Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1859-11-09

| Porter, who was compelled TO decline from i'll
health. In the spring of 1855, the Hon. Thos
! ,. Bell, formerly member of the Supreme
Court, was appointed to this vacancy Mr..
| Bell was candidate for nomination in the
Democratic party. Judge Barrett reluctantly
consented to allow his name to go into con-
vention, but was nominated. Know Nothing
ism was then at its hight, and Bell, defeated
in his own, received the nomination of that
party and became Mr.. Barrett's competitor at
the polls. The result showed the election of
Judge Barrett by several thousand majority
over Mr.. Bell.
Judge Barrett is portly, well built and of
commanding appearance has the language,
carriage and manners of a gentleman; his
conversational powers great and he often
draws a rich fund of anecdote with which
he is stored. He has always been connected
with the democratic party has been one of
its warmest champions and on several occa-
sions has been named for office by his poiti-
cal partizans. He has not as much policy a.
bout him political gentlemen generally
have for he stands by his friends and fights his
enemies. There can be doubt of his being
a well read lawyer. His success at the bar
amply testifies that. Whilst in practice, he de-
pended more upon his natural ability than up
on careful and thorough examination of legal
authorities. He was always calm and collec-
rulings of the court, when against him, with
80 much GOODNESS that bystanders imagined
that he was only foiled-not guilty of a faur
pas. His arguments were generally strong
and logical, but at times he could speak long
and loud yet say nothing. When engaged
in criminal causes nos circumstance escaped
him and the lghtest had its weight with the
jury. As Judge we know little of his quail
fications, butsEe would have supposed from
our knowledge of him that he would have OBJ
tanned wherever his lot was cast the encomiums
which he has received in the district where he
presides. Public spirited, liberal and sociable,
he is valuable addition to any community.
An anecdote which has been published else
where is worthy of repetition. y prisoner
who had been convicted of a crime deserving
Of penitentiary punishment was called up for
sentence. Judge Barrett before delivering the,
sentence offered to the unfortunate man some
SOOu ADVICE In reference TO MS future con-
duct; when the prisoner boisterously inter-
rupted him and a dialogue to this purport en-
sued PrisoHer-ssGive me my sentence
that's what l came here for-I want none OF
your sermons" Judge-''The court had con-
cluded to send you to the penitentiary for Is
months, but you have now satisfied that
You should go for three years. Prisoner
"Well, go ahead let me have it L want none
of your cant or talk about ito Then threat
ening violence to the court and officers, he
said, $50 on L want my sentence" Judge
B. coolly remarked, ssWel you have convinc-
ed the court that you are very bad and dan
gerous man and ought TO be confined for five
years. II you have anything more to say. go
on. You may prove to US that we had inten-
ded to be too lenisnt and should lengthcn the
term.'' The prisoner kept silence and was
sentenced for five years. This sentence SEEM
ed to meet with the appreciation of all but one
friend of the prisoner who cnquired of coun-
sci: s:If judge had the right to sentence
man year and half for crime and three
and half years for a wee bit of impudence p
(To BE CONTINUED.)