Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1896-04-02
His Dcath-Warrant.

a prominent New Jersey lawyer
tells the Cincinnati Inquirer a story
that possesses more than local inter-
est. 1t is a true narrative of how
one man constituted himself a LeXow
com mitteC of one, and in a simple
but nevertheless ingenious manner
practically cradiCated an evil in one
New York court which had grown to
proportions that seemed alarming.
IL was the court of Judge J. r. Irv-
ing. 1T was the rule that every time
the Judges signed paper thew
should receive a fec Of one dollar
1t meant that it cost one dollar to
nave the Judge write his autograph.
one day two prominent New York
lawyers were in Judge Irving's court
when he was busily engaged in sign
ing papers. There was long line
Of lawyers filing slowly in front of
his desk, and as each passed up his
papers he at the same time laid down
corresponding number of dollars.
The Judge would glance at the pa
papers, make scrawl on each, and
take up the next package, the pile of
greenbacks growing steadily as the
line of lawyers thinned out. One of
the two lawyers looking on said to
his companion:
have the highest respect for the
Judges integrity, but / am satisfied
he does not know half the time what
he is signing"
With that he strobe from the room,
and presently returned with a legal
form signed by the sheriff, and which
set forth that on such and such day,
at certain hour and i'm a certain
place, Judge Irving was to be hanged
by the neck until he would be dead.
The lawyer then took his place in the
line filing before the Judges desk.
When it came his turn he held up
the paper, folded between the fin
gers, in a nOnchalant manner, and
laid down his one dollar with the
other hand, watching the Judge mar
rowly out of the corner of his eyes.
His Honor unfolded the paper and |
hurriedly plunged his pen in the ink.
There was a splutter and scrawl,
and Judge Irving had signed his own
death warrant.
Without word the lawyer took
the document and put it away care
fully in his pocket. His companion,
who had watched the performance
with bated breath, could scarcely be-
ieve his eyes. That night the law
yer went to social gathering, which
Judge Irving was to attend, with the
leath-warrant in his pocket. Late
n the evening he found himself in
corner with the Judge, and realized
hat his opportunity had come to
erve his warrant.
"Judge," he began, 81 was watch
ng you signing papers to-day, and
couldn't for the life of me under
taDd how you can read them ALL
DO you really read them ?"
Why, certainly. It's a matter
# habit, you know. / have ac- (
Iuired it by years Of practice. 1 can
It glance detect the really import I
mt sentence or word"
Don't you think that rather
dangerous practice? Mightn't you
'ut your name to something you
ught not to?"
"Oh, my, no!'
You don't think the dollar fee is
n incentive to the man to do the
work. little more hurriedly than he {
ught ?"
&C can't answer for other men,
'ut l am sure in my own case the
money makes no difference"
"We(l," said the lawyer, produc-
ng the death-warrant and holding it
n such manner that the name of
udge Irving only was visible, al is
hat your signature"
" 1t looks like it,"
Examine it closely and tell me
it is your handwriting"
The Judge put on his glasses,
tared at the paper an instant, and
hen declared it was his signature
The lawyer then untiolded the paper
nd handed it to the Judge. The lat
er read it and turned crimson.
When did you get that paper ?"
le gasped.
I" gave it to you this morning
md you signed it. 1 told Lawyer
3land you would sign it, and you
lid"
After that the signing of papers i'm
Indge Irving's court was as long and
edious a process as it had been rapid
md careless before. 1t was said of
lim that he was much slower and
more painstaking than he need have
)een.