St. Charles City Republican intelligencer. [volume] (St. Charles City [Charles City], Iowa) 1857-1861, 1860-03-08
LEGISLATIVE.

The Assembly ordered third read
ing this morning of a bill to abolish
all laws for the collection of debts by
a vote of sirtyJo' 10 trcn'y-one.
The bill was introduced by Mr.. FL
more, and his speech in support of it
was one Of the richest efforts we ever
listened to. He kept the House con-
vulscd with laughter for about half
an hour. a sketch of his remarks
will be found in our report, but it
gives only faint idea of the origi-
nal.-lladtson WIS., Journai.
From the sketch referred to, we
copy portion of Mr.. Elmorc's humor-
Gus remarks, giving his experience of
the law. No doubt there is much
truth in what Mr. Z. said about the
uncertainties of the Law, and the ex-
penses attending Legislation but for
all that we thinl, it would be q dan
gerOus experiment for Wisconsin to
abolish all laws for the collection of
debts, in the present condition of their
finances and credit. But to Mr.. El-
morc's famous lawsuit
The speaker then proceeded to re-
view the present system of collecting
debts. 1t was all humbug and
cheat, a matter of technicalities and
legal shutlling. Lawyers gave ad-
vice in order to obtain fee and en-.
courage litigation. Judges made blum
ders and mistakes. He had little ex-
pericnce in law, but that little was
rich. Laughter. He would give a
history of it. The speaker then rcla-
ted how he purchased yoke of oxen
about fifteen years ago-paid $50 for
thcm-a few days after the son of the
man Of whom he bought the oxen came
to him and said the oxen were his.
He insisted on having pay over again,
and commenced suit. Suit was com
mcnced before a justice. The jury
didn't agree. Finally, through the
blunders of the bass-wOod Justice of
the Peace, the case went against him.
lie appealed it to the Circuit Court in
Milwaukee. In consequence of an
agreement with the opposite party,
which he kept but which the other man
didm't, he reached Milwaukee Just in
time to find it decided against him
His lawyer, Col. Crockcr, (now pres.
ent, told him he was green to put SC
much confidence in men. His cxpe
ricnce, Col. G. said, was that the great
mass of mankind were liars. Laugh
ter. Well, l went to jim. Holiday
and said, jim, III give you ten dol
lars to go and quote Pennsylvania
law at Judge Miller and get new
trial ordered" Great Laughter.
He took the $40 and performed the
duty.
\ new trial was granted, and the
venue changed to Walworth county.
| went there. | met you, Mr.. Speaker,
for the first time. Judge Irwin was
then the judge. Any man who want
cd to gain case III his court had eth
et to so hunting with him and let the
Judge claim all the game that was
shot, or else pat his dog. Well, |
pattcd the dog. Laughter | fed
that dog with crackers. Renewed
laughter The case was decided in
my favor. When heard the decision,
| thought to myself that that dog had
followed me about long cnough-I
turned round and gave him kick.
Laughter. The yclps of the dog
had hardly subsidized when | heard the
judge say, Mr.. Clerk, this Judgment
is set aside and new trial granted
Great laughter. Mr.. Speaker, that
kick cost me $500! Convulsive
laughter. \ new trial was had II.
\. Wells was his lawyer. He Mr..
Elmore) consented to the admission of
certain evidence in the case, at which
Wells was offended, and jumped up
saying, D-n my SOUL" and walked
off, abandoning the case. Laughter. ]
Well, the jury disagreed this time be-
cause one of them, who was mem
ber of the Baptist church, heard me
use profane language one day.
Laughter.
About this time the State govern
mcnt came into operation. Judge
Wilton was selected in that circuit,
and the case came before him. The
jury again disagreed, standing eleven
in my favor to one against me. The
case was then removed to the Jefler-
son County circuit, and last winter,
gentlemen, | received note from the
clerk of that court, saying that if |
did not attend to it the case would bs
stricken from the record. l suppose
it has been by this time. have made
no further inquiries about it. There
is the history of one lawsuit.