Ex parte Burdell

32 F. 681

• Court: District Court, E.D. South Carolina
• Decided: October 15, 1887
• Status: Published

Opinion

Simonton, J.

T. S. Burdell is the deputy-clerk of this court. I. S. Simons is chief clerk of the marshal. Each of them was a witness for the government in the case of U. S. v. Hayne, tried at this term. An order has been submitted giving to them, with others, foes of witnesses.

Mr. Burdell was appointed deputy-clerk of the court. He holds his office at ils pleasure. Rev. St. U. S. § 558. He can sign, as clerk, all process issuing from the court. Confiscation Cases, 20 Wall. 92. He takes the same oath of office as the clerk of the court. Section 794. He keeps the journal, swears witnesses, and otherwise conducts himself as clerk. He is included in the list of officers of court who cannot practice as attorney therein. Sections 748, 749. Clearly, he is not entitled to fees as a witness. He is excluded by section 849, being an officer of the court, officiating therein.

Mr. Simons is chief clerk of the marshal, and is also deputy-marshal. He is employed with the other clerks of the marshal in keeping his accounts with the government, and the records of the office. Ilis title, “chief clerk,” is simply the designation given him by the marshal, fixing his relative position in that office. As with all the other clerks in that office, he holds his place at the will of the marshal, was appointed by the marshal, and is paid by him under'a private arrangement with him. These clerks have no claim on the government at all for pay, and look entirely to the marshal. U. S. v. Meigs, 95 U. S. 748. When he selects or dismisses his clerks the marshal neither consults the court, reports his action to the court, nor seeks any confirmation of his action. In no sense, then, are Mr. Simons and his fellow-clerks officers of the court. He is not within section 849, because of the fact that he is chief clerk. He is also deputy-marshal; but he has no reward or emolument differing from those of any other deputy-marshal. He has no duties in and about the court when it is in session. He never comes into or waits on the court. He does not officiate therein. Let him have his fees as a witness.