The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-12-21
HUSTISGS COURT.
Sndge Christians Farewell-Thc Grnvc-
Robbers Chris. Baker and Casar Roane
Plead Guilty-Wntkins, the Legislative
Dealer In Penitcntiary Guardships.

Deaier In Pcnitcntiary Guardships.
The first case which occupied the atten.
ton OF the Hastings Court-Judgc George
IL. Christian presiding-yesterday morn
ing was that Of John Corbin, a colered
man OF good features, and apparently
about fifty-hye or sixty years Of age.
John Is man OF muscular build, and
has the appearance Of the old-time honest
darky who earns his living. and after earn
Ing it is not in favor Of being euchred ont OF
1t by anybody.
The case pending was an aggravated one.
in which a colored man named Jackson
bad come into Corbin's house, bought a
ten-cent snack, and, after growing until
Corbin gave him about fifteen cents worth
OF food, let ont TRADE Of abuse upon
corDin, which so enraged him that he Or
de-ed Jackson out. In retiring jackson
carried away knife and fork. Corbin. In
attempting to recover this property, round
II necessary 10 administer drubbing TO
Jackson, and for this had been sent on TO
the Hastings Court.
Among the witnesses introduced was an
old German lady named Mrs. Schwartz.
She had very thin lips and a keen soprano
voice, and when she got under way could
talk faster than any stenographer in this
world could write Once She started, and
Mr.. Witt, Commonwealth Attorney, tried
to stop her, but he lad to say half a dozen
times, "IIold on, Mrs. Schwartz hold on,
Mrs. Schwartz o." before he succeeded.
Corbln used to belong to Scalcs's brigade.
and told the jury that he went from the
"iust battle OF Manassas clear to de sur
render" and mad never had fuss before.
The jury cleared him.
The cases OF Caesar Roane and Chris.
Baker (coiored), charged with gravc-rob-
berries, were next taken up. They plead
guilty through their counsel. Colonel
Young, and their term of imprisonment
was put nj six months in the city jail-the
same term given the two medical students.
The Judge, Commemorative Attorney. and
jury united in Il petition to the Governor
Tor their pardon.
Another case against Chris. Baker was
continued until the next term.
N0te prOSe9uiS were entered i'm the
cases OF Julius Morgan and james Davis.
These eases have numbered the docket OF
the court for the last four years.
n n0ie prOSegW was also entered in the
ease OF Watkins, the member OF the House
OF Delegates OF Virginia, who is wanted on
the charge OF selling the place Of guard AZ
the penitcntiay. Strange rs it may appear,
this man las escaped arrest up TO the pre-
sent time, although indicted by the grand
jury. Mr.. Wit said he could be indicted
again when caught.
JUDGE CHRISTIANS ADIEU.
After these matters had been disposed OF
Judge Christian said: "Gcntiemcn of The
jury, your labors for this term OF the court
are ended. II IS M privilege and duty be-
fore parting with you 10 speak 10 you not
only personally but rs representatives OF
former iurics which have Sat i'm this court.
You are aware that the Lcgislature Of Nir-
ginia has elected my successor, to take his
seat the lst OF JANUARY OF the next
year. OF course / deny the right OF
that body 10 do what the Supreme
Court has decided they could not
do Continuing his remarks, he said
whilst OF course he could not tell what
- ,,a--t '~s,.-. - nsa1.,la ---:u -i~e:da L.
thought It was fair to presume from what
had been developed that this would be the
last term hc would ever preside in this
court. 1t was proper for hia 10 say that
during his term between $500 and 5000
cases had been disposed OF. lie thought
he expressed the unanimous opinion that
this count had lad The best jurios that ever
sat i'm iuuy-bOX. In that lime ne had set
aside but five ycrtlicts in the i've years.
Seventeen cases had gore TO the Supreme
Court, and of those seventeen eleven OF
the judgments OF this court have been Gi-
6rmcd, six had been reversed. Three out
II .ftf ON Of lg -
fusal OF the Court - set aside the verdict
OF the iugies. One OF these cases was Tor
receiving stolen goods, knowing them to
have been stolen.
The Judge then proceeded to state briefly
the facts in this ease. The Court oi Ap-
peals had set aside that verdict. Another
ore Of the reversal, was on a question upon
which th,re Is a great diversity oi opinion
among the courts in this country and in
England. since the decision OF TIE Court
OF Appeals Tie supreme Court OF England
bad delivered an opinion which sustained
the judgment OF the liu tinss Court.
lie did not make these remarks in any
capt!ous spirit. In conclusions, hc would
simply say he knew they aad he had
done The best they could. Personally he
hal not the slightest objection TO leaving
this court, except 10 parting from IL Of
Gcers, who had done all thai officers could
do in the discharge OF their duties.
As far as endcayoring . retain his sea.
was concerned, Judge Christian said he
should do with reference to that matter
what he considered simply his duty. lie
did not ask anybody 10 keep him here.
The position had been 4 burden and 4 s0r-
row 10 him ever since he had held il.
In conclusion he thanked the jury.
When Judge Christian concluded, Nr. :.
r. Witt, Commonwealth Attornc,, arose
aad expressed the regret lie iclt in seeing
JUDGE Christian retire from the bench.
The earresiness Of hi, remark, can lc bet
ter imagined when il is stated that his feel
ing, oYcrcamc him, causing him - take
his seat before he had said but few words.
lie asked that the court adjourn 10 NEE;
again some day this week, in order to allow
the officers OF the court and the bar an
OF presenting III flung terms
TIE expressions oi regret felt in seeing
Judge Christian leave the bench.
Colonel John L. Young, who was in the
1T the time, arose. and, with
much feeling. said be would be wanting IN
his feelings. being the only member OF tie
bar present, did be fail 70 express his fnl!
interest Oh this occasion and express bis
deep regret at the retirement OF Judge
Christian from this court. IL had been his
lot 20 be before this court in many c.scs-
perhaps in more than any other lawyer at
The bar-and never in all his experience
had he ever seen man strive harder 70 do
his duty. 81 have seen you, sir, in the
midst OF hot debate and argument, but
even then there was always perceptible
greatest essential OF the
Judge. / assure you, snr, it is with pro-
found regret that | see you leave this
bench"
Judge Christian. in few brief words,
thanked the gentlemen for their kind eX-
preston Of esteem and consideration, and
adjourned the court until. next
ErliaV