The record-union., 1895-09-28
IS A HOLY TERROR TO LAGGARDS.
Superior Judge Hinkson Says He Will
Have Promptness.
When the Referee of His Court Calls
'Cime - the Judge Wants
All to be in the Ring.

The new court. Department Three OF
the Superior Court, is becoming terror
to the dilatory and stubborn. Judge
Hinkson started in by notifying all
hands that when an hour was SET for a
case, or for appearance, il did not mean
five minutes, nor ten minutes after the
hour. His first rattle was with the Baillh
of his court. who came up twenty MIN
utes late one day, and felt III consequence
the heavy hand of the law. and found out
Just exactly the money value of moments
of court time.
The next to suffer fines for contempt
were two lawyers who did not comply
with the warnings of the court. After
that witnesses began to rustic when
ordered to appear at a certain hour, and
promptitude became the order OF the day.
1t is related that an officer of the city
police force was having cool shave last
week, when he bethought him of an
order to appear, and asked the barber
what time it was. "tive minutes to lO,
was the reply. Never mind the other
side of the face' shouted the officer, as
he bounded from the chair and bolted for
the courtroom.
Wednesday Judge Hinkson ordered a
recess for five minutes in the midst OF a
trial, and cautioned witnesses and jurors
that it meant exactly five minutes, and
no more. When the court reconVened
one juror was absent. A wait OF i've
extra minutes followed, for nothing
could be done until the juror returned.
When the man appeared the court or
dered him fined 50. He is personal
close friend of the Judge, and his aston
ishment was something ludicrous.
This same week a witness, who was
jointly indicted with another on trial,
was called under order to appear at 10
o'clock, and came in twenty minutes
late.
"Why did you keep the court wait
ing? ?" II couldn't come earlier" as
that your only eXcuseW ''1t is." Ten
days for contempt of court was the order.
And down below went the witness as
soon as his examination was over. How
ever, yesterday the court relented and al
lowed the man his freedom, on his
promise not to offend again. and because
he had opportunity TO get work he would
miss if longer confined.
Yesterday, however. was the cap
eheaf. a witness was on the stand whose
tongue was hung in the middle. Nothing
could stop him. When asked a question
he would reply with sermon. lie
talked so fast and loud that no one could
warned him to answer a question and
then stop. Finally he tried to talk the
court down. His honor shouted for him
TO stop; it was no use. He seemed
wound up for all time.
THE judgment OF the court is that you
are guilty of contempt" ordered the
court. Still the man ran on.
'Wil you stop long enough for me to
sentence you?'' was the shouted request
of the court. But il fell on deaf ears.
The result was that the man was sent
to jail for twenty-four hours 10 give his
tongue rest.
Judge Hinkson was asked about these
cases yesterday and replied: 1.-The time
OF the court belongs to the people. 1t is
not mine. No man has a right to keep
juries and witnesses dancing at his
pleasure. When an hour is set | under
stand it to mean that nour. not ten
minutes after. Men who are laggard
offend. and it is my duty to punish such
otfenses, and l shall do it, no matter who
suffers.