Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1882-12-01

IhSlcu lOf nearly m nO0r, Judge tflcr,
who was seated next to Judge Davis,
turned as if to speak to him. Davis in
clincd his head, expecting to hear some
profound observation on the law of the
case, when the solemn Judge Grier growl-
cd, "Confound that fellow. He makes
such row can't sleep"
Congress, not many years ago, passed
an act requiring term of court to be
held every year in Judge Grier's circuit,
ut the town of Williamsport, Pennsylva-
mia. The judge was there promptly at
the first term, and taking his seat com
manded the clerk to call the first case. II
was n trifling criminal case and was dis
posed of in a few moments by an acquit-
tai of the prisoner.
"Call the next case" then said the
Judge.
"There is no other" modcstly replied
the clerk.
"What !" said the Judge, breaking ont
into storm of indignation, ''call n judge
of the Supreme Court of the United
States here to try one case ? Why, you
might as well call n regiment of United
States soldiers to shoot at pigeon-and
miss him at that"
Judge Grer had great spite against
the technical defense often set up in suits
to recover upon bonds given TO secure
subscriptions to railroads and other pub
lie improvements. In one case where Il
lawyer had set up one of these obiec.
tions, the judge, remembering an old
case in Pennsylvania, which hod sustain
ed like decision, exclaimed, as if to as
sist him "'Yes, Mr.. Richards you will
find case in point i'll your favor in the
231 of the Pennsylvania Reports
81 was about, said the delighted attor.
ncy, ''to refer to that case.'
"But, said the Judge, grullly, sit it
contrary TO every other decision on the
face of the earth"
1t will be remembered by lawyers fam.
iliar with the Supreme Courtreports. that
Judge Clifford for good while omitted
the article "the' from the beginning of
sentences where that article was appro-
PIRATE. The omission made the sentence.
awkward and often obscure judge
Grier, who was quite fatherlv, one day
after Judge Clifford had delivered m
opinion where these omissions had seem
ed quite conspicuous, said "Cliifv
that was Il good opinion of yours 1t j,
good law and it will stand. But what
tIc cuisc Vi your ulllluosllN HSdlllSt iilt
little tie ,"
"NIr. Justice urier," replied Judg,
Clifford, with considerable dignity, 18th,
law of my opinion is proper subject fol
criticism /; the style is my own
When Judge Davis first held term o
the United States circuit court at Indiana
polls, General Tom Brown was Unite,
States district attorney. The general
thinking he should show the judge som,
special attention, bought two tickets fo
the opera, and going into the Judge
room, invited the judge to go to the oper
with him that night.
"Oh,' said the judge, 81 don't fee
very we'll, general and believe Id rath
er not 60" The general turned away,
good deal disappointed But the judg
suddenly exclaimed, as if bright though
had struck him "By the way, general
! understand there's going to be II gooC
circus in town tomorrow night. thinl
if you would invite me to that I'd like t,
60"
Judge Davis used to tell some admira
BILE stories of an old Illinois Judge, one o
which we chance particularly to remcm
Der. One of the judges was rather re
markable for conveying to Jurors i'll hi
charges to them. his own opinions Wit
regard to the merits of the case. In ON
case he had done so with great plaiuness
but, to his amazement, the jury hung on
ior hours without coming to an agree
ment. The judge inquired OF the baihi
what was the matter and learned from llr
that one juror was hanging ont agains
the other eleven. He sent for the jury a
once and stating to the jurors that he ha
plainly intimated how the case ought t
be decided, and he understood one juro
was standing out against the other eleven
he proceeded to rebuke the juror sharply
The obstinate juror was nervous httl
man, and as soon as the judge vas don
he rose ind said: Judge, may | say
word?'
"Yes, SIR" said the indignant Judge
"what have you tosay?'
"Well, what / wanted to say is, al
the only feller that's on your side"
But perhaps we have given too man
anecdotes for the installment and ma
have others for another day.