Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1898-11-25
QUAY's ENEMY OFF THE BENCH.
Withdrawal Of Judge Gordon, who
Was to- Try Conspiracy Case.

PHILADELPHIA, PA, November "a
Although the formal arraignment Of Sem
ator Quay, his son, and former State
Treasurer Haywood was postponed in the
Common Pleas Court yesterday until
Monday. the case was incidentally the
means OF producing another surprise that
bordered on the sensational This was
the resignation of Judge James Gay Cor
DON who is bitter political enemy of the
Senator. and was to try the now famous
conspiracy case.
The widest rumors We're set anoat
when. at the opening Of court, Judge Fin
letter took the seat on the bench in place
of Judge Gordon One story was that
the Board Of Judges had held a meeting
and asked Judge Gordon to give place to
Finletter in the Quay proceedings. The
general comment was on the fact that
the one Judge who was familiar with the
prosecution of Senator Quay and his CO.
defendants should withdraw from the pro-
ceedngs at this critical stage. Had
Judge Gordon. however. presided at the
hearing a friend of Senator Quay as
serted afidaVits would have been pre-
sented declaring that Judge Gordon had
arranged the prosecution and had no
right TO preside at the trial.
RESIGNED TWO WEEKS AGO.
All rumors were set at rest in the after
noon, when il was announced from Har-
risburg that Judge Gordons resigna
ton had been accepted by Governor Hast
ngs. when seen about the matter,
Judge Gordon expressed surprise that the
wel-kept secret had leaked out saying:
"A month ago | appraised Governor Hast
ings OF my intention to resign. and have
had my written resignation in his hands
nearly a fortnight"
Judge Gordon, who has been on the
bench thirteen years, and had eight years
yet 10 serve, gave out a formal state
ment later. in which he said: my pur-
pose in resigning is that L may take up
again the practice Of law. My experience
has demonstrated that it is impossible,
under modern social conditions for a
judge Ia live in a great city like this
upon the salary allowed by law, and
make any provision for his family after
his death. l have seen in four cases,
since l have been on the bench. private
charity invoked to provide for the fami-
lies OF judges who died while in official
duties. This IS not as it should be, and
shudder to contemplate such a posi-
bility in my own case"
The salary of Il common pleas judge in
Philadelphia Is N,CtJ year.
GORDON a DEMOCRAT.
Judge Gordon Is Democrat and one
of the leaders Of the party in the State.
He was candidate for the Democratic
nomination for Governor this fall. but
posedly through the influence OF Senator
Quay. His feeling against Quay was
greatly intensified by the result. Ii is
the general expectation that the former
Judge will take a foremost part in re-
organizing the Democratic party Of the
State.
Politicians have reached the conclusion
that the bench Is too tame a place for
rs ...at 81 Judge Gordon's combative tenn
neramort ana political aeumen. and that
he seeks a field where his talents may
have q wid. scope. He is an orator,
they say, a,d prefers the forum TO the
bench. He is q young man, and has
often found II hoyd 10 restrain his i'm
patience on account OF some OF the things
which have transpired i'm the political
arena. 1t has also been limited that the
Judge. who has always been an aCgres-
sive political opponent Of Senator Quay,
NAV figure rs associate counsel fol tne
Commonwealth. Senator Quay's success
sion, it is believed in political circles.
will depend largely on the outcome OF
the suits now pending before Judge Fin
letter
The court proceedings consisted largely
of appeals from Quay's counsel for a .few
days postponement OF the arrangement.
which was finally granted. They as
serted that they had not had sufficient
time 10 examine the indictments and pre-
pare their answers. Their remarks con-
veyed the impression that they intended
to submit demurrers then, and possibly
motions 10 quash the indictments.
The new station at Elba. OF the Rich
mond. Fredericksburg and Potomac rail-