The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1913-05-21
JUDGE MONROE
PRESIDED OVER
RECORD COURT
HELD FIRST sEssIoNsYEsTERDAY
MORNING, WHEN LARGE NUM-
Der OF DEFENDANTS PLEADED
GUILTY TO GAMBLING.

Presenting his commission signed by
the governor and saying that he would
carry out many Of the policies of his
predecessors, Judge Kirke Monroe took
his seat yesterday morning and pre-
sided over the court Of record for the
first time.
Court was convened at 10 o'clock
with Judge e. D. Beggs presiding, but
in a few minutes after he called the
court to order the retiring judge open
ed the ceremonies which marked his
retirement after serving ten years as
Judge of the court, his term expiring
at midnight Monday Judge Beggs
thanked the court officials for the
kindnesses and courtesies shown him
during his association with them, and
that he had at all times endeavored to
perfor minis duty to the best OF his
ability
Complementing Judge Beggs upon
the manner in which he had conducted
the important ONCE which he was
leaving, County Solicitor Scott NJ.
Ioftin replied on behalf of the Off
cials of the court. Solicitor Loftin
said that he and the other court off,
Gals had the highest regard for Judge
Beggs and regretted that the time had
come for their relations to be severed.
Before proceeding with the business
of the court, Judge Monroe said that
he realized the responsibility resting
upon him and that he intended to do
all he could to fill the position with
credit and in such a manner that the
people who elected him would never
regret having done so. He said that
he hoped he would not be hampered
by the court officials or others In car
rying out some of the policies of his
predecessor. He asked the court of
administration of his Office, SO that
at the end Of his term he might be
able to say, like Judge Beggs, that
their relations had been pleasant.
Quite a number of citizens were
present, the reason for their presence
being that they were personal friends
of the new and retiring judges. Judge
Monroe's desk contained q large num-
Der of bouquets, which were sent him
rs token of esteem and well wishes.
His First Sentence.
The first defendants to appear be-
fore Judge Monroe were negroes, all
charged with gambling. They pleaded
guilty and were sentenced as follows:
Jacob Anderson, Jonas Sellars, Sarah
and Lloyd Jones. $40 and costs or As
days.
VIM. Churchwell, Doc Simmons, EN-
ma Harris and Loveless Jones, all
charged with gambling, fined costs of
court or 20 days each, further sentence
being suspended.
Ernest Barnett, negro, petit larceny,
fined SO and costs or As days. Bar
nett was arrested on the charge of
stealing junk from Dave Levi, a junk
dealer.
Jury Trials.
Sam Hawkins, Will Evans Lee
Thomas, John Smith, Luke Lott and
Hill Bowers, all negroes. charged with
gambling, were tried by jury, found
guilty and each sentenced to pay a
fine of SIS and costs or so days
Eleven Pleaded Guilty.
- %nII I@%~ Ill
groes charged with gambling, pleaded
guilty. but have not yet been SEN
fenced: Fred Mcdonald, John wilkin-
son, Mott Roland Will Wright, Josh
Hinton, Silas Williams, Ozzie Groom,
Lige Robinson, Green Murray, John
Holmes and Will Robinson.
Court adjourned until 10 o'clock this
morning.