Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1865-08-10
JUDGE OK EN-.

sonian we learn that Judge OKEY ''has
forwarded his resignation to the Gov
ernor, 10 take effect on the 1st of Sep
tember;" and in the same connection
we have what seems from its style and
character, to be the valedictory" Of
the Judge, in which he attempts to be
severe upon "PooRMAN" by asser
tions that show him to be
"a greater liur than partlia ever bred "
'+ JOHN W. OKEY may be very smart
man, but nature has failed 10 stamp
upon his outward form any Of the in
dications that lead thinking men to
such Il conclusion. When h. FIRST Wis
tied st. Clairsvillc rs judge, in the
Spring of 1851, his appearance was
anything but prepossessing, and the
controversy that seemed to be going
on between his heels and his knees as
to which should he the termiai of his
pantaloons, was much more marked
aud apparent than any indication Of
capacity for the position he was elect
cd to ill. With tolcrablc memory
and some capacity for imitation, eight
years of contact with the, intelligent
lawyers Of the bar of this Judicial Dis
trif has forced into his Uranium a
reasonable knowledge Of precedents,
Which he quite frequently, however,
--;ES1ignally fails TO properly apply; and
no man has ever held the position of
Judge in this District who enjoyed
less OF the confidence and respect of
the members of the bar than he does.
Politically, Judge OKEY is bitter
partisan. BY false pretenses he sue
cceded in getting himself placed on
both tickets in 1861, rs a no party can
didate, when he knew his unpopularity
was so great in his own County { Mon
roe) that there was little or no hope ol
his election as Democratic candidate
and as soon as elected he took occasion
to use the influence of his position in
favor of the sinking fortunes Of the
Copperhead party, and since then there
has been no more bitter or ,,iscrupu
lous politician in the District thar
Judge OKEY.
In moral point of view, we have
no fears of comparison between the
characters Of Judge OKEY and "PooR
NAM" and the charge that we tool
our "liquor regularly" while in the
army, even If true, comes with very
poor grace from a man whose reputa
ton for liquor drinking and card play
ing is so well known as is that of til;
author of this charge. We would asl
Judge OKEy If his profits from gamb
ling have not been greater during tn,
past ten years than his profits from tn
practice OF lawT What his object wa
In making such frequent visits {,
Wheeling ? and where he usually visit
when at ColumbusY If he will hon
estly answer these questions, the peopl
of this District will have very fai
knowledge of his moral character
As 10 our being the biggest fool i
the District. we would only say that
since the retirement Of Judge OKGI
there may be some chance for compc
tition in that direction; but while h
resided in the District, no man coul
be found with temerity enough TO con
pete with him for that honor; and 0
an evidence Of the high regard in whic
he was held by his neighbors, we woul
simply refor to tue faet that at the tin
of his last clection--whon there WI
no regular candidate against him
was beaten in his own Township by
man who vas neither lawyer nor
candidate, although that Township W
q strspg Democratic Township.
Farewell, Judge! We know you l