The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-04-13
AFTER MANY YEARS
ruDGE BLAIsDELL OF FALL RIVER
HESIGNS HIS POSITION.
signs OF Breaking Down = Charges
Against Him Likely 70 be DroPpsd
where They Are

FALL RIVER, Mass. April 13 Judge Blais-
dell has resigned. That fact was reported at
yexterday afternoons meeting of the Fall
River Bar association. The meeting was
called to hear the report Of the executive
council on the matter of the Lincoln
charges, and it was understood that final
action would be taken. The meeting
lasted but very short time.
The lawyers refused to say anything
about the proceedings. and would only say
that the Judge had resigned, and that the
resignation would take effect on April II.
It is understood that the executive coun-
Gil stated to the association the fact of the
judges action, and further intimated that
since the letter Of resignation was in the
hands of the governor hours before the
meeting had convened, it had no duty in
the premises but co report ehe fatt men,
toned The association will probably let
the matter
End Just Where It Is.
1t Is said that Judge Blaisdell in his let
Ter to the governor gives as a reason for
his desire to be relieved Of his legal duties,
his failing health.
Judge Blaisdell's poor physical condition
was probably never SO apparent as on the
occasion of the opening of the superior
court some 10 days ago, when he had to be
helped up the stairs TO the court room. and
had to be taken few minutes later to his
home.
He has sat on the bench once since that
time. Most of the court sessions were pre-
sided over by Special Justice McDonough,
who was nominated two weeks ago to fill
the vacancy caused by Special Justice A.
N. Iincoln's resignation.
Judge Blaisdell, who is rs years old, suf-
fered considerably during
The Borden Murder Case
from the criticism passed upon him for
sitting at the inquest and also at the pre-
liminary hearing.
Since the fling of the charges preferred
by ex-Justice Lincoln with the governor
and bar association, the Judge has shown
signs of breaking down in health, until
now he is incapacitated for the duty which
he has performed for 20 years in the Second
Bristol district court.
Judge Josiah c. Blaisdel's native place
Is Campton, N. H., where he was born in
1820. He was educated In the district
schools and In the literary and scientific
institute Of Hanover, N. H. His family
removed from Methuen TO this city in
1S43. and the Judge studied Blackstone
with James Ford.
He was admitted to the bar early in the
f1ftios. and in 1858 was member of the
Massachusetts, house Of representatives.
In 1854 Governor Andrew appointed him
20 the state board of charities TO
Fill nm Unexpired Term,
and In 1886 he was reappointed for seven
years by Governor Bullock. He served
but two years of the second term.
In 1896 he sat In the senate, and the next
year went back to the house.
He was mayor of Fall River In 1858 and
1859, and upon the reorganization Of the
Second district court was appointed Judge
This was In 1873.
He succeeded Judge Louis M. Lapham,
who has presided over the old police court
from 1859 until Governor Boutwell, and
the present Legislature created the present
method of conducting minor civil and
criminal affairs.