Thomas Goode Jones
How Judge Jones rules, drawn from 24 signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
Judge Jones no longer hears cases. This profile is preserved as a historical record of how they ruled here.
About Judge Jones
Thomas Goode Jones was a judge of the United States District Court for the Middle District of Alabama. Appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt, Judge Jones received a commission on December 17, 1901. Judge Jones served until death on April 28, 1914.
How Judge Jones decides
Patterns drawn from this judge's own signed orders. Every observation links to the order it came from.
What persuades
In Reynolds, Jones required clear proof that the bankrupt currently possessed property before ordering turnover and considering contempt.
“The order must not be made, unless upon clear and convincing' proof that the bankrupt has the goods or the property in his possession at the time of the making ,of the order and has the ability to comply with it.”
In Julian, Jones held that Alabama could not use a license statute to impair the telegraph company’s existing franchise rights under the federal Constitution.
“The prerogative must be exercised in subordination to the Constitution of the United States”
In the Peonage Cases, Jones held that the challenged labor-contract enforcement imposed coercion amounting to peonage.
“It establishes a system of peonage, and uses the arm of the law to keep persons in ‘a condition of peonage,’”
Procedural preferences
In Billing, Jones dismissed a creditor’s late challenge to a bankruptcy adjudication after the creditor failed to use the prescribed procedure.
“A litigant cannot put a court in error in that way.”
In Moore, Jones distinguished an exemption waiver from a perfected judgment lien and set aside the property as exempt.
“The court must therefore set apart the exemptions to the bankrupt”
In Belt Line Railway, Jones resolved ambiguity about a municipal franchise against the railway company and denied its requested injunction.
“the doubt must be resolved in favor of the city”
Cautions
In Home Discount, Jones found that the company willfully disobeyed the bankruptcy court and directed the penalty at the company rather than its agent.
“Its disobedience was willful.”
In Kessler, Jones sustained the demurrers after concluding the shareholder plaintiffs had delayed despite knowing or having means to learn of the challenged transactions.
“Equity will not allow the former owner, though defrauded in the sale, to lay quietly by, indefinitely”
Signed rulings
A grounded sample of orders signed by this judge, with the verbatim dispositive language.
“There must be a decree discharging the temporary restraining order, denying a preliminary injunction, and dismissing the .bill.”
“The defendant, in deference to the opinion of the court, having pleaded.guilty, is sentenced to pay a fine of $1.”
“doth order and decree that the order made by the referee in this cause on the 25th of January, 1911, requiring the bankrupt to pay over (p his trustee in bankruptcy the sum of $19,772.96 in goods, wares, and merchandise, or in money, be reversed and held for naught”
“the rule upon the bankrupt to show cause why he should not be punished for a failure to comply with the order he discharged.”
“the court has no hesitation in granting their joint request.”
“it will therefore make an order providing for the cancellation of the injunction bonds, the - dismissal of the suits at the complainants’ cost, without prejudice”
“The order of the referee disallowing this claim must he affirmed.”
“The court must therefore set apart the exemptions to the bankrupt, and deny the motion of the creditors to have the property turned over to them.”
“For all these reasons the petition must be dismissed.”
“Let the libel be dismissed.”
“a court which is mindful of its obligation to the Constitution and the sacredness of its oath of office must decline to give the statute any effect and treat it as a nullity.”
Jones gave a written response concerning peonage investigations but entered no disposition against a named party. He concluded that the challenged labor statute “is plainly violative of the thirteenth amendment to the Constitution, and the statute passed, in pursuance thereof, against peonage.”
“a perpetual injunction issue against the enforcement of the statutes complained of”
Caseload & timing
From public federal docket records for this judge.
The located writings span bankruptcy, railroad regulation, corporate and shareholder litigation, injunctions, federal crimes, contempt, peonage, and food regulation. They do not establish the distribution of Jones's full caseload.
A historical record
Judge Jones no longer hears cases. This profile stays available as a record of how they ruled here. If you're preparing for a matter, start from the court's current bench.