The San Francisco call., 1905-06-07
DENIES HE CHANGED
PUBL &c RECORD.
Recorder John Black of San Leandro
Indignantly Refutes Charge.
Issues a Statement in Explanation of
Why He Is Attacked

John Black. the aged Judge of the Re
corder's Court in san Leandro. comes
forward with statement denying that
he has in any way subverted justice.
The Judge was accused by man named
Rawson, with whom he has hod long
standing feud. with having changed or
substituted a public record. The last
turn of events in the quarrel has
brought forth an original and unique
statement from Judge Black. 1T Is as
follows:
Now comes John Black and emphatically de-
MES each and every allegation in the charges
made against him by said Rawson, that he all
tered changed or substituted in his court or
elsewhere, a public record, and asserts that
in a mean, contemplate brain. / am greatly
surprised that a Judge of the Superior Court
Of Alameda County should be so far infiu-
enced by an ex parte statement from any man.
and, TO give 1t sufficient consideration, to tell
me in his court, you ought to be glad OF an
opportunity to explain charge which II true
will land you in States prison., and that
charge not in writing under oath. The
Judges remark was uncalled for and unjust
sons plug hat or pretty mustache. There is
nothing suspicious about my whole connec-
tion with those cases in any part
THE EXPLANATION.
The bill of sale for the wagons and chains
sold by the constable to Schmidt. under three
executions issued out of my court, was prl-
vate paper between the officer and Schmidt
and never formed any part of the record in
any court or any exhibit in any proceeding.
hence the officer could change Ii by inserting
'and chains" which had been omitted, to
make 1t conform to facts and speak the truth.
As to the returns by said officer on the exc
cutions, asked said officer to make proper
amended return Of the executions by stating
what property OF the defendant was sold,
when, where, how sold. to whom. how much
was received in gold coin. Not being ia
Hiliar with formulating such return he re-
cfa ma xyrffn fnr I'm ON
day Of August, 1904. He dated it and signed
ii. and l fled it for record on the same date.
since which date / never saw 1t again until
had IL shown to me in court. That is the
paper am charged with having substituted.
Those not knowing the circumstances OF
these cases. reading the daily papers where
these reports have appeared from time to
time, will naturally infer that where there
Is much smoke there must be some fire.
of any wrong intent, although some years
ago this same enemy instigated and prose-
charge OF battery, said to have been by me
committed upon man. and Of which was
entirely innocent: For this spite work the
money in fees to Constable Gallet for sub
penas for twenty-four persons summoned to
break down my testimony. Few. however.
paid any attention and took the chance of
being fined for contempt of court In not obey
ing the subpoena The constable got his fees.
PURGED BY JURY.
Rawson ran away. back to San Leandro,
for the people of the State of California at
Haywards The jury was the sole selection
of the speople and found the defendant not
gujlty,,'a and added. in its verdict. "if you
ever have such silly case again please keep
ii in San Leandro'' So far l have paid no
attention to this man or his insults. in or
out of my court except about three years ago
when he attacked with heavy cane and
struck me on my head. In self-defense /
smote him on his 4cocoanut head and dropped
him at my feet. spilling some of his ugly
blood.
An thie is dona for M good purpose on
/ his part but from malicious vexatious mo-
/ tive TO cause me to resign or hold me up to
public ridicue and contempt. or have me
otherwise removed from office. l have no
fear of him in any way except his pistol; II
the Judges wish to take him under their
wings or the District Attorneys office in
partnership L sure they are welcome.
am tired and weary and viii pay no further
attention to a thing beneath my notice any
more than / am compelled to and / am writ
ing this to the public in self-defense.
JOHN BLACK,
Judge OF the Recorders Court in and for the
City of San Leandro, CAL
Dated this 9Th day OF June. 1905.