Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-07
A c AR D..
TOM Y FELLOW CITIZENS OFCLEAR-
FIELD COUNTY.

TOM Y FELLOW CITIZENS OF CLEARS
FIELD COUNTY.
Three years ago, by your almost unani-
nous suffrages, you conferred upon me
the responsible position Of District Altor.
ney Of Clearfeld County, and !or which
favor am grateful TO you. During my
tel m of office, have cndeavored TO dis.
charge the duties OF the position in such a
ma nner as would best conduce to the pub
lie good and the satisfaction Of the Court
am now about to leave the county for a
time, perhaps Cor all time, to rank side
by side with those who are battling for the
maintenance Of the Union and supremacy
Of our flag, but upon the eve of my depar
iure find malicious and contemplate as
sault upon my official course in the col.
umn. OF the Rgttsmans Journal Of the 25th
nit, and repeated in its issue of the I'd
inst. That assault do not believe to be
intended for the public veal, but for the
mere purpose o! eleva,ing to the position
] now occupy, bipartisan candidate.
do not wish to say one word to de-
tract from the reputation Of II. B. Swoope,
Esq. His legal ability, his eloquence, and
his private virtues appreciate as | think
they deserve, but at the same time feel
compelled in vindication of my official
career to introduce lis name in this card
Ny faults and follies in common with all
mankind have. My short comings and
such imperfections as may have in legal
matters are known, and we're known at
the time you cast your votes for me, and
this effort TO stab my private business
reputation, even if intended to continue
among you, by the editor Of a respectable
journal, must necessarily make deep i'm.
preston upon my mind, Ny friends, if
in anything, my conduct has been justly
reprehensible, ! ask Of you to suggest in
my behalf the most palliating crcum.
stances but would ask your indulgence
to examine a brief review Of my record -
You all well know that the criminal cal =
ender OF our county has been mach more
extensive during my term than at any
previous period, Three capital cases, tried
within oae year-a thing unparalleled in
our history. Charges of robbery, forgery,
arson, adultery, rape, dc, were Of frequent
occurrence, and in the trial of some Of those
cases | have been assisted at various
times by various of my b;ethern of tho
bar They being paid for their services BIZ Tie
IproSccutor.) In no single instance has the
county been called upon to pay for assist
ance, except in the aforementioned cari.
tai cases, wherein it was assigned me by
Ills Honor Judge Linn; and you can
readily observe that then needed it, for
In two OF those cases, in addition to other
counsel, was compelled to contend with
the age and experience and superior ability oI
II. b. Swoore, Esq. While in the third
case, in which Mr. Swoope himself was a
pitness, had to encounter j. i. Mem.
ally and VIM. A. Wallace, Esqrs., two OF
the ablest lawyers at our bar.
During my official term, but two casss
h ave been set aside by the Court upon le.
gal exceptions. Ono OF these was the
case Of the Commonwealth ". Jury, in
which Mr.. Swoope ,oas tic paid counsel ot
The prosecutor, and the leading counsel in
the case on behalf of the Commonwealth
and if the prisoner escaped after convic-
ton by the jury, in consequence OF ro
plea having been entered, he is certainly
as much responsible as myself. In the
other case, Mr.. Swoope was also employ
cd to assist me, but will do him the jus
tice to say that | do not believe all the
lawyers in Pennsylvania could have pre-
vented the quashipg of the indictment. as
no offence had been committed according
10 tho ruling Of Judge Linn.
During the term Of my predecessor, Mr..
Mccullough. an indictment against G.
Jeffries Ct al. was quashed. II. B. swoope
was then assistant counsel for the Com
monwealth. He should then have watch,