The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1911-04-14
JUDGE MATHEWS0N'S RIGHT ON
 BENCH IN DOUBT AND ALL HIS DECISIONS SINCE APR. 1 MAY BE VOID

New Haven, April 14-Are the deci- sions of Judge Mathewson since April l legal?
 Can they not be challenged on habeas corpus proceedings?
 Is it not possible for any citizen to get out an injunction against the judge for performing the duties of the office which he holds, some de- clare. as an usurper?
 Can Judge Mathewson legally claim salary for the time he holds over?
 In the event of Mathewson's step ping out can Judge Tyner legally suc- ceed him to office?
 These are the pertinent questions that every citizen of New Haven is asking since the decision of Attorney General Light was made known yes- terday, saying that Judges of the City courts and police courts shall be appointed for a term of two years.
 - There is no provision in the constitution authorizing judges to hold office until their successors are duly elected and appointed. .''
 The decision is sure to raise one or the most interesting legal discussions that has harassed the lawyers of the State in many year.
 Hold Decisions Void.
 Those who agree with Judge Light that Mathewson Is no longer a judge, mold that every legal decision of his Judges judicial actions are invalid, and that habeas corpus proceedings .oan be instituted on behalf of any fprisoner sent to jail since April by tJudge Mathewson. It is argued that the authority of the constitution is Light that, though the charter pro- visions of the city of New Haven may rule that . city court judge hold over until his successor is appointed, the authority of the constitution is final and superior to the city charter.
 Mathewson Against Dow.
 A lawyer of prominence who would !. not allow his name to be used said: Tn view of Judge Lights decision it 1, is the duty of Judge Mathewson to trefrain from holding any further ses- sions of the court He knows from his experience in the case of Mathew son against Dow. and the Attorney Generals ruling that he is holding over illegally. It is not mooted question. It is the express provision ' of the constitution, the supreme law of the State for two years to fill out the unexpir- ! ed term of Judge Bishop, which ended In April 1905. It was provided in the resolution by which he was appoint ed that he should hold office until his successor should be appointed pired in June because he was ap- pointed in June. Judge Mathewson, the incumbent of the present judge ship, who had been appointed by the Legislature. challenged on quo war ranto proceedings maintaining that the constitution stipulated that the judge should hold office for two years from the time Judge Bishops term expired in April. The Supreme court held that, Whenever a statute and the statute is void as against the con- stitution,' and that Judge Dow's term expired in April After April 1 he was no longer judge and Mathew son was legally judge after that time
 Gov. Baldwin Mum.
 Governor Baldwin was asked wheth- CT be concurred with Attorney Gen. eral Light: He said that on account Of his official position it would be impossible for him to express an opinion in the matter.
 It was rumored among the lawyers of the city last evening that habeas corpus proceedings would be very swson to produce the body of young woman admitted to the county jail a short time ago by the judge for theft. This will be made test case to prove the legality of Judge Mathewson's right to hold office.
 A further report was that quo war rsnto proceedings would be brought to remove Mathewson.
 Judge Mathewson Sticks.
 Judge Mathewson stated last night that he did not care to discuss Attor- iney-General Lights opinion. The fol- lowing was as much as he would say: T was appointed judge of the city court and I will hold that office until someone else Is legally appointed and 1 qualified