The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1859-08-03

we cannot say, as there were several present
admirably qualified by "taste, habit and con-
sttutional popularity for the performance
Of the deed.
There was not Poil-book in the whole
State which bore more ample evidences OF
legality in every particular than that OF the
kanesvillc Precinct. The Precinct was or
ganixed in strict accordance with the law, at
the desire of Locofoco candidate IN Monroe
county, and by the Locofoco Commissioners,
and the return was duly endorsed by the elec-
ton officers while all that the Clerk had to
set up, against these ample, official and con-
elusive evidences Of legality, was the simple
assertion of Hall that kanesvile was not d.
rectly west of Monroe county, and therefore
the Commissioners had no right to organize a
Precinct as they had done.
This oll-book was returned and deposited
In the Office of the Commissioners CLERK,
where the law required it to be deposited, and
where it became part and parcel Of the oihciai
records of the court as fully and entirely as
any other Poll-book of the county. And yet
the late Chief Justice Mason tells us IT was
an "estrayo in this legal official depository:
that it was all right and proper for any per-
son to carry it OF and do with it as seemed to
him expedient. The intense absurdity of this
position is only equalled by the ridiculous
assumption Of dignity with which it is put
forth. And the contempt which it excites in
legal mind, is only exceeded by the abhor-
renee with which it is received by honest men
Of plain common sense.
If there was no Improperly in thus taking
possession Of the Poll book, why has it been
so studously concealed2 And why, upon
q al bah nc Is &c IND
Mason, did it cover him with shame and con :
fusion, and induce the stammering, depreca-
tory apology that he had come BY it honest
ly Men Of common honesty and comm on
sense will require no argument upon this
point.
We are all agreed, except you, Judge, in
the character Of this transaction; the entire
people of Iowa and Of the Union look upon i,
as q most infamous attempt to rob the peo-
| pie of their votes by stealing the Poll-book
which contained the official return Of the
election. The principle of the law of sses
trays" has no application to Poll-books alb
stracted from the office of the Commission.
1 er's Clerk. where the law and the oaths oil
the Judges of election require them to be de-
posted.
The only debateable point is in regard to
the character of your own participation in the
transaction. We should have been pleased
could you have cleared your skirts. We
know that you are not shy constitutional pc
culiarity" a bold bad man, and we dislike to
see you used to sustain and advance the reck.
less politicians who would subvert every safe.
guard of law and liberty and trample under
| foot every sentiment of virtue to secure their
own advancement.
! By such men you are employed, with or
without pay, to pervert the sense of RICH.
and Justice in the public mind, and to defend
and sustain men who have been guilty OF
stealing the Poll-book. Will the public JUS
tify you in this course? Is it right for you,
even as the attorney of Thompson, to hold
this public record in concealment in your own
hands? Would you be justified in thus act.
ing in reference to the records of the courts
in which you practice? Gould you from
''taste or habit" stand up before the court
with record of that court in your pocket
and strive to deprive men of the rights which
they held by virtue Of that record? Would
your s'tasteo incline you to take as your fee
a portion of the money known TO you to be
stolen by your client, and then contend tina,
be did not steal it?
Il If your "tastes and habitsn incline you tc
such course, we trust that no such s.consti.
:utional peculiarityo may creep into the new
code which you are assisting to frame.
"The Register will pursue the coursl
, marked out for itself" exposing rascality tt
public condemnation, despite the assaults OIL
the knavcs and dastards who writhe beneath
it's lash, or the dignifed sneers Of those who
claim the exercise Of gentlemanly courtesy
while engaged in transactions which bring
the blush of shame or the glow of indigna
ton TO every cheek, not hardened by iDdul
gence in vice and crime.
,