The Baltimore County union. [volume] (Towsontown, Md.) 1865-1909, 1872-10-26
Letter from Phitadelphia.

PHILADELPHIA. IA, OCT. ZlSJ lofZ.
LoNGNEcKER BROTHERS. Gentlemen Seeing in your
valuable paper some comments upon the stand taken by
Judge Allison in ordering bailif to forcibly remove
the hat of Friend who had been summoned as Juror
in his court, thought would give you brief history
of the affair.
The circum of the case, given by the Friend
himself follows He says while in the ROOM
after court had been called he approached by
officer who told him that the Judge required him
take off his hat This he declined doing He then stated
to the Judge that he his hat out of dsrespect
to the court that on entering his place of worship he
did not remove it and did why he should do
there. The Judge replied that religious societies
to come there set up their conscientious cruples
and that he did not take it off it would be done for
him. The Friend resumed his and the bailif took
off his hat in accordance with the order of the Judge
and carried il to the reporters desk. In short time
thereafter the officer returned and info med the
Friend that the Ju ge excused him from serving
juror.
Mr.. Allison Judge of the Criminal Court of the city
of Philadelphia which court has long been considered
by the public as court Of inqufty instead Of cot
Justice. The Germantown Chr0nicdL says it is ''as-
tonished that honest should have found his way
into court Juror that homes Juror could
be found there This is the whole truth of u matter
in a nutshell. The broad-brim and plain garb not
wanted there and this is the only plan that could be d
vised get rid of him. There is law in the State of
Pennsylvania that gives judge the power to excuse
competent person from serving as juror, unasked for
If this wearing ofhats, by the followers ofWllam Penn
in the courts of Philadelphia thing, it would
have been very different matter. 1t is of daily
in the higher courts and is sustained by the laws
of the State Ministers of the Society of Friends of
respect by all nations whilst travelling amongst them
and have not been required to their heads in
their courts it being against the religious principles of
the Society to do so, except in time of prayer.
When William Pc n became proprietor of Pennsyl-
vana it was specf d in. ming the government, and
also by the Charter Of Lit that religious toera-
ton should be secured to all that in all all per-
may freely appear in their own way, according to
their manner, and there personally plead their
cause. No one would have been more surprised than
Judge Allison, had this devout Friend appeared in the
jury box and removed his hat vOlunta riy, done
at the time of making the affirmation required. The
sentence would have been pronounced "hypocrt no
| Quaker"
William Penn purchased Pennsylvania at heavy
cost giving Great Britain thousands ofpounds Sterling
in order to the enjoyment of the dictates of
conscience to all who would live pcaceaby under te
government The constitution of the State expressly
declares that there is power in the State that has
hority to interfere with that right divest the cti-
of its enjoyment.
This warrantable action of Judge Allisons is not
only insult the Friend himself, but also to the
Society of which he is member, and trust it will be
looked upon such by all religious denominations.
JUSTICE.