The Washington times., 1911-12-13
COMMON SENSE TO
GUIDE OXON HILLS
BLACKSMITH JUDGE
Mcdaniel Tries His First
Case by Side of Forge
at 8 A. M.

Benson Perrte Mcdaniel, the bla,k-
smith Justice Of Oxon IIill district,
Prince George county, Md, has held
his first session Of court. The city
court room atmosphere was notlccably
absent. No dais supported a Judges
comfortable chair, no contentious coun-
Sci interrupted the proceedings, none Of
tho Judicial trappings of the city court
OF Justice were In evidence. Instead,
Justice Mcdaniel. aroused from his
siumbers at a. m, robed himself, took
q Ferosene lamp from hts house went
Gown to the blacksmith shop in Liv-
tngston road, and faced Constable
Maurice Payne and party OF four
frightened Washington huntsmen. Their
night revels had brought the county
otncSrs upon them, and by the flicker.
;,hhe lamp lam they were placed On trial at
Justce Mcdaniel heard the testimony
pa.itsntly and imposed fine of S. and
Hsts on each Washingtonian. They
ma nad gone to tho county in a large
wagon, and three OF them succeeded in
escaping from Constable Payne. The
neighborhood was aroused by the bang
ing OF their guns. The wagon WAS held
outside the shop while the trial went on.
Felt Sorry For Them.
Indeed, felt sorry for these men,"
said Justice Mcdaniel today, when seen
In his shop. Among them was a lame
man, who cried bitterly during the trial
They made q plea for mercy, and i'm
posed the lowest fine. They then discov-
cred that there was not sufficient money
in their possession to pay the fines, 80
permitted one of them to go In search
siency. aceompsanied ss Ats By up constable as sfn
Payne. He succeeded in procuring some
funds In Congress Heights. and after
ne returned. they were all released.
all. These men are all employed in a
big plant in the city, and to reveal their
Identity would damage them with their
employer"
The blacksmith justice was born in
Charles county, Nd, where he went to
the public schools. He has lived with
g. 8. Adams, his brother-in-law, in
been keeping blacksmith shop and
working for number Of years. He has
two assistants in the shop. The shop,
which will be the scene of all Oxon
an1a MiIrs trials for at least two years to
pertaining to the profession Of law has
place there, Notwithstanding that Jus
tice Mcdaniel has made 1t his court
room. -
.,"I have no law books" said the jus-
tice. nor DO intend to study law. Be-
fore taking this position inquired Of
an old magistrate Just what I would
he expected to know as justice of the
l'eace. He told me that It was not
necessary to know anything. Then. I
Mcdaniel added that ne did not know
s RE MSsf se Ss i kaox fT III SsSe
to hire lawyer or appeal to the magis-
trate in the next district" he said, la
conically. IF they don't like my de-
cisi9ns. they can appeal he added.
To Use Common Sense Basis.
The new magistrate made itNplain that
he intends to interpret the laws on the
basis Of common sense. There will be
none of the laws delays in Oxon Hill
dictrict. he has assured tho community,
and he is ready at any hour of the day
or night to try cases in his shop.
Rather than keep the Washington
huntsmen IN duress. he arose at 3
o'clock and disposed of their cases.
The new appointee Is the first magis-
trate in Oxon Hill district In ten years
or more. Big and popular, he Is al
ready looked upon as splendid expo
nent Of the strong arm of the law. He
Is a member OF Anacostia Lodge, No.
q, F. A. A. M, and Anacostia Chapter.
thirty-two years old.
stock of 200 blank warrants, sum-
mons, and legal documents comprises
his supply of official papers, A book
Of the Maryland statutes Is also kept
Governor Crothers Of Maryland made
Washington business man. man, SHs had urged d
Mcdaniel to serve as the justice in
OxOn Hill district