The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1903-04-18
TIE CITIZENS MEETING.
Committee Requests Judge Wallace
to Withdraw His Resisnstion-He
Declines To Do So And In Ex-
tended Remarks Gives Rec
sons For His Action

tended Remarks Gives Res
sons For His Action.
A largely attended meeting of represen
tative citizens was held In the courthous,
here Wednesday night to take some step.
looking to inducing Judge 4 W Wallac,
to withdraw bis resignation as Judge o
the Corporation Court
Col. L. d. Cole called the meeting to or
der and requested Mayor NJ. &. Willis t.
preside and Mr.. \. F. Rowe TO act at
secretary
Mayor Willis 10 taking the chair made
a few remarks, in which he stated the
object OF the meeting.
Judge John T. Goodrich, Mr.. b. L. vii
lis and Mr.. q. W. Shepherd addressed the
meeting and in the course of their re-
marks eulogized Judge Wallace and de-
plored his act in resigniog his office. Mr..
Shepherds resolution to appoint a com
mittee OF sixteen to wait on Judge Wal
lace, and request him to withdraw his
resignation and continue to serve the
people was adopted and Chairman Willis
appointed the following to compose the
committee:
Messrs st. Geo. r. Fitzhugh. G. W.
Shepherd, T. McCracken, + ID. Cole. Judge
yno. Il. Goodrich, John NJ Griffin, +. +.
Baker James II. Rawlings. u. r. Willis
J. Z. Corbiu, Il. n Brent. DR. Geo II
Chewning, A. b. Bolts, 5 $. Bradford
VIM. II. Hurkamp, Isaac Hirsh
MIR. fItzhugh, the chairman. immedi-
ately called the meeting together and
stated that Judge Wallace would be
waited upon at once and n report made
TO the meeting.
The committee repaired to the residence
OF Judge Wallace where the members
were cordially received Mr.. Fitzhugh in
clear, forcible style explained the object of
the call and earnestly urged Judge Wal
lace to reconsider his action
JUDGE wALI.ACE's RESPONSE.
Judge Wallace, in response, politely but
firmly declined to withdraw his resigna-
ton. He said in part:
| appreciate most cordially the expires
sion OF the meeting you represent, for
there is nothing of a public character
value so much as the confidence and es-
TEEN OF those who have had the oppor-
tunity oil knowing me. by more or less
personal association, through years
Ii is hard to refuse any request of such a
community; but there comes a time in
every mans life when he must. in duty &c
his household, if he wishes to prolong hi.
days for their protection and care. il
a measure, relax the strain of activ,
| WI NJ anu itti AHtt tlic litllt HAS CONF
when | must do so.
do not think that the public interest,
OF our city can be injured 10y my resigna
ton as Judge.
As | construe the new Constitution tn,
Judicial system therein provided doe
not go into effect until February. 1904
so there is no danger OF the office Of Cor
poration Judge ceasing to exist becaus,
OF vacancy therein OF ninety DAYS. ant
the Governor can Immediately designat,
a Circuit Judge to hold the terms of tn,
Corporation Court until the Legislature
now in session, elects a Judge. Ii tn,
Legislature, which takes a recess on Nav
9th until November, does not elect q
Judge before the former date. the Cover
nor can appoint one ad interim. to hold
Office from the date OF his appointment
to date thirty days after the meeting
OF the Legislature in November; so thai
there is no legal difficulty about having
the Corporation Court preserved and the
position of Judge filled il it is desired
or, il it is thought best, in the place of
the Corporation Court, to have City
Circuit Court, with the Judge of the Cir
cult Court holding four terms here n
year, the people can vote to destroy the
Corporation Court, then the Legislature
can give the city such City Circuit Court
with Judge Mason for the Judge, and
confer on the Clerk ofsuch Court. in va.
cation, jurisdiction in matters of proof OF
wills and appointment of fiduciaries and
personal representatives.
And now, III conclusion, | appreciate
that | owe such debt of gratitude to
the people of fredericksburg, that
they have a right to call upon me for the
performance of public service, and unless
there are paramount reasons, that it il
my duty to serve them, especially when
the service is OF such character as 70
demonstrate that the call is tribute oil
esteem; but my irrevocable action in
retiring from the bench is based on the
belief that it is absolutely necessary tor
the reason | have stated above Before
closing gentlemen of the committee, al
though it evinces the weakness of emo.
ton, | cannot refrain from saying that il
Ia the proudest satisfaction of my life
more precious to me than the ephem
eral glamour of any position of place OF
power, to know that the people of my
native and lifelong home believe me &c
have been faithful TO. the trust will
which through so many years they hav,
decorated and honored me
Upon the return of the committee, Mr.
Fitzhugh reported to the meeting tina
Judge Wallace declined to withdraw hi
resignation and the meeting adjourned.
THE STEAMER CAROLINE.