Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1895-06-29
JUSTICE CAUGHT MAPPING.
How Justice IRVING Was induced to Sign
His Own Dcs:h Warrant.

FIovv Justice irving Was induceo TO SiS"
His Own Dcs;h Warrant.
a prominent lawyer of New Jersey
who has an Office on lower Broadway,
tells story about New York city judges
of 10 years ago that always fefohcs
smile. Judge John Il. Irving, the up
right and conscientious brother of WASH
incton Irving, is the hero Of the alleged
incident. 1t occurred i'll tho days when
judces received fee of 81 for every pa
Der they signed One day two promi-
pent New York lawyers, so the story
runs, were in Judge Irving courtwhen
he was busily engaged in signing papers
There was long line of lawyers hhnS
slowly in front of his desk, and as each
passed up his papers he at the same
time laid down "a corresponding number
of dollars. Tho judge would glance at
the papers, make scrawl on each and
take up the next package, the pile OF
rreenbacks growing steadily as the line
of LAWYERS thinned out One Of the two
lawyers looking on said to his compan-
ion:
81 have the highest respect for the
Judges integrity, but I'm satisfied he
doesn't know half the time what he IS
signing. Why, watch him. 1t is impos-
siblo for him to get half of an idea OF
what is on the paper If he examined
each one closely, he'd never get done,
bnt he should be moro careful neverthe-
less The other lawyer declared the
Judge caught at a glance the Important
sentence or phrase of each.
well, don't believe it, " exclaimed
the other. II feel sure, in spite OF bet
ter intentions, that shat 81 fee acts as
an incentive and causes his honor TO
slight his work, and I'm going TO prove
whatI say" With that he strobe out OF
the room and presently returned with
legal form signed by the sheriff, and
which set forth that on such and such q
day and at certain hour and Ill GER
tain place Judge Irving was to be
hanged by the neck until he should be
dead. The lawyer then took his place in
the line fling before the judges desk
When it came his turn, he held mp the
paper, folded between his fingers IL q
nonchalant manner, and laid down his
81 with the other hand.
His honor unfolded the paper and hur-
r;cdly plunged his pen in the ink. There
was a splutter and a Scrawl, and Judge
Irving had signed his own death war
rant. That night the lawyer went to
social gathering, which Judge Irving
was to attend, with the death warrant
III his pocket. When he found himself IN
a corner with the judge, he said: Judge,
| was watching you signing papers to-
day, and 1 couldn't for the life OF me
understand how You can read them all
Do you really read them?"
why, certainly It's u matter Of
habit, you know. have acquired 1t by
years of practice can at a glance de-
tcct the really important sentence or
word.
well" said the lawyer, producing
the death warrant and folding II III such
manner that the name OF Judge Irving
only was visible, "is that your sigma
ture?''
The judge put on his glasses, stared at
the paper an instant, and then declared
it was his signature. The lawyer then
unfolded the paper and handed it to the
Judge The latter read it and turned
crimson.
After that the signing Of papers in
Judge hving's court was as long and
tedious a process as it had been rapid and
careless before -New York Press.