The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1897-02-04
JUDGE NORW oOO's CASE
COMMITTEE POSTPONE FINAL
ACTION UNTIL TO-DAY.
Ju ge Boy kin a. d Mr.. Moody Make
Eloquent Pieas--Wlli Probably
Get Another Show.

Get AnOtner snow.
The members OF the Judiciary Com
mittee who were in their seats at 4
O'clock yesterday afternoon were as fol-
lows: Lusk, chairman, Cook, Hare,
Chapin. Schulken, Cunningham, Murphy,
McC'rarv. Sutton, Price, Blackburn, Duff
fy. Craven. Mr.. Ferguson came in later.
There were quite number of smaller
bills considered, among them the bill to
preserve the Confederate Records. Col.
KEENAN, was before the committee, but
MS there was no definite knowledge
forthcoming as to the cost of the proposed
publication, the bill was allowed simply
TO remain on the calendar to be consid-
cred later, il it were thought best.
Meanwhile, the Supreme Court Library
chamber was gradually filling with citi-
zens, members, out-of-town people, spe-
ciallv the friends of Judge Norwood
from the Western portion of the State.
Among these latter was Mayor Cooke, of
Asheville. Among others present We're
W. Z. Bynum, of Greensboro; Col
Cheek, of Henderson; Oscar Spears, and
others
At first Col. Sutton moved for execu-
tive session. but withdrew the motion,
Judge Boyzin and Mr.. James NJ.
Moody and Observation-Disclosures Rey-
nolds came in, and Col. Sutton said they
had been to see the Governor and would
be heard
Mr.. Moody sai,t~that Judge Norwood
had written his resignation and could
not find the Governor, but had given it
to the observation-disclosures
Mr.. Moody then read the resignation
which was unconditional, presumably
to remain in the Iieutenant-G Governor
hands to be handed under certain cir
cumstances, to the Governor
Col Sutton then moved that the pro
ceedings be deferred until to-day,
when it was suggested by the Lieutenant
Governor that there was court to be
held in Monroe next Monday Col. SUIT
ton said there would be plenty of
time. Mr.. Moody said it would be HUI
initiating to Judge Norwood to hold court
while these proceedings We're pending.
Mr.. Blackburn took the same view, and
asked for the consideration now. Mr.
Moody said he had known Judge Nor
wood all his life, and said the existence
of the family, almost, was at stake in
this matter, and that his wife would go
with him from court to court and pledge
her faith TO see that his resignation is
accepted if he lapses again.
Mr. Moody said he lived within two
hundred yards of Judge Norwood home,
and knew the struggle of his wife. Mr.
Moody made a pathetic plea, and was
much moved during the delivery Of his
He asked that the case be
postponed.
Mr.. Moody said he lived within two
that to-day, that he had been the first
for Judge Norwood but he
thought the Governor ought to be seen,
after which he was willing to vote for
indefinite postponement.
Mr.. Moody said he was here to- pledge
the faith of as good a woman as there
was in North Carolina that Judge Nor
wood would keep his pledge, because he
knew that she keeps him up to his
promise, and she would go with him from
court to court. Mr.. Moody said that he
had all respect for the Chief Executive,
at which point Col. Lusk suggested that
the resignation could not remain in the
hands in its present form.
Judge Boykin said he appeared before
the committee not as paid attorney, but
simply as friend of Judge Norwood,
whom he admired and respected. He
thought with the conditions
laid down here, the result
would be satisfactory. 1t was
certainly necessary to his ease and COM
fort to dispose of the matter; it would
be nothing less than punishment to keep
him in suspense. Judge Boykin repeated
the conditions Of the resignation, and
asked what more could the committee de-
mand or expect He ventured, as mem
Der of different party, that the people
of the State dill not demand the resigna-
ton of this man, and adverse action
might entail evil and distressing conse-
quences. If this guarantee was carried
out, there would be no harmful result to
the State Should he be punished for
what he had done? Judge Boykin asked
for a speedy action, to the end that he
have chance of retrieving himself.
There never was a judge inn
peached in North Carolina (Col.
Lusk thinking, however, that
there had been one) Judge BOykin
said if the pledge were broken, Judge
Norwood was prepared to take the conse-
quences. de had to hold court next
Monday 1t would be a very brave man
to administer justice when he himself
was before this august body for trial.
The only point to settle was as to the re-
pository of this resignation, and surely
the Lieutenant Governor could be trusted
as fit repository. Judge Boykin had
known Judge Norwood for years, and
paid high tribute to his uprightness,
and said he was by no means lacking in
good legal ability. Judge Boy1in could
not. be present to-day and made that a
plea for speedy action. Judge Boykin
eloquently touched upon the quality OF
mercy, which he asked in behalf Of
noble, honest, upright man. Let us give
him a chance to reassert himself, and to
remove this disgrace now impending over
himself and his family.
Col. Sutton said the committee had to
make report of some kind; the commit
tee had no right to indefinitely postpone.
ALI Col. Sutton wanted was for the gen
tleman to consult the Governor and get