The San Francisco call., 1905-02-18
DUNNE WROTH
At LAWLOR
Angrily Protests Against
Trying Case Involving the
Election Commissioners
WARM WORDS IN COURT
Presiding Judge Pleads His
Calendar Is Crowded, but
Assigns Cause to Himself

The judicial dignity Of Presiding
Judge Lawlor received a shock yes
terday morning when Judge Dunno
faced him on the bench and in an ex-
cited manner and angry voice objected
10 the assignment TO his court of the
case Of the Election Commissioners
charged with misfeasance in Office. A
case was being tried at the time and
the courtroom was crowded The re-
monstrances Of Judge Dunno became
so frequent and so loud that Judge
LaWlor took q recess for q few min
utes and requested his colleague to
step into his chambers. Judge Dunno
carried his point and Lawlor reas-
signed the case to himself
The case was originally before Judge
I-awlor. After considerable argument
on demurrer interposed by the de-
PENDANTS on the ground that the cita-
ton should have been issued in the
name Of the people, the Judge held
that the point was well taken and or
oered new citation issued in that
form. This was done and the defend
ants were ordered TO appear in court
yesterday.
the defendants and their attorneys, T.
V. Gator and II. w. johnson. were
present, besides Attorney John A Hos
mer, special counsel for the proseou-
tion. Judge Lawlor said he had as
signed the case TO Judge Dunno ow-
ing to the congested condition of his
own calendar. The attorneys and de-
PENDANTS went to Judge Dunne's court
and Gator explained the reason for
their presence. Dunno expressed his
surprise, as LawlOr was familiar with
the facts. He asked Assistant District
Attorney Whiting to see Judge Lawlor
and request an explanation. Whiting
returned and informed Dunno that the
case had been assigned to him owing
TO the cOngested state Of Lawlor's cal
endar.
MAKES ANGRY PROTESTS.
Judge Dunno took a recess for a few
minutes and hurried to Judge Lawlor's
court. Taking q seat beside Lawlor,
he was heard TO protest against the
case being assigned TO him. Such ex-
pressions as What do you mean by
it?" 4 won't stand for it." were dis
tinctly heard. You are not treating
me fairly" said Dunno You never
assign a murder case to me, but lot
of paltry cases. and now you want me
10 take a case that you have already
partly heard" Lawlor was heard to
say: I am sorry that you assume such
attitude" and then he took q re-
cess and the two Judges adjourned to
Lawlor's chambers.
When Dunno returned to his court
room he had regained his composure.
He suggested TO Attorney Gator that
he should again go before the pre-
siding Judge. The case is not in my
court" said Dunno, "and I have moth
ing TO do with it."
We are here" replied Gator, "as we
We're informed that the case had been
assigned TO this court. / presume the
only way now is to have another cita-
tion issued and allow this matter TO
drop"
LAS matter Of courtesy to the pre-
siding Judge" said Dunno, 'T would
advise you to see him. I think he will
take the case himself"
LAWIOR REAssIGNs.
The attorneys and defendants wend-
ed their way back to Judge Lawlor's
court.
I have had a conversation with
Judge Dunno" said Lawlor," and he
has explained to me that owing TO his
relations with one Of the defendants he
would be precluded from hearing the
case. I consider his explanation sat
isfactory and will make an order re-
assigning the case TO this court"
After the order was made and the
case entered on the calendar Attorney
Gator said he had several objections
70 offer TO the citation Assistant Dis
trict Attorney Ferral suggested that
as they were trying a case the matter
should go over till another day. The
Judge continued it till this morning.