Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1872-09-04
ITO THE PUBLIC.

Through the columns of the two papers pub.
lishcd in this city-the Gazette and the Scnti
nel-y0u have learned that have been rclnoy
ed from the clcrk>hip Of the County Court Of
Alexandria county, by an order entered on Tn.
minutes of the Court by the Judge thereof. on
Monday, September ,, lS72. Although the
papers have given the report Of the proceedings.
yet the public have neither learned all the facts
nor the animus that entered into the who.r
transaction. By your kind indulgence | will
state in a fair and candid manner ali that has
been done, and appeal to those present to say
whether | have not done SO. Since his honor
has gone back to the time when first entered
the clerk 5 office, shall have to attend him.
But as step further, bark to my qualification.
will give still more light by which the action Of!
the Court was governed on Monday may be in.
tcrprctcd, will hastily sketch my efforts to b..
sworn into office 1t is said that straw- show
the direction FROM which the wind blows, 50.
perhaps, will actions show what the feelings
are. On the 10Th day OF December, 1870 in
company with my bondsmen, went to judge
Cockerlile's residence, between five and seven
miles beyond Fairfax Court House to qualify
aud give bond for the performance of my duty
as the clerk elect Tor the said Court, but he was
not to be found. We started again on the
Wednesday following; had everything ready
except that | had not prepared a bond. We
found Mr. Cockerllle at home, but as had no
prH,tni form Of bond he refused to qualify
me- | offered to prepare bond, but he would
not permit me to do so. | suggested that, it
being long distance to come for nothing. and
he having the law before him, it would accom-
MEDIATE me very much to be allowed to prepare
the bond, to which he replied that, 1T can BE-
done here, you must bring them with You
Thus We were Obliged to return to Alexandria
for the mere purpose OF preparing bond.
which, however, Was ut last prepared ami
executed 10 Judge Thomas office on the Fri.
day following, at Fairfax Court House, the
penalty being fixed at ten MouStlnd ooilu,Y, al
amount which had never been required OF any
other clerk Of said Court. | now come 10 th,
assumption OF my duties on the second day OF
January, 1871, but the scenes Of the Court
room that day, are perhaps, 10 well remember
cd, to need repetition here Without an hours
time to look through the office, Or become, III
the smallest degree, familiar with lis workings.
unable TO obtain Il competent deputy 10 assist
me, | was expected (by Judge Cockcrlllc, II"
Que cl>e) to take up aud discharge IN reguIa!
form and manner duties which he hinScfcouId
not then, nor now, do. The continuity aud
disgrace which his honor hcapcd upon NE that
day were enough to appa a drawer heart than
mine. But in the firm belief in the power .,
right, | bore it ALL nor has he ever ceased to
expose my faults and hide my virtues. if
have any aud to create and foster prejudice
against me.
At the July term, 1872, Judge Cockcr;iIc
awarded a rule against the Board Of Superv-
s0r> Of Alexandra county to show cause why
they had made certain allowances, &c. NJ
dmffeI the orrlcr hin,~Lf | entered it on the
minutes. and issued il just aS he or'erni Ii TO
be donc-rcrJntim 1t 50 turned out that an
error was made. \ new rule was ordered at the
Augu~t term, he, nyaiu drJting the orhr.
which was entered ami the RUE sued, cnlJttr.
ing, rs JctDrc. tie ccuct 0rr(r Of the CDun. l.
now appears that another error was nIaic
Who committed these blunders Judge Cock
Grille, who drafted the order, or who lS>Yri
the rule exactly as he ordered it should b.
done? as the records Of the Court will show
At the August term the Cour; also directed
a rule to issue against George &. Scaton.
Clerk of the County Court to show cause why
he should not be renewed from office for MAJ.
tca>ancc or gross neglect Of duty. Upon this
order the Judgment OF the Court was entered,
removing me- from the cIcrk>hip--a judgmrut
made up before the rule WAS heard. aud imn,.-
diatcly upon my removal my deputy was ap.
pointed clerk pro TEN. who qualified under a
bond Of Mfyc N,ousuut{ tloIlurS-not quit" oUc
third Of the amount required Of me-
Upon the hearing of the rule against mc.:hn~"
was not single spec tic charge made, either ii
mal'casancc or neglect OF duty My coun-c. un
my behalf courted and demanded an exninJ!a-
ton, which was rc!uSed, the Judge satisfying
himself by saying tha. the facts in the We're
we'll known ~ n!c nut not "a word was pcrm!tt..
me in defence. The general charge OF the Court,
false II every particular, and degrading tpa
Virginia Court was sustained without PROOF.
The only thing that mi ht be called clIars
made against me, was that l had summon"!4
Grand jury without authority OF law. I'M, w">
untrue | summoncl the Grand Jury under II"
old law and not until five days afterwards hn!
official knowledge of the change in the Et~
when the ACES of Sscmbly tor the years 49, q
in which said charge WIS made, was reccIy d
from the Secretary of the Commonwealth, u FAC.
we'll known to his honor Judge Cockc-i!I".
What became of the action against me has never
yet appeared. 1t did not app ar in the rule
The Court refused to name his charges against
me on the hearing o' the rule but violating
every principal of justice that permits every
man fair trial, and ignoring every sense at.
common dcccncy, when the time came tor sic
of preconccvcd purpose theoruer"
the Co irt. ready written, was taken tom Els
pocket aud handed to the deputy clerk for entry
and ain made to suffer for the h1undcrs 81 til"
Court.
The proceedings Of the Court arc condemnci
by every man who loves or has the least RESPECT
for justice. My most bitter political enemies
have said to me tina. the removal Was an "u,-
rage upon justice"
The fathers of VirSira law, could they wit
ness II disgrace brouzhtupon the sacred baroh,
would blush to own the action and hide th"i"
shame in the bosom of their mother earth.
! now appeal to those who were present -"
Monday last u say il have mstated anything.
Very respectfully.
Euur ohcdicnt servant,
sep At GEO. G. SEATON.