Fort Worth gazette. [volume] (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1891-1898, 1891-04-08
HON. FELIX J. M'CORD
VACATES THE CHAIR PENDING
INVESTIGATION.
\ Meeting of the Bar. Jurors and Citizens
ut Canton to Express their Conf
dence in His Purity and Honesty.
Correspondence Of the Gazette.

CAEToS, Tex. April 6.-After district
court was called this morning Judge F. J
| McCord very feeingly referred to the reSo
lutiOus passed by the legislature, reflect
ing upon the action of the district court
of Smith county in the international, and
Great Northern railway receivership, OF
which court he presideS. He assured his
hearers that no impeachment would ever
become necessary, that if proof before the
investigating committee was made that he
had committed dishonest or corrupt act,
he would no longer consider himself worthy
to preside over the rights and liberties of
his people.
Judge McCord holds tender place in the
hearts of our people, and they believe that
there is nothing in the charges. but that
they are trumped up by disappointed seek
erS of place and those anxious for cheap
notoriety Something more than resolu-
tons will have to be passed before they
viii ever believe Judge McCord guilty q
any dishonor.
The Judge stated that in view of the pend
ing investigation, he had requested an i'm
mediate trial. and that he had assurance
that the same would be awarded him
Therefore, it would be impossible for him
to hold court this week. He thereupon va
Gated the bench and q meeting of the bar
was held to elect special judge to preside
during the remainder of the term. The
was elected. He Immediately took the oath
of office and entered upon his duties. One
case was disposed of during the evening
John Mcpherson was convicted of theft of
a horse and given five years.
At noon recess the members of the bar
jurors and spectators We're invited to at
tend a meeting expressive of the sense
of the people of this county in reference
to the integrity and purity of Judge
McCord. When the resolutions were sub
ulitted the courtroom was filled and the
same were unanimously indorsed. The
resolutions were as follows:
To the Hon. john p. Groom, Chairman of the
Bar Meeting:
We, your committee appointed TO draft
resolutions expressive Of the feeling of the
bar and the citizens of Van Zandt county in
respect TO the honesty and integrity of
Felix j. McCord in connection with the in
direct attack that has been made upon him
by the resolutions introduced into the pres
ent legislature by Mr.. Gerald touching the
receivership of the International and Great
Northern railway, beg leave to report as
follows:
Resolved, that for ourselves and in be-
half of the people of Van Zandt county we
indorse Hon. F. j. McCord as an upright.
able and impartial Judge. Speaking from
an intimate acquaintance of twelve wears
we declare him to be an officer of the law
WHO utIS never QlalISu OSIOFe threats nor
fawned before power and one upon whom
the humblest as well as the weaIthest liti-
CANT and most forsaken defendant can
place his hands with urfalterinS confidence
in the wisdom and mistaken incorrupti-
bility Of the court.
Resolved, That we believe with confidence
that our district Judge will be able to pass
through the hottest furnace of fair and
righteous inquiry without the smell of ire
upon his official robe.
Resolved, That We bespeak for our dis
trict Judge the fullest and most scrutinizing
investigation into his official acts, and we be-
lieve it to be no more than fair and lust to
him that the report Of the legislative COM
mittee be made to the present session of the
legislature 70 the end that the right may
be indicated and the wrong, If any, re-
dressed. J. G. RUSSELL.
JoHS S. SPISKs,
". B. WYNN,
r. NJ. LIvEy,
Committee
TIE GAZETTE and Dallas News were re-
quested to publish the resolutions.