The daily exchange. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1858-1861, 1859-12-13

We present below memorial, which is now in
circulation among our citizens, for signature. We
regard it clear, forcible, and, in view of the
subject-matter an extremely moderate statement
of the grievances imposed on the people of Balti-
more by the present Criminal Judge We have
already too freely expressed our sentiments on
this point 10 render what we now say matter
of surprise to any one of our readers. Judge
STUMP should be removed from Office, the first
week of the session, by unanimous vote, and
such an act would come with peculiar grace and
fitness from body composed of a majority of
Democrats, since it is to the Democratic party, the
people of this city are indebted for the incubus
which has had so powerful an influence in paralyz-
ing the arm of Justice here. In only one thing
do we dissent from the language of the memo
rial-which is, where its intention seems to be
to relieve the Grand Juries of blame for not in
dieting the Judge of the Criminal Court. 1t was
their boHnden duty TO do SO, regardless of con-
sequences; and if Judge STUMP had had the indie
cency-as was, we admit, altogether probable--to
interpose obstacles to his own trial. it would only
have afforded another, and, perhaps, the most
conclusive evidence of his unftness for his post
But the matter should now go before the Legis-
lature, and it is every mans duty promptly to
affix his signature to the petition.
To the Honorable,
The General Assembly of Maryland:
The memorial of the Undersigned citizens of Baltimore
humbly represents:
That by the Constitution of this State all Jurisdiction
for the punishment of crime in this city is vested in the
Criminal Court whereof the Hon. Henry Stump Judge
and that by the provisions Of the Constitution he and
the other Judges of the various Courts removable for
Court
Governor, upon the address Of the General Assembly,
provided that twothirds of the members each House
shall concur in such address.
1t is with profound sorrow and humiliation and only
in obedience TO public duty that your memori
aliss approach your Honorable Body with request that
you will be pleased to exercise your constitutional power
and address His EXcellency the Governor, with view to
the removal of Judge Stump 1t have escaped the
attention your Honorable Bodies that for several years
past every species of crime has increased in the city of
Baltimore to an extent which threatens TO throw
cial order and to compel society for its preservation,
to resort to those extraordinary and irregular
of relief which themselves the evidences of public
despair and wretchedness
Your memoriasts are far from attributng the whole
of these deporabe consequences to the inefficient manner
in which Judge Stump has discharged the functions
his office.
But your memoraliss insist that the said Henry Stump
has been guilty of such msbehavior in Office that he is
addicted to the habitual of ardent sprts-that his
demeanor upon the Bench is undignfed and vulgar
that his adjournments of the Court frequent long
and unnecessaryand his nattenton to business
atious and destructive of the public intereshat his
Court has ceased to be what designed be by the
Constitutional protection to the citizens of Baltimore
against violence rufianism and crime In consequence
of these and other official denquencie offenders against
the law emboldened to constant repettion of their
crimes-the most notorious outlaws, although in
dicted go unpunishedthe dockets of the Court grow
larger from term to termhe most triing punishments
are awarded to the graves oences-the dignity which
ought to belong to Court of Justice is utterly lost and
prostituted and the law, itself, instead of being
terror to evdoers has fallen into contempt and treated
with derson by the most depraved and abandoned Of the
community.
Your memoriasts beg leave further to represent that
he w nth do of T,Ifra
conviction in a Court of LAWS practically denied
them, inasmuch as the Criminal Court in which Judge
Stump himself presdes, is the only Court in which
prosecution against him for misbehavor in Office
originate.
Your memoralists turn therefore, with confidence to
Honorable Body and pray that you WILL without de-
lay, deliver the metropolis of your State from the ntoler
able evil of an inefficient and depraved Court and afford
the Governor opportunity of appointing Judge who
will establish his supremacy violence crime and
visit the just penalties of the law upon doers. And
they will ever pray, &C.