The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1904-08-09
JUDGE PARKER RESIGNS
Gives Up Office AS Chief Judge Of
New York Court Of Appeals.
ANNOUNCEMENT WAS SURPRISE

Now the Untrammeled Candidate Of
the Democracy For President, Lack
ina Only His Formal Notification On
Wednesday Next.
Albany, n. T. Aug. 6.-Alton B. Par
ker has ceased to be chief Judge OF the
court of appeals of this state. and be-
came the untrammeled candidate OF
the Democratic party for the presi'
dency of the United States, lacking
only the formal notification of his nom-
ination. which will take place al Rose
mount next Wednesday afternoon.
without any advance announcement
or intimatlon of his purpose, he came
to Albany, took part with five OF the
other judges in clearing mp practically
all OF the cases which had been argued
before the court. and then sent n mes
senger to file his formal resignation
in the office of the secretary of state.
as the constitution and public officers
law required.
lie left Esopus, accompanied by the
newspaper men. who have been on
duty at Rosem0unt ever since his NOM
nation. Until after the train had
left Kingston he would not diyulge his
destination Few of the people In
the day coach In which he rode APP
pcared 10 recognize him. He ar
rived in Albany just after noon,
and after luncheon went to the capital
and ut once Joined in consultation with
his colleagues over the cases pending
before the court. The consultation
lasted little over one hour and the
Judges handed down to the clerk sc
decisions. which practically cleared up
the business before the court.
Tho judges present were: Parker
ORrion, Martin. Vann. Cullen and
Werner The court was in session less
than two minutes. and adjournment
was Immediately taken until October 3
His business as chief Judge being
completed, Judge Parker then TOOK
up the matter upon which he had come
10 Albany. the filing of his resigna
ton. lie called in all the newspaper
men. took them through the cOuri
chambers. private Offices and consul
tation rooms. and introduced each ono
10 his associate judges, In his Owl
room, which he has occupied so long
he stopped and looked out OF the win
dow 10 the distant hills across th'
Hudson. Ills voice trembled rs h
said: This room, boys. was mine
Tho very slight emphasis upon th'
word was was the first indication
he had given of his intention to re-
sign. Returning TO the consultation
room. he took a long envelope from his
pocket, and turning to Buell. c. An
drews. one of the officials OF the court
said: Andrews. will you do a kind
ness for me. Just take this down
stairs and file it with the secretary
OF state?"
The document read: "Hon. John F
ORrien, secretary Of state. Sir
hereby respectfully resign my office
as chief Judge of the court of appeals
OF the state Of New York, such resig
nation to take effect Immediately
Alton b. Parker"
This will enable the issuance of tho
necessary orders to bring about the
election of a successor to Chief Judge
Parker this fall for the full term OF u
years. instead OF an appointment by
the governor for one year, If the res
ignation had been delayed until aftel
August 10.
Judge Parker spent the remainder
of the afternoon in CONDENSATION viii
his late colleagues in the court He
refused to make any statement or com
ment in connection with his resigna
ton. beyond saying; ut speaks for 1t
self"
His fellow judges were not so reti
cent. Judge Celora Martin. whose ser
vice Is soon 20 expire by reason of age
voiced the sentiments of all the cour
when he said I'VE all regret very
sincerely that the necessity has arlseT
to separate the members Of the court
Judge Parker takes with him from
the court the good will of every mem
Der of it and the profoundest respect
and regret. could say nothing bad Il
| tried. except that he is a Democrat
II he were a good Republican. ] tel
Won he would be an ideal fellow"
Whatever pressure had been brought
TO bear upon Judge Parker in the mat
ter of timing his resignation so that
his successor might, on the one hand
be named by the governor or, on the
other. chosen at the November cleo
ton. was effort lost, for the course pur-
sued was the one the Judge decided on
as soon as the st. Louis convention
nominated him for president.
Chairman rsgsart In New York
New York, Aug 6.-Thomas Tag
CART, chairman of the Democratic ma