Martinsburg journal. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1920-1977, 1921-04-06
JUDGE BAKER, QUALITIES THIS MORNING FOR
FEDERAL DUTIES AND TAKES SEAT ON BENCH;
nLIQuOR Term" DOCKET STARTED BY GOVT,
William Eli Baker Newly Appointed Just For Northern Dis
trict Sworn In This Morning And Proceeds With Court
Work-"Guiy" Pleas Entered BY Many Defendants.


Judge William Eli Baker. of Elk
ms, was formally sworn in as Judge
of the federal court Of the Northern
District of West Virginia this
morning at 955 in his chambers at
the federal court house and five
minutes later proceeded to take
charge of the court work, adjourn
ing his first session shortly before
noon after a number Of cases in
volyng violations of the prohibition
laws had been retired.
The qualifying formalities were
done in the presence of court
attaches. including District Attor-
ney Walker The oath was admins
tered by Federal Clerk A. r Bar,
rett Judge Baker had previously
verified, by c. aunication with the
Department OF Justice at Washing
ton the propriety of proceeding to
qualify before his recess appoint
ment, made last Saturday. had been
confirmed by the Senate. Advised
to qualify this morning, he imme-
diately retired to his own office and
there repeated the oath and signed
the commission.
Acknowledges Honor.
Judge Baker proceeded immediate
ly to the Bench and. following for
NAL converting Of the Court after
proclamation by f. W. Athey, briefly
acknowledged the assumption of the
honor In few words addressed to
the members of the Bar OF the dis
trict then In Court and to the peo
pie Of West Virginia as whole.
He spoke easily and with evident
feeling He reminded the Court that
he had come to the Bench this
morning without much preparation,
but declared that his guiding rule
in all official acts would be the con.
stitution of the United STATES, and
the oath which he mad just taken,
He said he appreciated the laborious
nature of the office. a nature which
he knew because of his own eXpe.
rience as a nracticing attorney in
state courts. He solicited and add
ed that he lsnaw he would find his
hope realiZei The hearty and help
full co-operation OF the members Of
the Bar who would appear before
the Court, AMI reminded them that
the interest of the Government as
we'll as OF their own clients must
be respected He impressed upon
the twenty-five iurymen who answer
ed to their names this morning the
seriousness of the duties, called
their evident sacrifice in coming a
commitment to their standing In
their own communities, termed them
g mn
reminded them that, regardless o.
their personal wishes. they were
called to protect the interests o.
the people as a whole and must as
sist the Court in bringing violatofs
to Justice. Only in that way, he
added. can the country he made 2
satisfactory place in which to il
Hurries Court Gases.
Judge Baker. advised OF the pre-
Of business before the Court, mos
of which concerns violations of the
prohibition statutes, kept his atten-
ION relentlessly on these cases this
morning and for only a few minutes
allowed his attention 10 be diverted
to civil matters. and then quick
Nv announced that he wanted 10
nush the Government cases along
without delay. Assistant District At,
torney Byrer was In charge oil the
Government cases this morning and.
on the information basis handed
practically a dozen before Court adj
iourned shortly before Il O'Clock.
District Attorney Walker will en-
terrain the executive members o.
tho Court staff at a dinner at his
home. "The Pillars this evening, at
which Judge Baker will be the guest
Of honor.
The new Justice. sitting as presid.
ing judge today for the first time
here, made a favorable impression
upon those who were in Court this
morning, both by his poise in ju,
dicial bearing and his direct control
or the cases. In sentencing prison
ers he frequently lectured the de.
PENDANTS seriously for their acts
all the defendants in cases this
morning either pleading guilty in
person or entering plea through
| their attornes warned them
that they micbt expect severer
treatment for q repetition Of the of
tense. The sentences directed by
Judge BAKER were d4AlOoI N4tIi'Ibt
| exception those recommended by
the district attorney.
Judge Baker came 10 the CITY
last night about midnight, directly
from Elkins. following advice yes
;erday that he was expected to pre-
side at the present term. He was
introduced TO Court attaches and
local attorneys this morning by Dis
.rict Attorney Walker at the Courl
House. Following his qualification
ceremony he was congratulated
kroundly by members Oh t.e staff, all
(of which he acknowledged modest,
".
Get To Work In Hurry.
There was no delay in settling
the Court to work this morning aft.
e. the formal opening exercises, and
,afore adjournment at noon the fol.
owing business had been disposed
pf:
Mrs. Minnie McCaf.erty, Of Graf
ON pleaded guilty to charge of
iolating the prohibition laws. and
n recommendation of Assistant
district Attorney Byrer was fined
10 and costs. Mrs. McCafferty is
n poor health, the Court was told.
ut Mr.. Byrer added that lie would