Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1882-01-18
DOING THE DOCKET.
President Hadden's First Day as
Police Judge.
How He Will Discharge the
Duties Of His Position.

Promptly at 9 o'clock this morning
President Hadden took his seat behind
the railing Of the Police Court, and
after half a dozen words with Esquire
Quigley, who sat with him, raped
sharply on the table with his PEN
knife. Hardly had the last rap
sounded when the classic attorney
sprang to his feet and, walking across
the floor, exclaimed, in that clear-cut
voice of his, IF Your Honor please,
there are two men confined in your
prison for larceny"
Keep cool, sir" interrupted the
new President. II have few words
to say first" and as the attorney per-
formed the highland fling back to his
chair, President Hadden began as
follows: For the first time l find
myself called upon to preside ever this
Court, as President Of the Tax
ing District, to which | have
been elected. AS long as my
duty requires it, l shall endeavor to
represent promptly each morning and
shall make it my aim to temper justice
with mercy in the trial of such cases
as come before me. There are posi-
bly, few ordinances whose passages l
would not have advocated, but as long
as they stand unrepealed I shall en-
deayer to enforce them to the letter.
l wish to say, however, that as the
property of our city depends at this
time mainly upon her health, | shall
demand the most rigid compliance with
all the laws regarding sanitation, and
for violation ofthese laws will enforce
the severest penalties. l am desirous
that every man connected with the
city government should fully under
stand the ordinances, and negligence
in any official will not be tolerated.
Every man must be at his post SO that
he can be easily reached when his
services are required. l shall require
no more of any public servant than of
myself, aud while l shall not be un-
justly severe, l shall endeavor to pre-
serve dicipline as near as that of the
regular army as possible--call the
first case"
B. Baker was brought in and
three or four lawyers rose on the
pedal extremities.
"One at a time, gentlemen said
His Honor" and the attorneys took
seats, while their faces expressed the
widest surprise.
B. Baker, small boy, was charged
with stealing a gold watch from his
aunt. The case was continued for
witnesses.
Call in Andrew Jackson" ex-
claimed the Court, and a tall, pop
eyed darky was let out. The officer
declared that he found Andrew where
no statesman ought to be. He was in
a dirty back alley peering over back
fence, and was quite taken aback when
the officer arrested him.
Andrew Jackson" said the Pres
ident, "I'll just swack it to you five
dollars worth. Lead him back, Mr..
Tipstaff."
The next was triple case, in which
Ed johnson was accused of robbing
Henry Sulser, a friend of A. Milazzo,
who interfered in his behalf Milazzo
was innocent of anything, he said,
except trying to help his friend. II
would not have been mixed up in the
affair, Your Honor" he said, "only 1 |
dropped in the saloon to get a glass of
soda
Zone o'clock is rather early for
soda, but let that pass" remarked the
Judge, and finally discharged all par
ties with a little good advice.
A po-r half-witted fellow named
John West was tried for vagrancy and
plead that he had twenty cents in his
pocket which would take him across
the river. Transport him" was the
verdict, and John was escorted toward
the river bank.
After the trial OF few more trihing
cases, StatiOnhouse Keeper Rogers
came inwitb. his cash collected yester-
day, and when President Hadden
asked ifmoney was turned over every
day, the irrepressible Rogers remark.
ed: "Yes, he would pay him his sal
airy every morning" Court adjourned
with flourish and the agony was
over.
DR.. Morgan Dend.