The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1883-07-14
EINCASTIE

ANOTHER ACT IN THE DOTETOJRT COURT
COMEDY MORE OF THE TROUBLE CAUSED
BY THAT TERRIBLE CANB-CRIMINATI0N
AND RECRIMINATION-TH JUDGES FEARS.
correspondence OF the Richmond DisDatch.l
July 12, 1883.
On signing the bill OF exceptions taken
by Mr.. Ben. Haden to the ruling OF the
Court i'm fining and arresting him for
coming into court with his walking-cane,
Judge Mays announced his determination
to lay before the Appellate Court all that
occurred in reference to the cane ut the
June term of the court. So on yesterday
he put upon the stand Messrs. Reid and
Martin, at that time clerk and deputy
clerk, and Mr.. L. j. Wilson. one OF the
parties engaged in the "June meeting"
From these witnesses it was proved. as
have before written, that the Judge, at the
June term. fined Mr.. Haden, RENTED the
fne, and gave him q verbal order, which
was not put upon the records, not to come
into court any more with his walking
cane upon the penalty of Il renewal of the
fine; also, that Mr.. IIaden was heard to
say that he claimed it Us a right to carry
his walking-cane wherever he went, and
he proposed TO exercise that right; also,
that hard blow upon the head inflicted by
this cane would likely produce death. But
there were some things the Judge wanted to
get at that he could not find ont from
these witnesses, rs they were unwilling to
state vague and irrelevant rumors on the
street about the feelings expressed by GER
tam persons with reference to his Honor.
So it was that yesterday passed of quietly.
To-day the Judge put upon the stand
Young lawyer who ut the late election was
badly beaten by Mr.. Haden for the Of
| flee OF Commonwealth attorney. We eX-
pected lively times during his testimony,
and we had 'cm. He told of the harsh
things said on the street by Mr. Haden i'm
reference TO his Honor, and gave it as his
opinion that Mr.. iaden had never lost an
opportunity, in or out of court, to show
his contempt for Judge Mays as an indi-
vidual or in his official capacity. We come
now to the interesting part OF this comedy
of errors.
| Judge Mays inquired OF the witness if he
| knew anything Of an organized mob to OBJ
struct the Court on Monday. The witness
replied that he did not know OF any such.
but he believed such to have existed. Then
the Judge said, apparently under great ex-
element: "a man told me there was mob
banded together in front of the courthouse
and clerks Office TO come into the court
room and Obstruct me In the discharge OF
my duties. and that w. w. Haden, Benia-
min Haden, and George II. Swami were
the leaders OF that mob" Tor words to that
etfect.) The last-named gentleman. from
his seat, branded the statement as a mali
cious lie. Mr.. b. Haden arose, and in
burning words denounced the coward who
had informed the Judge, and urged upon
his Honor to give the name OF his inform.
ant. This the Judge emphatically declined
10 20. Then such scene as followed, the
Judge making charges and accusations
against the attorney, and the attorney hurl-
ing thcm back into his teeth. w. w.
iiaden arose and severely denounced
the assassin who had slandered him.
Alter repeated and vain attempts 10
get at the informant, he finally said there
were but three things left for the Judge TO
do: either 10 give the name of the inform-
ant, or retract the charges made against
three members OF the bar, or hold himself
personally responsible for them. Then the
Judge began to make explanation, and AZ
length stated that he left the bench Mon
day for considerations Of personal safety:
that he had received numerous ANONYMOUS
letters threatening him.
Heretofore MIR. Haden has borne the in
dlgnation heaped upon him by the Judge
without the outspoken sympathy OF the
Oar. But in this last blow at his personal
liberty the bar recognized that in crushing
tue liberty OF one there was danger to all.
ana To-day even such conservative. pru-
9ent men as Captain j. III. III. Figgatt and
Judge William b. Simmons rose to their
iee., and IN calm, dispassionate speeches
protested against the action of the Court.
40 nave beard them you might have i'm
agihed yourself living in the reign OF
hihg John or OF james III. Of England in
stead OF IN this "land Of the free"
AfroN