The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-03-22
4" Judge" HOwisOn.

II is in vain that the Manassas Gazette
published in his own county, calls upon
Judge" HowIsON to assert his title 10 the
Office OF judge Of the County Court Of
Prince William, TO which the present Re-
adjuster Legislature has pretended to elect
him. He has received his commission from
the hands OF the Governor, who, we sup
pose, considered that he had no choice in
the matter, but was in duty bound 70 issue
il. But Mr.. IIowIs0N seems 70 have
packed it away for future use. He
evidently labors under the impression that
the new Court OF Appeals which will be.
gin It's term on the lst OF January next
will be ready and willing to overrule the
decision OF the present Court of/Appeals,
and award him the Office. ThiE is poor
compliment 10 the lately-chosen judges,
and one which they would be more or less
than men ii they did not remember when
he shall come before them, armed with
Governor CAaERoN's commission, and de-
mand the Office which the present Court OF
Appeals has decided he cannot get without
violation Of the Constitution OF the State.
We call the attention OF the whole coun-
try to this case. The Legislature two years
ago elected this same Mr.. HowIsoN to the
same iudgeship, and the Supreme Court Of
Appeals, when the case came before that
high tribunal, decided that he had no title
20 the Office. In contempt OF that highest
court OF the Commonwealth, the Legisla-
lure few weeks ago again elected
the same man To the same Office, and
the Governor has again commissioned
him. II is too plain for argument
that he relies upon the new court and not
upon the merits OF his title, nor upon any
change OF opinion on the part OF the cmi-
nent judges who two years ago passed
upon his title. The Manassas Gazette,
which saws that the matter has put the peo-
ple of Prince William into fever OF eX-
element, adds that the sooner the whole
matter Is settled the better will il be for all
parties concerned and the public, who are
30 deeply interested in speedy settlement
Of this controversy. We quote further
from that paper:
"Oi course we are not authorized TO
speak for the newly-commisSioncd Judge,
bat we understand he claims that his term
commenced on the ist day OF January, 1881,
and, such being the case, he il entitled to
hack pay We are aware that Mr.. Howl
ION holds two commissions, and Is there
fore doubly armed. One commission is
under the sign-manual OF Governor Holll-
DAY, and has been vacated by the Supreme
Court OF Appeals; the other, more yalua-
hle 30 the holder it my be, bears. we pre-
sumo, the name Of Governor Cameron and
II countersigned by William c. Elan, Sec.
rotary Of the Commonwealth. What does
this latter emblem OF authority assert Z
Does 1t say that Charles q. IIowiSon, being
duly elected, is entitled at the date of
his qualification Hereunder 10 exercise the
judicial functions OF the County Court Of
this county, or Is II retroactive document
which Is made to aver that inasmuch IS the
Court Of Appeals Of Virginia undertook TO
usurp powers vested expressly by the Con-
siitution In the General Assembly, and the
said Assembly regarding and cherishng its
high prerOgatives proceeded 10 and did set
aside and annul the decision rendered by
the said court in ex-parte Meredith, and IN
conformity with the Constitution and laws
II this Commonwealth the said lIowison
was duly elected, &C., the said election
being regarded as having taken place
nunc pro tuac. therefore the said
Howison is entitled 10 the said
office. But the later commission il OF
much less avail than the one which Mr..
iTowison received in 1881. AS a badge Of
Office ii is a mere pretence, and Mr.. Howl
son, by undertaking TO assume the Office,
would bc considered and dealt with by the
courts IA q pretender. II, for instance, at
April court he (Mr. Howison) by force and
arms should seek 10 establish himself in
Office, IN the eyes Of the law he would be
committing all offence, the punishment for
which Is both swift and severe. For our
Part, we deprecate anything in the shape
of conflict, ana We wish some way were
open 70 Mr.. uowison toassert his supposed
right without resort to force"