The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1884-01-10
JUDGE GODwIN's POSITION.
The Explanation He Made i'm Closing
His Testimony Before the
Committee.

Mr. Barton. chairman OF House Commit
tee for Courts OF Justice. yesterday gave a
written order allowing reporters access to
the testimony taken in the case OF Judge
Goodwin. The bulk OF it has already been
transcribed; but much, il not most, that is
important as yet exists only in the stenogra-
piers notes. At this late day it is Of no great
public interest anyhow, and the committee
well say that it is "volumnous and con-
flcting.' The following from the con-
cluding portion OF Judge GodwiD's evil
dence explains his position, and Is in the
line OF his expected resignation:
Question by his counsel (ex-Judge q. T..
Christien) Judge Goodwin, please state
what occurred at the time your resignation
was requested and this memorial was pro-
mulgated.
Answer. The first knew OF the matter
was mere rlImor. On a Saturday. and
don't know whether it was the 10Th or
30th of November or the 1st OF December,
| received notification Of the bar stating
to me that my resignation would be ap-
proved by them. Mr.. Ellis had delivered
the communication to my son. and when he
came up to dinner he brought it to me.
don't think | was down town that morning;
possiblv may have been in the afternoon.
| went down 10 Mr.. Ellis's Office and saw
him. stated to Mr.. Ellis that / had a
business engagement in North Carolina,
and would start on the Monday following,
and would not be back till Thursday. and
to state to the bar that as soon as | re-
turned / would answer their communica-
ton. / said to Mr. Ellis i'm the mean time
that the bar may not misunderstood my
cOurse-I want them TO understand TITO
tell them as long as there is threat over
my head OF charges for removal | could
not resign. Learning the fact that it was
the desire Of the bar that should not pre-
side rs Judge the Office had ceased TO be OF
any value TO ME, and that il such time
should elapse rs should satisfy me that
there was no sword Of DamocleS hanging
over my head l would act in the premises ;
but that at any rate as soon as returned
| would reply, and that would be the sub
stance Of my reply. On Monday morning
started. After getting to Raleigh, and
on nv way to Greensboro, a freight train
broke down and delayed lis Il part OF the
nioht and day, and didn't arrive at home
until late IN the night Of the Friday fol-
lowing. | came down town the next day,
WHICH WAS lllC
week from the time | had the interview
with Mr.. Ellis, and | say ii was univer-
sal fact all over the city that there had
been charges preferred by the bar.
went into Mr.. Ellis's office and saw him
about it again and had some conversation
at that time or afterwards, | don't know
which. and he said: Il would
not resign while these charges were
over my head" | did not reply.
| did not reply to 1t [the communication
when returned, simply from the fact that
they had preferred the charges and it was
VIGOROUSLY known all over the city. On
Sunday was taken quite i'll unexpectedly
with pneumonia. and was on the Hat OF my
back Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday,
and think our papers (newspapersI either
on Tuesday or Wednesday morning gave
publicity to the full charges against me, as
here detailed in the memorial presented to
this committee, giving me no opportunity
ut all to resign except under threat, ana
no honorable man would do so under such
circumstances. 1t was universally known
all over the town, but | never did know mt
what time they were formulated. / said
to Mr.. Ellis then-and | say now-when l
went upon tIit utuSu S"'S "p - "
practice. Mr.. Wake, Judge William IL.
Burroughs, and Richard Baker were a COM
mittee that waited upon me at the instance OF
the bar, begging me to accept that position.
| said to them, Gentlemen, | am giving
up lucrative practice TO take S2,25O."
They appealed to me, and knowing that l
was sympathizing with the Coaiit'on
moyement-it was known AS the ReadJrst.
er movement at that time-and there was
one other member OF the bar who would
likely get the position II did not take II.
and he was obnoxious to the bar, as
heard. Mr.. Swank was the man, and Mr..
Swank, In his testimony before the com.
mittee at Norfolk, stated 1t as Tact that
the bar held IN indignation meeting aud
yiruIently assailed his character, and that
was matter OF rumor all over the town.
These gentlemen this committee Oh three)
appealed TO me to come in and relieve
them Of this difficulty. said, " must
consider this question-give me week to
consider It." In the mean time they got
ND petition urging me to accept, and got
every member OF the bar TO sign It save
and except William ii. Ellis and Charles
H, Sharpe on the Democratic side--signed
by every member Of the Democratic