Evening star., 1895-06-18
M R. PUGH OBJECT rs
Resents Continuation of the Obstruction
Cases.
Judge KimbnIrs Action In the Matter
Discussed in COurt-TO BE
Argued TomoFrow.

The ordinary routine of Judge kimbalr S
court was enlivened this t,morning by Mr..
Pugh, representing thaoUistrict in a num-
Der of the so-called obstruction cases. The
upper court has decided POINTS of law in
volve1 in these cases, ard Mr.. Pugh con-
cluded that in the last batch of cases
taken up on writs of ceftiorari he would
file informations every day. In carrying
out this plan number, Of warrants were
issued. and this morning before the prose-
cutting attorney went iglto court counsel
for the defendants saw Judge Kimball, so
it is said, and the court agreed to postpone
the cases Indefinitely to await the decision
in the other cases. + .iSy3t4 if-n.s ----
Wnen Mr.. Pugh went into court and
learned this he was very much surprised,
and he SO Informed the court.
: 'I understand" said Mr.. Pugh. that
your honor has postponed these cases with
out having consulted me, and must GER
tainly enter my objection to any such pro-
ceedings." -, &c. .,. -.
Judge Kimhan admitted that counsel for
the defendants haG spoken of the cases
and he had continued them.
But" said Mr.. Pugh, 1.-The cases have
rot yet been filed in court, and don't un-
derstand how the court can act before they
are fled"
Mr. Pugh then charged that the court
had not treated him fairly in the matter.
and he also doubted the courts right to so
treat the cases. go.
Mr.. Pugh's Remarks.
and" he said, 'f your honor won't
hear these cases I will be compelled to
appeal to the other branch of the court.
Some people are not able to employ dis
tnSuished counsel, and they have to va
cate the public spaces, while those who are
able to employ the distinguished lawyers
get indefinite postponements because they
can afford to take the cases up to the
other courts.
"These cases are being taken up only for
the purpose of getting delay of nine
months or year, and it is certainly unjust
that some of che merchants should be
compelled to vacate while others who are
next door to them are permitted these de-
lays. 1t is certainly unfair to those who
are unable to employ counsel, and l am
going to direct that warrants be issued
each day and that the police require the
persons charged to deposit s25 collateral
each day"
Judge Kimball said he would have the
attorneys for these people, Lawyers Miller
and Maddox, appear in court tomorrow,
and he will then hear the matter and de-
eide what course he will pursue.
Before Judge Miller.
The defendants in these cases were lum-
ber dealers IN different parts of the city
and several of the Louisiana avenue deal
ers.
Judge Kimball was called away from
court to attend board Of trade commit
tee meeting and several cases from Louis
lana avenue were presented for trial In
Judge Miller's court.
Frank Robertson was first called, and he
plead guilty. He stated that he had been
an occupant of the sidewalk for more than
twenty years.
Judge Miller said that number OF cases
had been certioraried to the upper court,
ar d asked if any of these cases before the
court were among them
mo, SIR answered Mr.. iPugh.
Are these cases on hearing In the up
per court?" Judge Miller wanted to know.
mo. your honor" Mr.: Pugh answered;
land they won't be for nine months, and
these people know it, ID q
How long have these people been oc-
cupying this sidewalk?'
Eighteen or twenty years"
"By what authority?'i'' o
None whatever" Mr. 1Pugh said; 1.-The
questions involved have tbeen passed upon
by Judge Cox" stB
Judge Miller said he had great amount
of sympathy for these people 1or tnese
stands on Louisiana avenue are great
convenience to the public.- The judge want
ed to know what about athe person from
whom these people rent, ar. Emericn, ana
Mr.. Pugh said that thefes was charge
against him. 4
1t transpired that mostaot the cases had
been certioraried and therefore there could
be no trial of them in the Police Court.
Some of them, Mr. Pugh said, had stop
ped paying Mr.. Enrich rent for the side
walk and they had been dropped from the
certiorari proceedings.
I'm these cases." said Mr.. Pugh, "Tll ask
a continuance. If Mr. Emerich won't pro-
tect them we will
Several other dealers were called, and
they plead guilty. They thought they
should not be required to move while those
renting from Mr.. Emerich are still doing
business on the sidewalk.
Mr.. Pugh said he was of the same opin-
ion. He thought 1t unfair to make one
move unless all are required to leave.
Judge Miller said he was of the same
opinion, and he would not dispose of the
cases while charges against others are
pending.
Mr.. Pugh announced that he will file
charges against all of these people every
day.
An exception was made in the case Of a
blacksmith named Henry Keller, who has
been occupying the parking in front of his
shop, on North Capitol street He ed-
mitted his guilt and was ordered to vacate,
which he promised to do.