The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1901-02-16
JUSTICE JOHNS COURT.
City Ordinance independently Law
yers Need Apply"

\ test case OF some Importance came
before Richmond's far famed interpreter
of all questions of equity and jurtSpru-
dence yesterday. and the ruling of the
eminent jursst of the City Police Court
brought joy and gladness to the hearts
of two large classes of citizens whose re-
presentation in goodly numbers told OF
the lively interest they feel in the matter.
Recently u movement was inaugurdted
by an association of retail grocers and
green grocers with view to protection
against peddling ON the streets, which is
said to have largely increased of late. The
Enactment of IL stringent city ordinance,
raising the license to S100, was secured,
but after its passage the green grocers
feared that it's provisions would OF crate
against a much larger Iiuinber OF street
vendors thnn those they aimed at. and
that by being too comprehensive the law
would fail of enforcement, and awaken
so lively an opposition that it would soon
be taken from the statue books.
Thomas Henly, Fritz Snow and NJ. Nc
Daniel Were before Justice Crutchheld
yesterday on the charge of peddIing coal
without a license. After thorough con-
sideration of the ordinance, the Justice
ruled that sts provisions did not and do
not apply to peddlers Of coal, wood. ice or
milk. or to peddlers o. wares which are
vi NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS. ~ liz POI ~
selling the article on the street.
The justice. however, made it clear that
this was an Interpretation and ruling on
the city ordinance. and that he did not
pass upon the requirements or proVlS-
ions of the act on the subject which has
recently passed the Legislature and
awaits the signature of the Governor. OF
course, this act would not apply TO the
alleged offenses of HenIy, Snow and Nc
Daniel committed before it's becoming
law by the signature of the Governor: but
as that signature will probably be given
to-day, it will apply to multitude of
similar cases at once. The representa-
tiveS of the Green Grocers Association
and the coal wood, ice and milk peddlers,
both state however. that the provisions
of the State legislation are similaf to-
those of the city ordinance in exempting
street vendors of coal. wood. ice and
milk, and also all parties peddling goods
which they have produced manufact-
ured
If the Governors signature is affixed
to the stringent State legislation on the
subject which makes the fine for ped
ding without license from 500 TO $500,
q test case of u similar character Will
come up at once, and the ruling of JUS
tice John is awaited with interest
In the case of William Smith (colored).
charged with assauitinS with intent to
Kill. LOnnle lnS COuIt IcCoiuS
contain after the verdict of $500 security
for twelve months. the following inter
estinS inscription, written in lette-S large
enough for all THE world to see: No
lawyer need apply
Justice John further intimated that it
was his purpose to erect similar beacon
lights of warning along the course of the
courts journey from day to day, for the
protection and guidance of certain intrepid
voyagers on the sea of jurisprudence.
Fred. Ross (colored) was charged with
beating Leila Patterson (coloredl, but
Leila gave a rather poor account of it.
and Fred. proved to be AMI advocate Of
no mean ability, me was dismissed.
Richard Meade had been irnbibing some
what too freely, but he swore off for
twelve months, with the understanding
that a second offense would mean twelve
months, so he was dismissed.
John Hill (coloredD has had some domes-
tic troubles, which illuminated in a fight
with his wife. These will be given an
airing on February 23d.
James Mitchell (colored) was disturbed
recently during tranquil evening reverie
by a fusilade of bricks on his door,
Armed with the nearest stick of wood.
he sailed forth and Edward johnson
(coloretD, who CHANGED, by i'll fortune, to
be passing that way, received a beating
that rendered necessary the skill OF Dr.
Oils. The troubles of James and Edward
viii come up before Judge Witt on March
4th