Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1891-08-27
AwyoMrye JUSTICE.
How Mrs. Morris Disposed of Her First
Case.

How Mrs. MOTIFS DispOseu OF her first
Case.
San Francisco Call.
Soon after the women of Wyoming
were enfranchised some gentlemen de-
cided that it would be we'll to have a
woman justice of the peace, so they
selected Mrs. Morris, Connecticut
woman, whu had been an earnest and
judicious woman suffragist, and worked
for her appointment in South Pass City,
the county seat of Sweetwater county.
Charles p. Jackson of the California
Pioneer, tells the story
This recalls a very pleasant meeting
with Mrs. Morris, at Albany, N. Y, in
rs or about that time, who was then
making her home with her son there,
who may be the same Mrs. Morris. Mrs.
Morris had recently been an active JUS
tice of the peace in Wyoming, and gave
me the circumstances attending her APP
pointment, and her experience with her
first case in court. 1t seemed there had
grown up a little feeling toward the in
cumbent-not from any maladministra-
ton, but because he had held the office
tor long time, and another man, who
had his friends, wanted the position.
There was growing up quite feeling,
when 1t occurred 10 couple of business
men, friends Of both, to try and allay
the feeling by suggesting that "Mother
Morris" be made magistrate. Before
calling on Mrs. Morris they called on
the incumbent and would-be squire and
stated the object in view, viz: that they
both yield in favor of Mrs. Morris,
which both, on the enthusiasm Of the
moment, agreed to do. The self-ap-
pointed committee then called on Mrs.
Morris, and stated the purpose of their
visit. Mrs. Morris at once said: me a
magistrate? Why never looked in q
law book in my life. What could dc
in dispensing iustice9 The idea is pre-
posterous." "Well, Mrs. Morris, we
know you and your sense of justice
and have all confidence in your honol
and integrity, and the candidates fol
the office have both assured us that il
you will take the office they will cheer
fully resign all claims, and will use
every effort for your appointment
swell, if these are the facts, will con
sent 10 take the office, but you know
gentlemen, that I know nothing abou
the duties, but | will do the best can.
In due time the appointment came anC
| Mrs. Morris was installed as Justice o
the peace Of Wyoming. The docket o
"the incumbent" was handed over ant
in due time came the first case. Thi
was a trivial matter between two liti
giants, both well known to Mrs. Morris
which had been commenced before tn
former justice.
OF course, it became known through
the town that Mrs. Esquire Morris wa
going to have her first trial and ever,
spare citizen must, of course, be presen
to hear it. The "court" met in tn
court room on time and called Of
the plaintiff, through his attorney, t
state his case. The defence was the
called on in the same manner. You
attorneys have stated your case correctly
have they, gentlemen ?" Eyes, ma'am.
"Then this court has no jurisdictio
over the case" The attorney for tn
plaintiff Immediately rose and CON
menced talking, but the squire" said
"Beg your pardon, sir, but this cour
has no jurisdiction over this case"
Turning to the litigants, she said
Here, Charles, want you and Georg
to go home with me; come right along.
They both went, and, on arrival at he
house, she turned to George and said
"See here, George, you owe Charles 5
, much; now you just pay him and sett
up right here or l will never give eitht
of you another piece of pie as long I
You i've" They both burst into
hearty laugh, and did then and the
settle the matter in dispute, and aftt
heartily congratulating the me
: squire" on her justice, went out an
told the story, which soon BEGAN
I known through the town, and Mr.
Morris first case in court became {
G famous as was its justice.
;, It was fact that she had no jurisdi
8 ton over the case, but why she knew
9 to be so she could not say, only that 81
4 knew it to be so. Mrs. Morris admit,
: that she did not make much money o
Y of the office, but she did feel that 81
: lessened litigation and made mo
friends among would-be litigants.