The log cabin Democrat. [volume] (Conway, Ark.) 1908-current, 1916-01-11

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NOON SHERIFF W. w. BISHOP
ANNOUNCED THAT JUDGE
TkIMBLE HAD ADVISED OVER
THE TELEPHONE THAT COURT
lBE ADJOURNED UNTIL JULY
AND HAD DISMISSED THE JU-
RIES AND WITNESSES FROM
SERVICE UNTIL THE NEXT
REGULAR TERM.
Probably the most sensational cpl
codo in the history Of the Faulkner
circuit court occurred this morning,
when Circuit Clerk A. NJ. Ledbetter
declared that George Shaw, a Con-
way attorney elected by the bar to
serve as special judge during the
absence Of Judge T. c. Trimble, did
not possess the moral qualifications
required by the state constitution for
! & circuit Judge land refused to recog-
rize his election or administer the
cath CT office to him.
, AS result the court has not yet
been formally convened and at 8
o'clock this afternoon the general
opinion was that the session would
lapse and the entire proceedings go
over until the next term
On account of illness the regular
Judge, Thomas C. Trimble of Lonoke,
failed to appear yesterday, and as is
provided by law, the court was ad-
iourned for one day. The statutes
provide that in the absence of the
! regular judge, the regular practicing
attorneys in attendance upon the
court shall elect a special judge, and
the person receiving the highest num-
ber Of votes shall preside over the
court. AT 10 o'clock this morning
the bar met for the election, which
was held by Clerk Ledbetter. Twen-
ty-two ballots were cast, of which
Mr.. Shaw received II, Judge E. M.
Merrinan seven, with four scattering
votes.
Amid q profound silence Clerk
Ledbetter read section 16 of article
7 of the constitution of Arkansas,
prescribing the qualifications of cir
Icuit judges, as to their age, length of
practice, residence in the state, etc,
one of the qualifications being that
the judge shall be "of good moral
character Under the last named
clause Mr.. Ledbetter declared that
Mr.. Shaw was not qualified and said
that he would refuse to recognize his
election, administer the oath to him
or surrender to him the dockets of
the court. The clerk left the room
and said that if the attorneys de-
sired his services further they would
fad him in the recorders office.
The attorneys withdrew immediate
ly for a caucus in executive session,
which continued throughout the
morning. Clerk Ledbetter was sent
for and asked to recede from his po-
sition, but he politely but firm
ly declined to withdraw his objec-
tions. "You may remove me from
Office or you may put me in Jail, >
Mr. Ledbetter is said to have de-
clared, "but l will not recognize the
man you have elected as circuit
judge"
Mr.. Shaw is equally as firm in his
position, and positively refused to
withdraw or resign. He takes the
position that he had been legally
elected as special judge and will serve
Il any court is held.
Communication was had by one of
the local attorneys this afternoon
with Judge Trimble, but he stated
that it would be impossible for him to
attend, as his physician had warned
him it would probably cost his life
should he attempt to hold court in the
present state of his health.
1t was generally conceded this af-
ternoon that there will be no Janu-
airy term of the court. The statutes
provide that if any court shall be
held on the first day, it shall stand
ladjourned from day to day until the
evening of the third day and if at
that time the court shall not be open
ed, such court shall stand adjourned
until the next regular term, and all
cases, civil, penal and criminal shall
stand adjourned over until the next
day of such court. 1t is made the
duty of the clerk to enter continu
ance on the docket of all cases, under
such circumstances.
The question is one as to which all