The Jersey City news. (Jersey City [N.J.]) 1889-1906, 1895-11-20
A RACKET COURT.
Queer Proceedings These
Days When McGrath
Is on the Bench.
LAWYERS HoTLY CALLED DOWN
Strange Scenes Last Evening and
This Morning-Many APP
peals in Order.

Judge John A. McGrath is making
things lively for lawyers who have cases
in his court. This morning. he sat in the
Second District Court and Counsellor
John DENIM had an experience with
him that he said he will not forget very
soon.
The Counsellor declares that at times
the Judge has most erratic disposition.
Some time ago Ellen Mercer coiored.
brought suit against Solomon Edwards
for 5000 damages for slander. The case
was tried before Judge McGrath. Coun-
sellor DENIM appearing for the defen-
dant and Counsellor Furey for the plain
tiff. The jury brought in a verdict OF
guilty and awarded cents damages.
The Judgment was paid at once.
In charging the jury the Court made
short speech 1t only took up one hour
and half. On November 10 Counsellor
Furey made application to the Court
to have the verdict set aside. Argument
on the application was to nave Deen
made this, morning Counse4tof 10 odna Oegiier de1
such an application, inasmuch as the
Judgment had been paid. ,,.
Judge McGrath replied. Continuing the
Court charged that. verdict was an sotl Gul-
rage and an injustice. He further a, inai,
mated that the Jury in the case nag oeSR Pen
drawn for the purpose of giving cent
luus sinea1iJNTE COUNTER ACCUSATIONS.
Counsellor DENIM hotly denied the ae-
cusatton, and declared he had heard me
jury was arranged to bring IN a veraact ssl
Sicf would have been found had not I
challenged three of the jurymen, snoutea
NJ. Derrin. 80, ,,i1ad
Mr. D snnin Down in hurry. WIthoh.
hearing a word of argument or taxing
any affldav.Is, he then granted ne"
All Counsellor Furey had to :, say was, was,
ST thank you, Judge" He left the court
rGHi Mr. Denni5 tsrlr' is going to appeal to the
4'ts Gsounseiior Manning was the next gem
tleman to come in for RAP rap; ne ne W. a.,rt nSs
and accordingly retired Other lawyers
decided to allow cases te 80 py deIauas
until the Court was found Ns-n mora
Se''ieo Yesterdays CIRCUS.
Yesterday Judge McGrath occupied -
Calendar aIe r was a heavy one Counsellor
James F. Fielder was the first lawyer to
try case The he a,natiap Court frai9ue9ssy W.T. IT.
nesses and towards the close said several
times. in an abrupt manner; cut II
short! Gut 1T short" c,o,,..
was not treating him with courtesy.
.'Tn have none CT that in my court
ROOM" snapped the stdge. Il direct ehe
Mr. Fielder happened to be in his seat
at the time and reminded N'e Court OF
that fact Some one laughe
''Sit down, 1 say! Sit down." s77f'+ed
the Court pounding the bench wIcl. =
gavel This Court has been insulted al
/ order counsel to sit down.
The lawyers in the room smiled. but
said nothing. The Judge regained his
composure and allowed the case to pro-
ceed. Mr.. Fielder asked for a noh-fuit
and was about to give his reasons when
he was interrupted by the Court re-
marking, Your motion is overrQled.
but, Your Honor, you have not heard
me- insisted Mr.. Fielder.
81 have heard enough" was the curt
reply; "the motion is overruled-
A decision was given against Mr..
Fielder's client
DOUGHERTY'S ENCOUNTER.
Later Counsellor Dougherty had q
tested against the Courts interfeTence
tested against the Courts interefergnce
and said: 81 want the Court t9 distinctly
understand that I have rights which
must be respected. I am here in my
professional capacity, authorized by the
great seal of New Jersey. the same seal
that authorizes you to occupy the bench.
The Court is sarcastic
"If the English language is sarcastfc,s
replied the Court warmly, I plead
Lawyers whose cases had not been
heard were delighted when adjournment
was taken