The age-herald., 1899-06-09
IN HOTEL LOBBIES i AND ELSEWHERE

Judge Feagins sentence of the chief of the Birmingham police to five days in jail for contempt of court is a sensation, even for Birmingham and is likely to be gen. eraly discussed throughout the country. fIn point of fact there was no other ac- ton possible for the judge to take" said a lawyer One of the highest authorities l on common law declares that "courts of | justice have inherent power to punish all persons for contempt of their rules and or ders, for disobedienee of process, and for ] disturbing them in their proceedings. Dis l obedience of a court which has no juris- l diction is not a contempt. A court will of l it's own motion notice and summarily pun l is a contempt committed in its presence, 1 but contempt not so committed is usually brought before 1t by affidavits and the l offender is ordered to show cause why an attachment should not issue against him, or rule is made directing him to appear | and answer. He has no right in such | cases to a trial by jury. The penalty for contempt is usually fine or Imprisonment. All courts of record possess the power to punish for contempt. In Great Britain and in many of the states of our Union, jus l tices of the peace can punish summarlly for contempt committed in their presence. Where person is regularly adjudged to be in contempt he cannot be discharged by another court or judge on q writ of habeas corpus" z "One of the present representatives in congress from Alabama was sentenced to ,fIg+ ing the position of state solicitor several years ago." said a planter from the Black belt. George Washington Taylor, of the First district, was the man, and the judge who held him to be in contempt was the late William I1. Clarke, of Morengo, whose recent death called forth so many words of hearty regret. Judge Clarke was at times very irascible, but his wrath cooled as quickly as it warmed. In court one day Solicitor Taylor was proceeding to make out the states case against a prisoner on trial That will do MT Taylor" the judge suddenly said.
 But, your honor, here is the law in the matter, and I must call your honor's attention to it."
 You are in contempt" thundered the judge. MT. Sheriff, take MT. Taylor to jail"
 "The crowd in the court room interferred and there was prospect of a row. Taylor de- clared his readiness to go to jail, and was as cool as a man could be. Court WIS ad- journed, and that was the end of it. The judge was very sorry, and Taylor never went to jail. Taylor was as brave and true a man as Clarke, and the two greatly d. delegation in congress, by the way, were formally prosecuting attorneys. Taylor and Stallings were solicitors and Henry Clayton was United States district at torney."
 "Very few of the admirers of Augusttn Daily were aware that he was a native of North Carolina said a man in the lobby, who personally knew MT. Daily. He was the first of American theatrical managers and his good influence in elevating the gen. oral character of the stage in this country was almost as great as Irvng's work with the English stage. Daly had high ideals and he never grew weary in attempting to carry them out. He was strong char acter, strong man, and a good citizen. His success in London was even greater than it was in New York. He built in Shaftesbury avenue, near Piccadilly circus the most attractive theater in London. In that house was first produced The Sign of the Cross which was a most remark able success. It ran through the Lenten season Of 1896, and because of it's religious title society crowded to see it; maintaining that there was no violation of Lenten ob- ligations in going to see a play with such a name. This pious humbuggery poured a stream of gold into the box-office of Dalys for forty days, less the Sundays. It made a fortune for Wilson Barrett. Daly is supposed to have died wealthy man. He leaves nobody to take his place in the theatrical world"
 The attendance at the meeting of the Alabama Press association in Birmingham next week will aggregate 165, which will probably be the largest number that ever attended any meeting of the association. At least two of the few remaining members of the 'old guard" will be present, namely, General James Berney Stanley of the Greenville Advocate, and l.. Hensley Grubbs, of the Decatur News. General Stanley was one of the organizers of the association some twenty-five years ago, and was it's first secretary, a position he held for several years. Subsequently he was chosen president. He has prospered more than any other, Alabama newspaper man, and is handsomely fixed for the pleas ing task of growing old gracefully. He doesn't need to care whether school keeps More than a hundred of the press party will make the journey from Birmingham to Niagara Falls. Secretary Rountree's ar engagements have been admirably made, and he will receive warmest thanks for the work which his enthusiasm and energy nave enabled him to do. The programme for the association while in Birmingham is very promising.
 He sat watching curiously the many men who entered and departed from hotel lobby; and, turning to a companion, he asked with some tinge of bitterness these