Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-03-24

Judge Edmund waddin Jr.. whose an.
pHrrmout as United States District
Ja.Ea was confirmed by the Senate on
tuesday, Will qualify by taking the oath
of office next Saturday morning.
mere will be no formahty I'm the pro-
.a.Hgs. which viii take place in the
n-.uct-Court-room about 10 O'Clock. in
r.a presence OF few intimate friends
and some members Of the Richmond Bar.
judge hughes who is retiring from the
uuch, viii arrive here on Friday night.
.r order to be present at Judge waddiWs
raacuon into office. and after the oath
n.s been administered he will conduct
Ia.ee Waddiu 20 his seat upon the
bench, and, walking therefrom. will re-
ur. TO the bar. and take seat amongst
..a lawyers.
Judge Waddnl is strongly opposed TO
rwauty OF any sort, and SAYS he will
rrg make a speech from the bench. This
D.. says. has been done in some cases.
..t DO always struck him as bedng a
rr.lcu.arly foolish proceeding, and he
does not propose 10 be guilty Of any
thing for which he cannot see a salts
factory reason.
THE OATH QUITE SIMPLE.
The oath, which is an obligation to
obey the Constitution and laws Of the
lrrad states. and faithfully administer
justice. Will probably be administered by
SIP. MCLain Peasants. Clerk of the
tinted States Circuit Court, who is Sc
nor commissioner mere.
The office OF District Judge carries
with 10 the patronage Of three clerkships-
Alexandra, Norfolk. and Richmond
three u8iHus, and two messengers. one
u Norfolk, ana a special messenger in
E.rGmond. 1t IS customary to retain the
services OF the clerks appointed by the
r.urlng Judge, but the rule has its ex-
repu0ns, and a gentleman who Is close
r1 Judge Waddill says that there will
probably be a change or two.
GIVES Up GOOD CASES.
Judge Waddun said to a Dispatch re-
Igr,er yesterday that ne would retire
from the bar with very mixed feelings.
The practice of law has held great fas-
C.uation for him, and it is a well-known
fact that his practice is one Of the largest
90 the city. His engagements included a
.ass TO be argued before the Appellate
Court at the next session, for which he
would have received a fee of 5000, and
slt for so 900 damages, with contingent
fee Of one-third of that amount, which
Judge Waddnl says he would have been
sure TO win. He will divide his practice
amongst his most intimate friends at the
bar. giving the more important cases TO
prominent lawyers with whom he has
been connected, but his younger friends
mill .,nt Ia f,ru,frau aud a9Fb will pOup
.u for recognition.
Judge Waddul says that he intends to
devote all his energies TO becoming tho
roughly acquainted with the details of
hls new duties. He proposes to make
Richmond his headquarters, but Will
spend two days each week in Norfolk so
as 20 attend 10 the work of that office,
which far exceeds that i'm Richmond. At
present the new Judge is very busy
closing up his practice. He was anxious
% postpone his induction into Office for
week or so. but the grand and petit juries
meet - Richmond on the 9Th and 9th of
April, and there are several important
matters TO be attended 10 before that
time.
THE NEW POSTMASTER.
Mr.. Wray T. Knight, whose appoint
ment as postmaster was confirmed at the
same time as that Of Judge Waddill, will
take charge Of the Richmond office on the
lst Of April. He was notified by telegram
yesterday that his bond had been for
warded, and as soon as it is received he
will provide security and go to Washing
ton 20 receive his commission An in
spectOr will then be sent here to transfer
the office from Mr.. w II. Culingworth,
the incumbent. TO Mr.. knight.
The United States grand jury will meet
on the 9TH instant and the petit jury on
the 9th. The personnel Of both is quite
distinguished. and some important mat
tiers will be submitted to their consider
alton