Pawtucket tribune. (Pawtucket, R.I.) 1890-189?, 1893-03-25
BLA|SDELL'S CASE.
Will the Judge Resign
From the Bench?
EXCITING CONTROVERSY.
Outline Of the Incidents Leading to
the Present Differences.

FALL RIVER, Mass. March 25.-Tns
committee of the Fall River Bar associa-
ton, to which was referred the charges
made against Judge Blaisdell of the SEQ
and district court, will meet tonight and
make a report TO the association. 1t is
rumored that the judge will be invited to
resign, but this rumor has been denied by
Fall River lawyers.
Special Justice Lincoln, who presides
over the court during the absence Of Judge
Blaisdell, has caused the commotion which
brings into unenviable prominence the las>
named official.
A year or more ago Justice lincoln
caused something of sensation by max
ing declarations to the effect that there
was but one session of court held, and that
was an open one The statement was
made from the bench after the morning
docket had been finished No action was
taken by the bar association, for the reason
that probably there was no charge made
against any one, and the organization Of
lawyers could not act on anything that
Was Not Formally Presented to It.
Special Justice Lincoln recently resigned
hi commission, and In a letter to Governor
Russell stated plainly and forcibly why
his somewhat precipitate action was taken.
The governor accepted the resignation,
because Mr.. Lincoln's letter left no other
course open.
Then the bar association met and dis
cussed matters In Lawyer Woods Office
The meeting, held behind closed doors,
must have been very interesting, for the
lawyers talked three hours and forgot to
elect officers. After the meeting 1t was dis
covered that the lawyers considered that
they had no right to talk" and kept 80
still that the public has been wondering
ever since what they done at that session.
A committee of five lawyers was ap-
pointed to consider and report upon the
charges, as presented. 1t is rumored that
the criticism passed on his honor
Was Not Limited
by any means to the ex-special justice. Mr..
Lincoln's action in resigning was the sub
ject Of a resolution Of regret, and a vote Of
confidence in him was passed
Governor Russell had some very peril
nent things to say about the Fall River
Bar association, when Mr.. Lincoln's ac-
tion, and the causes which led thereto,
were explained. He couldn't see why, II
things existed as they were represented, the
bar association members had requested the
increase In salary recently voted Judge
Blaisdell.
This Is the second time within 12 months
that Judge Blaisdell has appeared promi-
nently before the public The first was
during the Borden murder case The in
quest, which resulted in the arrest of Miss
Borden, was presided over by Judge Blais-
dell, and when IL came to the matter Of q
preliminary hearing, the legality and pro-
priety Of his honor again presiding was
made the subject of great deal Of dis
cussion and controversy in Fall River and
in the press of the eastern states. But
The Judge Sat on the Case.
Before Judge Blaisdell suitors of both
sexes and all conditions are given privi-
leges not enjoyed in many courts, and in
consequence the sessions are decidedly hu-
morous. Prisoners address the Judge as
though he were an ordinary street ac-
quaintance, and his honor, who has
streak of fun in him, will often urge the
witnesses Oh by shooting questions at them
suddenly.
Judge Blaisdell Is especially severe on
wifebeaters, Iand he has more than once
read lectures to forgiving women anxious
to acknowledge satisfaction" when the
culprits referred to come up for sentence.
Personally the judge is most pleasant
man to meet, but he has refused absolutely
to be interviewed in the matter of ex-Jus-
tice Lincoln's charges. He is 60 years Of
age, married. and has two sons.
The outcome of the present affair Is
awaited with the utmost interest.