, 1884-08-06
IN WORKING ORDER.
The Supreme Court Getting Down
To Business.
Chief Justice Lacey Assumes the
Judicial Ermine.
An Accusation Ordered Drawn
Against Attorney Brown.

also occupying the bench.
The officers of the Court present were
J. W. Bruner, Clerk of Court; j. A.
Riner, United States Attorney, and Gus
tay Schnitgcr, United States Marshal.
The following members of the bar were
in attendance Messrs. Baird, Potter,
Campbell, Stewart, T. NJ. Fisher, Don
zelman, Rowan, Mcintyre and Carroll.
As soon as the Court was called to order
and the Judges had assumed their respect
i've scat on the bench, Chief Justice
Lacey stated that the court had convened
for the purpose Of taking up the Cook
murder case and if counsel on either side
were present he would be glad to hear any
suggestions they had to make.
Mr.. Mcintyre, one of the attorneys for
the plaintiff in error. stated that before he
left Laramie City to come to Cheyenne,
he learned that j.. W. Blake, attorney for
defendant in error, was unable to be pres
ent on account Of sickness, and he sup
posed therefore that the case would have
to go over. If so, he hoped. it would be
until the next regular terms Judge Blair
also mentioned the illness of Mr.. Blake.
Mr.. Riner presented for approval the
account of the United States Marshal,
after which the Court took a recess until
3 o clock in the afternoon.
At . O'Clock the Court r~econyened.
Among those present who occupied seats
inside of the railing besides the attorneys
were Governor Hale, Surveyor General
Medium, Judge Isaac Bergman, Mayor
Ford, of Texas; Mr.. Isaac Van Devanter.
of Marion. Ind, formerly law partner of
Judge Lacey, and Others.
Judge Lacey announced that the ac-
counts of the United States Marshal had
been examined by the Court during recess.
and. being found correct, were approved.
The Cook matter had been considered the
Court said. and inasmuch as Mr.. Blake
desired to have the case heard and deter
mined before the expiration OF his term of
office, the case would be continued until
Tuesday next. If on that date Mr.. Blake
was unable to be present the case would
60 over until the next term.
Judge Blair explained thar he would
ascertain whether Mr.. Blake could be
present at that time, and if not, he would
himself inform the attorneys for Cook of
that fact, 50 that they need not be in at
tendenee unless they so desired.
Maurice Deneen appeared in court, and
on producing his proofas the law requires,
was admitted to citizenship, the oath be-
ing administered to him by Judge Blair.
Inquiry having been made whether any
member O the bar had a motion to make
or any other business to bring before the
Court being followed by no response,
Chief Justice Lacey stated that there was
q duty which devolved upon him to per
form. 1t was 2 matter, he said, affecting
the integrity of the Court. Charges had
been made against a member of the court
by a one ofthe bar, and they were ofa char
acter requiring the attention of the Court.
They Affected not only a member of the
court but also the member of the bar
making them-that member of the bar,
as he was informed, was Melville c.
Brown. In order that Mr.. Brown might
have a chance to be heard in the matter
he, with the concurrence of the other
members of the court, appointed Mr., j.
c. Baird, the Prosecuting Attorney Of
this judicial District, to prepare and pre-
sent, at the next meeting of the court,
accusations against Mr. Brown for his
conduct in this respect.
Mr.. Baird stated that while he would
not ordinarily seek to shirk any duty. vet
If the court could consistently excuse him
from the performance of this duty he
would be very glad Of it.
Judge Lacey replied AT first thought,
Mr.. Baird, this would certainly seem TO
be a very unpleasant dufy to perform,
and yet | hope that all the members of
this bar will feel that it is a duty they
ought to be willing to perform-the duty
which requires them to defend and pro-
tect the integrity of the court. The court
therefore sees no reason why you should
be excused from this service.
1t is needless to add hat this
announcement and proceeding of the
court created no little hutteI
and comment among the members OF the
bar, still it was something which was not
wholly unlocked for.
1t will be remembered that prior to
Judge Blair's treappointment Mr.. Brown
made some serious charges against Judge
Blair. Some of the charges certainly af-
fected or were designed to affect the in
tegrity Of the Judge. They were. to the
effect that he had been unduly influenced
in some rulings and decisions he had made.
These charges, it will also be remembered
were investigated by a special agent ofthf
Department of Justice. Shortly aftel
this agent made his report Judge Blail
was renominated and confirmed as his owl
successor. Future developments in thi,
matter will be looked for with interest.
The Court wa adjourned until August
II, at p. III.