The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1896-11-12
ASKED HIM TO VACATE.
JrsTICE TINCENT EEoUEsTLD nor
10 TRI mr. NIRCLh c.isE.
qhc Request i}ascd Upon an Affidavit
Bringing serious Charge Against INN
lie Declined TO Acccdc' However

Many curious cases have had their orr
pin In ncnrico county ia years gone by'
but probably none have presented so
many singular aspects as that OF J. "a
Syrcic. registrar at smithcrs' precinct
which after many delays. was begun be-
,ore ,so,,irc G.. e.. Vincent az llonrlco
County Courthouse yesterday afternoon
Were it not that so serious "a que7uon %
involved. the whole affair would he 'u"'-
vrous ~ the extreme. and the proeee'''.s'
yesterday could best Doe describe" 10y
Tho pen Of Dickens in Dis most hnnoI-
Gus vein. 10 was "a series OF "uJ.
20 almost everything introduced in ''o
way OF testimony. pcrsisteniN uis'" "'
Mcssrs. Bevtridcc. Justis, ana M""'''' '' D.
particularly the TWO former "il"o"N" 'l
many cases their ground Tor oNle.''"e
seemed 60 the unnitated 10 nf as
Wciehty as the argument adouee" "' '.lD
attorney for Mrs. Bardel. in tine famous
Bardoli- PickwiCK breach Of promise SUIT
ORIGIN or THE CASE.
The case first came to trial ON a war
rant served upon ). r. Syfcic' '"di si"s
him with unlawfully refusing 10 I't's,,'
Moss Jennings. ON october hh ana ''"'
last. When the matter came up uti"ic
Justice Vincent. coupscl for the lios.'u'
zion. desired 20 introduce evidence Iei"'-
ing 10 events which had o.cniIcd ~"
October Sth and eth and October -tn. ,he
last legal registration day. counsel LOT
the defence objected sircuuousiy To lhl-'
but were oyerrulcd hy thc court Ihcy
then asked for continuance in ordeI
that fhcv might summon witnesses 10 re-
bur the testimony offered hy the prosecu-
lion This was granted. and the trial hX-
cd for yesterday al y o'clock.
Tho defence did not let the grass grow
linder their feet. but YESTERDAY morning
summoned large number OF Witnesses
who presumably are acquainted with the
facts TO which they are expected TO
testify. as we'll ass several who have no
knowledge whatever of the case. namely
she business manager. news editor city
editor. and one of the reporters Of The
Times newspaper. Several of these gem
ilemcnt were on hand whom the case was
called but were allowed 10 return 10
their business upon the promise that
they would respond 10 telephone mes
sage when they We're needed. This ac-
tion was tho result OF am earnest ap-
peal 20 the court boy Captain Guigon who
pointed ont that daily newspaper could
Were engaged in court at the same time.
The case was set for the noon hour. but
81 was nearly 1880 o'clock before any
move WAS made Syrclc who was pres
cnt To court wearing "a look OF some anN-
iety upon his face was represented by
Mossrs. William u. Bevcridge w. II.
Justis Jr.. and Hill Montague. the latter
gentleman supplying the gap left by the
withdrawal of Mr.. n. ". Smith. Jr..
whose other engagements made IL impos-
sble FOR him 10 continue in the case.
Captain a. B Guicon. and Mr.. Barton II.
Wise represented the prosecution.
The first move in the case was made by
air Montague VINO arose holding
lHTer in his hand. Tie preiaCcd his
Temar S. by tho statement that the duty
which revolved upon him was an eX-
Ceodinglv painful one and that only
sense OF duty TO his client compelled
him 20 perform it.
ASKED TO NACATE.
For reasons which 1 shall give" De
said. II ask your Honor not 10 sit in
this case. but 20 v8cate the bench in favor
OF some other Justice of the peace. since
my client fears that be cannot receive
at your hands that impartial justice 10
which ho IS entitled
Tn explanation of this request Mr. Mon
1aeue then read the paper which Dee held
which proved 10 bee an affidavit. SUBJ
fcribed and sworn 10 by j. r. Syrcle
before Squire l.. j. Picrece of Henrico
charging that the afiiant believed Mr..
Vincent 20 have been recently i'm the
employ of the Republican and National
ID nocrauc parties. anC &C. have received
in remuneration Tor such services the
sum OF $40. Believing such 10 be the
case. the affidavit continued. the said
Stfcie old not think zee could obtain JUS
lice al The hands o. Squire Vincent.
With this explanation. Mr. Montague
ngain requested squire Vincent TO va
cate The bench in favor OF some other
magistrate.
Squire Vincent listened TO lIr. Mon
iAguc remarks iu silence. and when he
had concluded replied that he was OK
lremeiy sorry that Mir. Syrclc was
hfrnd Justice would not be imparti,lI,,
meled out by him.
But De continued. This affidavit is
80 extraordinary ana so much al vari-
"'e with The law. that / do not deem
~ worthy OF notice at this time. win
consider u later. Meanwhllo. LET .he
case 80 on" ''0
Mi. Montasuc continued 20 ureo his
E'"I until finally Squire Vincent ia.
iai'1 natiy that he would moi vacate ,,,o
"' n"t would hear the case tbrou,b
'"piain Huigon then briefly addressed
'"e court Tie declared that he tnc,r
-''"ns Whatever of the cbaroo co,-
..'N," IN 'he affidavit. but that even 10
'tW.e Vincent had performed sorvicee
'o' tNe National Democrats or Ronubli-
Guns ana had been rcmunerated for tho
S"ne, II was question for him ia a.
''IHiihe in hie own heart whether De was
"''' 10 give an impartial hearing If he
'n''sn' me- could it Was right for him
tp ~. ih lhe Gaze. Captain Guieon
tho"sht the same doubt might reasonohly
be raised n the presiding magistrate ,,.a.
one VINO had been actively identified VIII,
Ihe silver party win
MIR. JUsTIs' CHARGES.
Mr. Justis took an opposite view, oc ,t.
rase. and in lengthy speech reet.t.I
severely upon Squire Vincent infi,oatt,,-.
that the $50 paid him had eofnovbgt ,h7
nature OF a. bribe. lie declared tho, ,',..
year ago MIR Vincent had run fo,
once on the regular Democratic ticlo,
and was now engaged in opposing tboi
party. He strongly iutimatcd thar Nr
Vincent had changed his politics for and
in consideration OF the sum OF $50. Ana
now" he exclaimed. "he wants TO Sit In
Judgment upon one against whom those
services We're rendered
This reference 10 the possible effect Of
money upon the decision OF Justice Vim
cent IN the pending cas-, brought Captain
Iuig,n again to his feet with the decla-
ration that such "a grave charge advanced