Lancaster daily intelligencer. [volume] (Lancaster, Pa.) 1864-1928, 1882-03-22
CRITICISING A JUDGE.


GROWING OPR0s1110N 10 DRloGS.
Dsmoczatis Lawyers IN coas@s.ss Dssaass
for Noa-faxsasan Jadieiary-nEigGs
q Tool OF the Bosses.
In accordance with the call issued by a
conference Of Democratic lawyers, held at
Senator Gordon's Office, in Philadelphia, on
Saturday last, meeting of the Democratic
members of the bar was held yesterday
afternoon at the rooms of the Young Mems
Democratic association, on South Merrick
street, in opposition to the reelection of
Judge Briggs. In the absence Of Mr..
Henry Flanders, who presided over the
conference, Mr.. George n. Dallas was
chosen chairman and Senator Gordon acted
as secretary. S. Davis Page offered the
following
Resolced, That it is the sense of this
meeting that the next Democratic judicial
convention for the county of Philadelphia
should nominate an upright, competent
aud iberal-minded Democratic lawyer for
the Office Of judge of the court of common
pleas, No. 4.
Resolved. That committeee of nine be
appointed for the purpose of taking such
steps as may be necessary to promote the
objects of this meeting, which shall report
W q oOU0C4uOut uA0Clluks
General Snowden said that he was in
favor of a non- partisan judiciary. As it
now stood there were thirteen Republican
Judges out of the fifteen. The Democracy
of Philadelphia cast two-fifths of the vote
of the city, and they should have q larger
representation on the bench. He moved
to amend the resolutions by prefixing the
following:
WHEREAS, It is the sentiment of this
meeting that there should be non parti
san judiciary therefore, etc.
Edmund Randall said that the legal
profession had a proper and just gricv-
ance against Judge Briggs, and that they
fully recognized his untitness for the posi-
ton. He had nothing to say against his
moral character, but he was not the proper
person for Judge. He claimed that Judge
Briggs used the bench as rostrum, and
acted as a stump speaker. His court was
not known as :" hall Of justice, but a
circus" The speaker continued at some
length in this vein to the amusement of
the assembled disciples of Blackstone.
s. Davis Page thought that in this mat
ter all personal considerations should be
laid aside. He referred to the sentiment
of the people as expressed at the late elec-
tions as being opposed to the rule of the
gas trust. He believed that the appoint
ment of James McManes as park com
missioner by the board of judges de-
manded the disapproval of the people. He
feared the elevation of any person through
| the influence of McManes. This was a
fitting time for tho people to express their
sentiments. Judge Briggs was the first of
the board which appointed Mr.. McManes
to come before the people for re election.
Mr.. John Cadwalader moved to strike
| out Judiciary" in General Snowden's
amendment and insert Judges" which
, was adopted.
The preamble and resolutions were then
discussed at some length, the question be-
| ing raised that the former was in contra
diction to the latter.
The resolutions as amended We re finally
adopted, and the meeting adjourned to re.
assemble at the call of the chair.
Among the prominent Democrats pre-
sent were George NJ. Dallas, $. Davis
Page, A. A. .Hirst, Joseph P. Kennedy,
Major Moses Veale, Charles H. Krumb
haar. Secretary Gordon said that among
others who were in entire accord with the
movement were Col. R. P. Dechert, Daniel
Dougherty, John R. Read, c. NJ. Hus-
band, E. Coppee Mitchell, George
NOrthrOp, Davis Duheld, Charles Henry
Jones, Thomas Greenbank and Charles F.
Stiltz.
Strong as was this array against Judge
Briggs, there appears to be even more for
midable opposition in his own party. Ar
rangements were made yesterday for a
meeting Of Republican members Of the
bar to consider the best plan to pursue to
prevent the continuance of Judge. Briggs
upon the bench. 81 am of the opinion -
| said one of the most influential Republi-
can members of the bar yesterday, '' that
the Republican lawyers will support any
candidate for the judicial position whom
j the Committee of One Hundred will en-
J dorse." "Yes - said prominent mem
ber of tho Committee Of One Hundred,
"and you may be assured that there is not
man in that body who is in favor OF
Judge Briggs remaining any longer in the
position he has disgraced.'