Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [W. Va.]) 1852-1859, 1854-04-17
al WISCONSIN Jndga

We find in the last Law Reporter, detailed state
ment OF the Impeachment by the Assembly, of
Levi Hubbell, Judge Of the ID Judicial Circuitof
Wisconsin. He was tried before the Senate in June
last on sundry charges such "receiving bribes''
"deciding cases in which he had been counsel"
following parties to suits TO consult with him
about them" bleeding cases in which he was
personally interested" ttthe willful and arbitrary
sentencing criminals to punishment not prescribed
by law" "using money paid into court" and
sundry other like charges. Certainly very serious
looking case. witness testified that the Judge
when approached by him, told him that he was
prepared to decide case in which witness and
others were interested, and should decide it in his
favor, $4,000 case. The Judge then borrowed
1 oil the witness $780, and said he would pay it in
short time. The Judge subsequently offered to
pay the money but witness declined, and ''said
something from which the Judge might infer he
intended it as gft.' He declined taking it as SUCH
subsequently he gave witness note for it payable
on demand and after the move was made about the
impeachment, sent for witness ami paid him off.
Witness left the room and Intentionally left The
money on the chair, but does not think that tie
Judge knew that he was going SO to leave it.
Tne money however does not appear again, and
z the question is who has it. Witness had long
before charged it to expense account of the suit,
but thinks he did the Judge injustice by leaving
the money. We wonder If he did not DO him.
self injustice after witness left This witness is
evidently very reluctant one fer the proSecu-
ton. a lawyer named Smith (of course) is brought
to the stand and among other things says "When
. 1 went TO see Judge Hubbell he was shut up in
his Office, writing out some decision suppose.
1pounded away al the door below for some time.
He told me that could not get in, told him /
should, MS had matter of business that must
be attended 10 Immediately" a lady was then
called 10 the stand who amused the audience
considerably. The evidence taken amounts to
six hundred pages or more.
In the argument of the cause The counsel OF
Judge Hubbell charged that such of his conduct
in evidence as appeared too free, &C., was the
cessnry and legitimate consequence OF an elective
Judiciary, as the people would assume the right,
and exercise it, of speaking with their Judge IA
military about their matters in Court. While il is
true that the elective system produces greater
degree of familiarity between the Judge and the
people, yet an upright Judge knows how and when
to prevent improper familiarity. judge H. was
acquitted, but upon the charge of acting as Judge
where he had been counsel, the Senate was equal
lY divided. On the "bribe charge'' the vote was
ten against him and fourteen for him. We give
this case merely to let our readers know how
"handy and convenient the Judiciary (Which
saouid be above suspicionl appear be in the far
North West. Not long ago the bar in some county
signed a paper requesting Judge 'snever to hold
another court in their county," He deliberately
told them that he would take time to consider
The grand jury preferred similar request and then
the Judge condtionaIly promised that he would
not. If these things be common 'justice will be
- bought and sold" despite the ancient opinion 10
the contrary.