Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-03-11
THE PROGRESS OF THE CONSPIRACY.

District, awakens degree of public feeling
such as we have not seen manifested before for
years. This nefariouS attempt exctes the in
dignation of the fair and honorable men of all
parties. Those who have differed with Judge
WnMor politically, nevertheless, repudiate the
attempt to pursue him upon the bench with
personal malice and revenge, and scorn the Sc
cret trickery and plotting, which should for
ever disgrace the conspirators. The unanimi-
ty with which this feeling is shared by our
people, is cheering evidence of the inteli
gence and uprightness of the masses, who,
while they may differ from political oppo-
nent, are not ready to descend to base and
dishonorable acts to crafty personal malignity
1t is the personal and vindictive feelings
which gave origin to this conspiracy-the
secresy and stealthiness with which it was
carried on-the manner in which it was to be
consummated, by striking at the personal
character and official standing Of Judge WILL
MoT-of which we complain, as far as regards
him. Had the conspirators taken fair and
open course, by arraigning him before the
House Of Representatives as deserving i'm
peachmeGt-had that body preferred charges
against him, and presented the case to the
Senate for trial-it would not have been our
disposition or place to have uttered one word
WILMor, as we would have every other man
stand or fall upon his own merits, and if his
Judicial career will not stand the test Of scru-
tiny and investigation, let him be condemned
But this attempt took no such open course.
A memorial was prepared, and stealthily cir
culated for signatures, and when the moment
arrived, the actors started for Harrisburg,
thinking it was not necessary to let their des-
tination or business be known, and expecting
to rush their scheme through the Legislature
before Judge WILMor could learn that his Ju-
dcial integrity or impartiality was called in
question We do not know who among the
conspirators gave circulation to the base SLAM
ders upon Judge WHMor's character it is
sufficient to know that they were part of
the scheme to persuade the Legislature to de-
grade him in the estimation of that part of
the public not conversant With the facts. 1t
was asserted at HarrisburE that he was
grossly partial upon the Bench" &c that no
Democrat could procure tavern license"
with other similar stories, equally false, the in
tention of which was evidently to array par
tizan feeling against him. That these stories
are circulated at Harrisburg is evident from
the fact that some of them have been reiterat-
ed in the newspapers.
Having disclosed the secret plottings of the
conspirators, and fully awakened public atten-
tion to their dishonorable attempt, we shall
not endeavor to refute or answer any of the
slanders which have been propagated. 1t will
afford the people Of this District great salts
faction TO learn that the Senate Committee
has manifested purpose to confront Judge
WI1MoT with his accnsers. The result of an
investigation cannot be doubtful while to de-
! fend him at home would he a work of supe-
rerogation.
Upon the receipt of the notification from
the Senate Committee, Judge WnMor address
ed to each of the gentlemen signing the me-
mortal request that they would inform him
of the specific charges which were to be made
to the Committee, touching his conduct upon
the Bench, in which he had displayed par
tiality or political bias or tyrannical or dis
courteous manner towards counsel, which made
it unpleasant to practice in the Courts of the
County.
Up to the time Of his departure, they had
all failed to inform him of any charges to be
made against him. We hear, however, that
charges have been sent on. If so, those max
ing them have been very careful that Judge
WILMor should not have an opportunity of
disproving them, by keeping him in ignorance
of what allegations Will be made, until he
meets the Committee. This may be "sharp
practice" but is it either manly or honorable?