Hopkinsville Kentuckian., 1890-08-19
JucTIcE IN DAKOTA.
Senator Petticrcw Tells of Some Frnn.
E.pprlcnces In Courts,

| senator Pettigrcw Tells of Some Frnn,
Experiences In Courts,
| "Thc administration Of justice in Da
isota whom first went ont there to grow
up with tho country was exceedingly
primitive said Senator Pettig"ew.
Judges for territorial courts were sent
out from the East-nearly all these men
whose Incidence or bad character had
rendered thcm desirable persons to get
rid of, There was one instance, remem-
Der, where the supreme court was con-
yened with only two OF the three justices
on the bench, the odd one not turning
up. This was disastrous, inasmuch as
the absent Judge was the only one OF the
three who knew any law. However, ono
OF the twojusticos present volunteered to
look up the absentee, and started out
for that purpose. lIe had reason to he-
lievo that he would find tho delinquent
In some saloon, and SO he took look
INTO ovcry gin mill that he came to.
The result was that, by the time ho
found the object OF his search. ho him
self was In condition OF utter inliFer-
cnce rs to whether school kept or not,
and forgot all about the court and his er-
rand.
'When the court had waited vainly
for an hour the United States Marshal
was sent to hunt up the two justices.
lilo pursued tho same tactics, visiting
tho saloons in turn, and was in bliss
ful condition of inebriation by the time
he came up with the convivial pair.
After another hour of delay the remain
ing Judge sent out the United States At
tornoy 10 make search for the missing
ones; but he, too pursued like course
mind you, all this is strictly as 1t oc-
curred-and did not appear again. So,
az q last resort. the leading lawyer OF
the Territory was dispatched to gather
in the wanderers and the result this
time was successful. At about three p.
m.-the court had boon convened at
1O:30-the two judges, the marshal and
the attorney were seen to emerge from
whisky shop and to pursue digniiicd
though serpcntinc course, arm-in-arm,
up the street toward the courthouse
To get through the door OF the court
room they were Obliged to rolinqhish
eaoh others support, and in trying to
mako their way TO tho bar they fell over
the tables, smashed the chairs and cro-
ated general confusion.
'Gentlcmen.' said tho sober Judge
from the bonch in loud voisc, This
court stands adjourned until 1880 to-
morrow morning.
t'Soon after took up my residence in
tho Territory" continued Senator Petit
grew, II bad occasion to defend man
before the Chicf-Justice In the case OF
alleged horsc-stealing. Tho prosecution
had absolutely no proof TO offer, and tho
case against my clicnt was so absurd
that said tho defense would not take
tic trouble to olrcr any evidence.
Well,' said tho Ohiof-Justice. you'd
better offer some mighty quick; cuss
that hasn't any evidence TO offer in this
court againsta charge OF hoss-stcaling
goes TO Jail, you bet
mot long aftor this tho same Chief
Justice had occasion TO try one of his
own Associate Justices for perjury. The
Indictment was brought by the Associ
ate Justices grand jury, and the ac- |
cuscd called in the Chief Justice TO try
the case In his own (the Associate JUS
tico's) court Defendants attorney be-
gan proceedings by demurring TO the |
Indictment. This puzzled the Chief
Justice, who turned to tho accused and
asked whetherfn such a case a demur-
rcr should be sustained or not. The do
fcndant promptly replied that 1t must
bp sustained, whorcupon the Chief jus
ticc so ruled. Now, what follows? he
inquired Of the accused, and was told
that such action necessarily dismissed
tho case. The case Is dismissed then
said tho Chiof Justice, and tho Associ-
ate Justice was vindicdted.
'Another time, in trying rcal es-
tatc case, took exception to several
OF the Judges rulings and he got angry.
"'You can take all The exceptions you
hayo a mind to- he yclled but Id
have yon know that this court is a gon'
tlemanr
"I note another exception 10 that
replied and | am will
ing to carry II to tho Supreme Court"
Star.