Mohave County miner., 1890-08-23
JUSTICE WHO AND WocLLv.
assstsr Pstsisrew Tails Of sens Yusay
Experiences In Dakota Courts.

sThe administration Of justios IN
Dakota when ! first went out there to
grow up with the country was exceed
fngly primitive" said Senator Petit
grew to Star reporter. Judges for
the territorial courts were sent out
from the East--nearly sll cf them men
whose Incidence i,r bad character had
rendered them desirable persons 70 get
rid or There wis ono instance. ! re-
member. where the Supreme Court was
convened with ofly two Of the three
Justices on the bench, the odd ono not
turning up. This was disastrous. in
asmuch as the absent judges was the
only one OF the three who know any
Law. However, one Of the two Justices
present volunteered 70 look up the alb
sentoe and started out for that purpose.
He had reason TO believe that he would
find the delinquent In some saloon. and
90 he took look into every gin mill
that he came to. The result was that
by the time no found the object OF his
search be himself was In q condition Of
utter indifference as to whether school
kept or not and forgot all about the
court and his errand.
when the court had waited vainly
for an hour the United States Marshal
was sent TO hunt iip the two Justices.
He pursued the same tactics. visiting
the saloons Ia turn, and was Ia q bliss.
full condition Of iIebriation by the time
he came up with the convivial pair.
After another hour Of delay the re-
naming Judge sent out the United
States Attorney 10 make search for the
missing ones; but be. too. pursued .
like course--mind you. all this IL strict
ly rs 1t occurred---and did not appear
again. So as last resort, the leading
lawyer OF the Territory was despatched
to gather In the wanderers. and the re-
suit this time was successful. At about
r. M.--the court had been convened
at l0:30--the two Judges. the Marshal.
and the attorney were seen TO emerge
from whiskey shop and TO pursue a
dignified. though scrpentine course,
arm In arm. up the street toward the
court house. To get through the door
Of the court room they were obliged to
relipquish each others support, aud, In
trying to make their way TO the bar.
fell over tables, smashed chairs, and
created general confusion.
"Gentlcmen.' said the sober Judge
from the bench in loud voice. this
court stands adjourned until 1890 to-
morrow morning.
"Soon after took up my residence
In the Territory continued Senator
Pettigrew. nj hal occasion to defend
a man before the Chief Justice In a case
Of alleged horse stealing. The prose.
cution had absolutely no proof to offer.
and the case against my client was SC
absurd that ] said the defence would
not take the trouble to. offer any eyi.
dcnee. We'll, said the Chief Justice,
YOU'D better offer some d---n quick;
cuss that hasn't any evidence to Offer
in this court against q charge Of boss
stealing goes 10 Jail. you bet.'
Not long after this same Chief Jus.
tice had occasion to try one OF his own
associate Justices for perjury. The in.
dictment Was brought by The associate
Justices own grand jury, and the no
cused called In the Chief Justice to try
the case In his own. che associate Jus.
tees court. Defendants attorney DO.
gan proceedings By dsmurring to tho
Indictment. This puzzled the Chiei
Justice. who turned TO the accused and
asked whether In such case demnr.
or should be sustained or not. The do.
PENDANT said II must be sustained. and
the Justice so ruled. Now, what fol.
lowsr he inquired. and was told thai
such action necessarily dismissed the
case. The case 10 dismissed, then said
the Chief Justice. and the associate
Justice was yindicatsd.
Another time, Ia trying real estate
case ] took exception to several Of the
Judges rulings. and be got angry.
"'You can take all the exceptions you
have mind TO- he yelled; but I'd have
you to know that tLis Court Is gentle.
man.
~ note another exception to that
proposition / replied. and am willing
TO carry 1t to the Supreme Court