The record-union., 1891-05-13
WARRING COUNTY OFFICERS.
Lively Scrimmage Between Stockton's
Judges and Prosecutor.
Judge Van Fleet Hearing a Novel Case
The Judges Now Hold
the Fort.

Judge Van Fleet returned from Stock
ton yesterday, where he is engaged in
hearing novel case.
1t appears that when the new court
house at Stockton was nearing compile
ton, the Board of Supervisors took con-
siderable pains to designate what and for
whom the various rooms were for. Two
sunny and comfortable rooms were set
apart for the two Superior Judges, and
had some cut-glass transOms with the
words Judges Chambers ground in,
they being placed over the doors opening
into these rooms.
Judges Budd and Smith were elated, of
course, and were exceedingly compli-
mentary to the Supervisors.
ANOTHER CANDIDATE.
But in an evil hour the demon of dis
content obtained possession of District
Attorney Benefits ear. He whispered
to that astute official that he and not those
plebian Judges should occupy those ele-
giant rooms. The District Attorney
thought so, too.
When he ascertained that the rooms
were being fitted up for the Judges, he
was envious, very enViouS.
But he was not dismayed in the least,
and he set about Immediately to have
himself transferred into those when they
were ready for occupancy. He inter-
viewed the Supervisors individually and
collectively, and succeeded in getting
them to promise that he and not the
Judges should have those rooms.
Then the demon of discomfort paid his
attention to the Judges.
He told them how the District Attorney
had undermined them, and blasted all
their hopes of occupying the quarters
designated for them. 1t was then the
Judges turn to Shorthand jump stiff
legged. They vowed that Bennett should
not have the rooms-not if they knew
themselves.
A CONSPIRACY.
They held consultation in the dead of
night, and evolved a scheme. They put
it into operation few days later by sud-
denly packing up their law books and
moving into the rooms.
Wow! WOW
The fantastic and grotesque terpsi-
chorean gyrations that District Attorney
Bennett INDUCED in when he became
aware Of what had happened only
caused the Judges to laugh the louder.
1t was a great joke. But the county's
prosecutor is game, and he declared that
1t would be he who would laugh last.
He appealed again to the Supervisors,
and they were indignant to think that
their orders should be disobeyed by the
judiciary, and they promptly ordered
their honors to evacuate. But they
didn't evacuate worth cent, and threat
ened to have the Supervisors up for con-
tempt if they got 'rambunctious."
1t was an interesting mess to be sure.
TO LAW AGAINST THE COURT.
The next move made by the District At
torney backed up by the Supervisors was
TO bring suit against the Judges to eject
them from the rooms. OF course neither
one of the judges would take it upon him
self to hear the case, and that was how
Judge Van Fleet happened to go to Stock
ton.
The points that were brought before the
Sacramento Judge were a motion for a
change of venue, a motion to strike out
certain portions of the complaint and a
demurrer. The motion to strike out and
the demurrer were submitted on briefs,
and no decision has yet been rendered.
The motion for change Of venue, how
ever, Judge Van Fleet denied, holding
that tcOmpetentJu Judges from other counties
could be induced to hear the case where il
belonged.
When the case comes up on its rea
merits, in couple Of weeks, it is believed
there will be a lively time in Stockton.