Cleveland morning leader. [volume] (Cleveland [Ohio]) 1854-1865, 1863-10-26
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The adjourned meeting of the Bar Of
Cleveland, called to consider the propriety Of
requesting Judge COfinbsrry to resign, on
account of his having supported ValIandig
ham after being elected by the Union party,
was held on Saturday, at two O'Clock P. ",
in Court Reom No 2. It was very fully at
tended and great interest was taken in it by
those present.
Judge CrowsII acted as Chairman of the
meeting.
Mr.. StetsOn, Chairman of the Committee
appointed at the first meeting to ascertain
the facts of the case, submitted the following
REPORT;
To the Bar of Ouyahoga County, Ohio:
GENTLEMEN The undersigned Commit
tee, appointed to inquire into and report up
on the conduct of Judge Cofinbery during
the canvass for State officers in the State,
have inquired into the facts, as contemplated
in said reference, and submit the following
REPORT.
The Committee fnd from the evidence be-
fore them that at and prior 10 the nomina-
tion of Judge COfinbery to the Office of Judge
connections with political parties, as the
same existed prior to the war, and to be a
thorough Union man to be in favor of an
unconditional support Of the Government
and of a vigorous prosecution of the war for
the suppression of the rebellion until the
authority of the Government should be re-
established throughout the territory bell 2
ing to the United States.
We find that he received his nomination
for the Office of Judge upon what was under
stood, both by himself and the convention
which nominated him, to be pledge to sup
port all the aforesaid doctrines.
We also find that after h 'snomination, both
before and after his election, he advocated
the same principles extensively through
out the country, and that his election
to the Office Of Judge was obtained
upon the faith that he was a good Union
man, advocating and supporting the princi-
Piles aforesaid. We further find that in the
recent canvass in the State for State officers,
Judge Cofinberryhas virtually repudisted the
principles aforesaid, has openly identified
himself with faction supporting C. L. VAL
landingham for the Office cf Governor of
Ohio, and finally voted for him for said Office.
The committee, disclaiming all right to
call in question the opinions and rights Of
any man, whether in any Office or not, in any
issues on mere matters of party politics, con
slider the questions involved in the late can .
vass as questions of loyalty or disloyalty,
and in their opinion, any mau who has ac-
/ cepted Office upon such professions. and made
such pledges as those made by Judge Coffin
berry, as aforesaid, and while holding such
Office, repudiates his pledges so far as to sup
port for Governor of the State a man openly
| hostile net merely to the administration but
to the Government itself, a man who avoWs
his opposition to the war in any manner, who
advocates 4 withdrawal of our armies from
the field and yielding to rsbels in arms,
man who in fact advocates the utter sub
version of the Government and dismember-
ment of the Union, a moral traitor, is
no longer entitled to the confidence of the
public aud cannot discharge the duties OF a
judge with any benefit to the public interest
or credit to himself.
The Committee would further say
| that they are advised that difference
of opinion exists among the members
of the Bar as to the expediency or propriety
of further action by the Bar in its collective
capacity on this subject, and they would
therefore submit this report on the facts
without recommending any further action on
the part of the Bar, but leaving the whole
matter open for such action as the citizens of
the county may, in their judgment deem ex-
pedient.
All of which is res peotRully submitted, and
the Committee ask to be discharged from fur
ther consideration of the subject.
G. STETsoN,
SAN'L. B. PRESTIss,
R. P. SPAULDING, Committee.
A. 7. SLADE,
LEWIS W. FORD,
The report was accepted and the Commit
tee discharged. Mr. Ststsou then moved
that the report be adopted as the sentiment
of the Bar
Mr.. Wiley then offered the following Res
OIutiOn as a substitute:
WHEREAS, It has always been regarded of
the highest importance to the impsrtia! ad-
ministrAtion of justice that entire indspsnd-
ence between the Bench and the Bar should
be carefully preserved
Therefore, without intending to express
any opinion as to the matter with reference
to which this meeting has been convened.
ResolUed, That for the reason stated we
deem it inexpedient for the Bar, as sush, to
take any further action in the premises.
a somewhat lengthy discussion ensusd on
the question of adopting the substitute.
Mr.. Backus spoke first, asking for testi-
mOny as to what Judge Cofinberry had done,
explaining the intention of Mr.. Willsy's
amendment, and declaring himself in favor
OF it.
S. B. Prentiss, Esq followed. He elaine d
that this question involved not merely Judge
COfinberry's political faith but his personal
integrity. The Judge had ranked himself
with the disloyal men of the country, and
had lost the confidence of the people, and
the Bar had perfect right to ask Judge
COfinborry no longer to retain the office
which no obtained under false pretences.-
He charged that Mr.. C. had become guilty of
moral treason.
Mr.. Backus asked whether the gentleman
madeauy other charges against Judge Cofi-
berry except that he voted for Vauandigham.
Mr.. Prsntiss stated that he did not, but
that vote was in violation of his pledge to the
convention which nominated him.
Mr. L. Prentiss followed, dsmoAstratiug
the trsitorOus views of Vallandigham, and
sHN"AHb eH1s Win AuiA AHV"iouBS tHas NJ
landigham hold these views Judge COf-
fnberry voted for him.
]. NJ. Adams, Esq observed that it was
not necessary to discuss the principles cf
Vallandigham. He held that if a judge had
done a very mean act, the Bar should take
sctiOn. But, as such was not the case, and
as the bar were nearly divided in opinion,
he favored the adoption Of Mr.. Wll!Oy's sub
stitute.
W. s. C. Otis then took the floor and made
a speech Of some leegth. He expressed him