Bradford reporter. [volume] (Towanda, Pa.) 1844-1884, 1858-04-22

OF this underlined nature, otherwise than by o
direct denial which | here affirming
that the charge is false, and that my conduct,
in all respects, has been such as became man
of prObity and honor.
Again, it is charged that | resigned my of
fee, and became a candidate for another of
fee, and when defeated accepted a new COM
mission as Judge Here, again political of
fence is charged, and the Legislature is asked
to become tribunal for its trial and punish
ment. Do transcend the limits of respectful
address, when | characterize this as a novel
Impeachment of high officer of State? as an
attempt to use the Legislative power, for the
punishment Of political offences if not direct
ly, by deposing from Office, yet indirectly, by
declaring that the functiOnary charged with
those orenses is unworthy to hold Office ; and
to make sure against the possibility of his do
ing so, two counties with ninety thousand Of
! population are to be disfranchsed.
The other printed paper laid before this
| Committee on the 18th instant, is in the form
of a memorial addressed to the Legislature,
and purports to be signed by some thirty of
the citizens of Bradford county, and which
contains 10 charges, except of a political ma
ture, and those of the most general and unde
! fined character
Again, am constrained to protest against
both the nature and form of accusation. If
the holding of certain political opinions, and Ia
boring to sustain them, is 4 crime in PennSy-
yania, triable before the Legislature, and pun
iShabe with disqualification for Office, | entreat
that | may at least be informed who are my
accuSers and that they be required to set
forth their accusations with particularly Of
time, place, and overt acts. How am | to
meet charges such as are set forth in the
printed paper alluded to? Would charges of
this character against public officer be ell
tertained before any tribunal in a country of
law, and where the rights of character and
Of good reputation are held in respect and
esteem Yet it is upon such charges, unsus-
tanned by proof, and not even made in re-
| spOnsible shape, that | am called upon to
answer ! respectfully submit if this be not
palpable evasion of the action taken by this
Committee in the order that cOmplainants
be requested to put charges definitely in
writing"
This proceeding humbly submit is a matter
Of grave and serious import. 1t IS the first
time in our history that citizen and public
officer has been brought to the bar of any tri-
bunal on a charge of political offences True
it is that the Bill before you only proposes a
change in certain Judicial Districts by which
the district over which preside is bIotted out
but this Committee understand, and it will be
understood by the people Of this Common
wealth, that the only ground Oh wnlch this
measure is based, is the political unworthncSs
Of the Presiding Judge. This proceeding Is
neither more nor less than al enquiry, through
a Legislative Committee into the character
and fitness of myself for the Judicial Office In
this light it was properly viewed by this Com
mittce, when the order was taken that com
, DlainantS be requested to put charges definitely
in writing" and that notice be given to me.
In this light desire to treat it, and am iuStih-
ed in so doing by the order of this Committee.
| | here and now ask of my accuSerS, if any
there be- to bring accusations against me, that
they specify in writing any matter or thing,
great or small, wherein | have made the least
departure from the line Of rectitude, in the
: discharge of my official duties.
| hold high aud delicate Office a trust as
| sacred as can be committed to the hands of
t man. For the faithful discharge of its duties
| am responsible to God, and the State whose
, commission bear While | invoke the mcr-
ciful Judgment of Heaven, | call upon my ac-
cusers to specify the act, wherein for any cause
whatever, have turned to the right or to the
r left in the administration Of the duties of my
t Office | appeal to the records of six years
: Judicial service with confidence that knows
: no fear, and that invites the closest scrutiny
; and investigation. Let the charges against
me be defined. and abide with mistaken con
: fdence the record and the testimony. What
| innocent man ever fell under the condemnation
t of nv sentence What scheme of injustice
S and fraud ever obtained judicial sanction in
r my Courts ? When did honesty ever depart
| the Judgment seat without its full measure of
: right, if were in my power to grant it ?
' Where have ! oppressed the poor, or given to
4 the rich undue advantage Who is the
: friend that | have favored, or the enemy that
, | have wronred? VIII my accuSerS answer
r Or is the present deemed a favorable op-
portunitv for personal dislike to retaliatc on me
/ for real or imaginary injuries Or can it be
that the humble part | have acted in public
D affairs, is deemed worthy of ignomiuy and
s bonds This cannot believe There is depth
of bitterness and intClerence where no rights
are secure against power, to which trust we
} have not, as a people, descended. L leel a
, strong assurance that neither the Committee
/ nor the honorable Body whose organ tits, will
t condemn me without clear proof OF matters dl-
rectly impeachng my official conduct that
i the Legislative power of great State cannot
be used for purposes merely personal towards
? myself and that no private dislike can be
here dignifed into question CT public con
Germ.
r To return to the printed memorial laid be
J., fore the Committee on the 18th inst, in which
f it is said by the thirty memorialists " that
e we fully specify that Judge WuMor is in the
Y constant habit of making violent poltfca
e speeches in his Court House during the weeks
of his Court"
t Waving the question of thus impeaching
# and trying Judge for political offences, res