The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1912-07-31

Mayor y. c. Richardson was yes-
terday morning appointed by Cow
ernor Mann judge OF the HustinxA|
court to succeed the late Judge
Samuel b. Witt and will accept.
. When the announcement war
made by the governor that he would
name Mayor Richardson for the
vacancy caused by the death OF
Judge Witt the members OF the city
bar, who for quarter of century
have been accustomed to control |
practically the appointments TO the
bench. were thrown into a furry.
and a number of them immediately
met to devise means to circumyent
the governor and to put him IN such
position that in the future In
would show them more considerA~
ton In making his appointments.
Informal meetings were held, N
petition was drawn up to be cir-
culated and visits were made to |
Mayor Richardson's office in a vain
attempt to induce him to decline the
appointment. the pressure brought1
upon the appointee being as great - |
possible within the limited time.
The lawyers were divided amon9I
themselves. however, and while
Mayor Richardson listened to those
who wished him to help them pre-
serve what they have come to regard
as their rights, he declined to bel
moved by them.
Mayor Richardson Accepts.
Last night he gave out formal
statement to the press to the effect
that he viii accept the appointments
His statement follows:
The governor. through mutual
friend. informed me that he would
appoint ME as judge of the HuatM
ings court II | would accept tnQ
position. | replied, through thu
same source. that | would. He haoIs
not vet officially appointed me, but
should he do so I will accept. Thi4
afternoon Ave gentlemen, members
! OF the Richmond bar, came to res, ~
and stated that they did not thinN
that l should accept under the ca1
cumstances. Since that time mof@
than five times that number Of mon
bers Of the Richmond bar have ro
Quested me to accept the positao1
and hundreds Of citizens Of Ricn
mond, by telephone. by letter -
personally have requested me to a
cept the position. think 1t II RI
duty to the governor and the pe0pa
OF Richmond to accept the position&
and will do So"
So ends another trial OF strenee
between Governor Mann and tho0
who believe he should abide BY t
customs OF years and follow the x(
concentrations OF the city bar
making his appointments to
bench. u
Governor Is Firm. gs9
When seen last night 0ovef1f1
Mann stated that the objection oIS
number OF members of the Har
ISOLATION would not affect his decanf
TO name Mayor Richardson. In 81
language he threw down the 8Aum3(
and expressed his right to name W1h1
he chose.
II have notified Mayor Richar9
that | will appoint him Judge OGA
Hastings court to succeed the
Judge Samuel II. Witt. he said.
am going to do IL l was u
governor OF Virginia, and inteu1
governor until the end Of my 41
The governor was apparentlt
very good humor when seen laS&
and not at all ruffied By the ~
the strenuous objections being
to his course by members of tk6
When news Of the appointm1
Mayor Richardson to tho ju6G
became. known yesterday No.
prominent members OF the haRS
to bestir themselves. They tNfE
they had not been courteOuaky
and that their time-honOred m
tives had been encroached w1156
the governor In not firat w1trI
the Bar association to make
mendations. gS8
Lawyers Held I1aeei
| An Informal mestine 49,