The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-03-31
'GAVERECORDER GOFF THE Lib
Judge CoEins and Clerk FALL Apply
Plain Terms to Tbs LsX0V Lawyer.
DEPoRE The JUDICIARY COMMITTEE.
1. Occurred While Gof Was Tsstify'ns In
Behalf of His Bill IT, increase the Salary
and Powers of the Reeorier-Judge cow
ing's Statement to the Commiffe'

Of The recorder, began their work IN the
Judges chambers in the new criminal
court building to-day. The pending phi
proposes 10 make the recorder the pre-
sIdIng fudge OF the Court OF General Ses-
sions and increases his salary 10 Slo'NO
q wear. At ll:20 o'clock "h~'rrnon O'Con-
nor called the committee 10 order ana
announced the object of the nearing.
Judge Cowing said on behalf of the
Judge OF the general sessions:
I'VE shall offer every assistance in our
power to aid your investigation. We are
in sympathy with the purpose OF tne
inquiry and hope you will go away with
\ knowledge Of the true facts. We hope
YOU will hear ali that is to be said on
both Sides
RECORDER GoFF AS wITHFss.
Recorder Coff was then called to the
witness stand.
Chairman OConnor questioned him. he
asked to give his views of the Court OF
General Sessions. He said:
"NeI. senators, | wish TO say l have
learned for the first time this morning
that there has been justice or this
court That position was occupied ny
Recorder Smythe but not by Judge OoW-
ing. as he states.
Gndge Coying denied that he had so
stated.
The witness continued: There has
never been any statute or any ruling
TO fix a chief judge OF the general ses-
sions 1t has always been an assignment
of custom. l have long oeen convinced
that the attaches Of this court are
thoroughly incompetent and unnt 10 iui-
fill the duties of the court. There mas
been no order. no discipline. They are
never found on duty. They 'ome Wnen
they want TO and they go when theV
want to. The appointees OF each Judge
consider themselves indepenie1t ot inc
other Judges. There are no hours OF uu-
ties There has never been any rules or
the court TIL lawyers practice In any
part they wish When motion IS over
ruled in one part lawyer can 80 TO an
other Judge in another part. There Is ab-
solutely no rule governing u. IheIe WAS
such a case last fall"
The witness then cited the case.
NO SYSTEM AZ TO INDICTMENTS.
Mr. Coff said: II became convinced
some time ago that the whole system
connected with the indictments was ne
gaf. Hence arose the scandal connecled
with the pigeon-holing OF the lhdlcI-
ments. As long as / can remember many
of the indictments were held over the
heads of men for election purposes. rms
was especially true with liquor dealers.
There was a great increase OF indlct-
ulaDfs just before election. Wien III the
District Attorneys office, my desk was
broken open to get out some indictments
other desks were broken open. Ihere Is
no record of indictments. The lndlct-
ments have been taken over to New
Jersey and burned. as Mr.. Purdie can
tell vou. / have never sought to cast any
reflection on any judge. 1t is against the
system | object. | insisted on change
when I became Recorder, and the sys-
ten, Is now much better. The indictments
are now a matter Of record. i thihk
more is to be done. I invited my brother
Judges 10 meeting I'm January, ana one
of the subjects discussed was appoint
ments.'
Mr.. Goff SPOKE Of the list OF attendants
and clerks. and said some OF them drew
pay from the city for years. while real
" giving no service He said: Il con-
slider the clerk of the court should not
be a district leader in politics
Senator O'Connor wanted to know II
the clerk Of this court could not use his
official position to advance the interests
Of his party. The Recorder said ne could
do so. He said there was no reflection on
the character OF Mr.. Sparks. If clerks
had been promoted for honesty efiicien-
cy and length of service, AS the other
judges claim, MIR. Hall or Mr.. Walsh
would have been made chief clerk"
What system would you recommend
RECORDER GoFF GIVEN The LIZ.
"I would have men come here and work
for the money, the same as any mechan-
ic | would have the men divorced from
politics, and would not have men receive
letters from political parties, as Judge
Cowing knows"
THAT is not true" spoke Up Judge
Cowing. Don't use my name
Judge Cowing knows men have re-
ceved letters" continued Recorder Goff.
ITS lie; it's a lie," shouted Judge
Cowing. Don't mention my name. es-
pecially in connection with a false hood"
Mr.. Goff got red in the face. but con-
tinued:
land there Is Clerk Hall. who became
a Democrat after his appointment by
Judge Cowing."
That's a le," cried out the Clerk, who
was standing near by. II am Democrat,
and always have been"
Judges Cowing and Fitzgerald were
asked II they wanted to ask the Recorder
any questions.
NO" said Judge Cowing, 81 will an
swer him i'm my own way. / would not
put question 10 him. have not spoken
to him in three months, but | wish the
opportunity Of being heard"
And !. also" said Judge Fitzgerald.
II want TO make a statement
"Oh, certainly. judges" said Chair
man O'COnncr. I'VE shall give you a
chance to give your side Of the case.
We only wish to get al the truth OF the
matter. There seems 10 be a difference
among the judges"
Eyes. unfortunately" said JIdge Cow
Ing, there is a difference, and IT is a dis
graceful condition OF affairs. During my
sixteen years service / have not hal
anything so scandalous."
I'm sorry 10 see such condition OF
| things" said Charm an O'Connor.
JUDGE cowrSG's STATEMENT.
The chairman then announced a recess
| for an hour. After recess Judge Rufus
B. Cowing was sworn.
He said he was city Judge He then
proceeded TO read a statement, In which
! ne said: II am not here 10 smirch my
court. | shall confine myself TO the pro-
posed bill to regulate the appointment OF
court attendance. Supposing l had sent
to Albany a bin increasing my salary
80 l-3 per cent, and making me chief
| Justice OF this court, what would you
| think of Judge Cowing? / pause for your
answer. We are ali presiding judges IN
our own part. Who could better be Sc
| lected chief Judge than he who is ntted
by long experience and acquaintance with
the ways OF the court. There Is no law
designating such selection. l have been
! here for seventeen years. Recorder Con
has not been here seventeen weeks.
| am a Republican. but not partisan BY
long service | should be chief Judge. /
| think I am entitled TO IL, and will claim
| q until YOU take IL away. ] was sorry
u,ban 7 heard the hard things said this