fields argu-
ment, B. +. Moore of Tuolumne arose
to reply. He opened hisdrawer, cock
cd his revolvers and laid them on his
desk. Then he launched himself on a
sea of vituperation. MIR. Field was
handled without gloves. The most
offensive epithets were used, and the
speaker openly declared himself re-
spOnsible for his language at amy time
time and place. Mr.. Field answered
Mr.. Moore's arguments, but made no
illusion to his personal remarks. At
ter the adjournment, however, he ask
ed 8. A. Merritt to bear mole to Mr..
Moore demanding an apology or salts
faction. Mr.. Merritt refused through
fear Of being disqualified for office.
Mr.. Richardson, another member, also
declined. Happening into the Senate
Chamber, the jurist saw stonecutter
seated at desk writing. He was Da-
vid q. Broderick, President of the
State Senate. They were bowing ac-
quaintances. "Why, Judge, you don't
look well" said BrOderick. "What is
the matter t'
"Well, l don't feel well," Field re-
sponded. 81 don't seem to have a
friend in the world"
"What worries you," inquired the
stonecutter. et
The jurist gave. the particulars Of
Moore's assault upon his charac cter, and
said that at all hazards he was deter
mined to call him to account.
y ASWeil, I'il'be your FRIEND" Brode.
rick replied. Write your note will
deliver It,"
The jurist Wrote the note at an ad-
joining desk, and Broderick placed it
in Moore's hands. The latter gentle
man crawfished.. He said that he ex-
pected to be a candidate for Congress,
and that he could not accept a chal-
lenge, because that act would disquali-
fly him. II have no objection to a
street fight, however," he added. The
stonecutter replied that street fight
was not exactly the thing among gen.
tlemen, but if Moore would do no bet.
ter he should be accommodated. He
forthwith named time and place, and
Moore promised to be on hand. With
in an hour, however, he changed his
mind. He informed Broderick that
Drury Baldwin would act as his friend
and deliver reply to the note of Mr..
Field.
On the next morning the stonecutter
tested the jurist's skill in the use of
pistol. With a navy revolver Field
pumped knot on tree at distance
of thirty yards three times out of five.
Broderick expressed his satisfaction,
and urged the necessity of bringing
the matter to speedy issue. Bring
IL W al lbbue dC OuCo, MI. It lelu To-
sponded. Broderick quickly called
upon Drury Baldwin and asked for
reply to the note. Baldwin replied
that his principal had made up his
mind to drop the matter. "Then,"
said the stonecutter, "as soon as the
House meets Mr.. Field will rise in his
seat and repeat Moore's language as to
his responsibility. He will state that |
respect for the dignity of the House
prevented him from replying to the at |
tack in the terms that it deserved when |
it was made and after detailing Moore's |
refusal 10 give him satisfaction, he |
will denounce him as q liar and COW
srd."
"Then," said Drury Baldwin,
Judge Field will be shot in his seat"
sin that case," rejoined Broderick,
Others will be shot in their seats.''
At the opening of the House MIR.
field took his seat at his desk as usual.
dr. Broderick was seated near him
With eight or nine personal friends and
.rmed to the teeth and ready for any
When the journal was
cad both Field and Moore sprang to
heir feet and shouted 'Mr. Speakerp'
That officer recognized 'the gentle
nan from Tuolumne," and Mr.. Field
esumed his seat. Moore read a
written apology, full ample, and sat
sfactOry.