The Indiana State sentinel. [volume] (Indianapolis) 1868-1895, 1874-07-28
PISTOLS FOR TWO. "
THE CODE IN CINCINNATI.


THE CODE IN CINCINNATI.
JUDGE p. U. MAJOR DEMANDS AN EXPLANA-
TIoN OF JOHN A. COCKERILL-THE MANAG-
ING EDITOR SENDS A NOTE OF CANCELLATION
GENERAL HODGE THE COURTEOUS THIRD
PARTY-soME HIGH FEELINGS AROUSED
AND A DETERMINED srAND-THE OHIO
RIVER PREVENTS BLooDsHED.
The Cincinnati Enquirer of the 18th inst.
contains the following detailed account of
an attempted resort to "the code" in that city
involving two distinguished gentlemen: AS
our readers are aware, the Enquirer, during
the past week, has contained some rather
severe structures upon the so-called legal
proceedings at Burlington, Boone county,
XIV. which terminated in the release of Mr..
Terrell, the murderer of Harvey Meyers,
upon bail in the sum of $4,000. The presid-
ing Judge was =. u. Major. Upon informa-
ton furnished US we had reason to believe
that Judge Major had transcended his office.
and had made a Durlesque OF justice.
With that understanding we spoke of
the case and the judge in language
which seemed appropriate to the case and in
keeping with our duty as public journalists,
Yesterday afternoon Gen. George Il. Hodge.
OF Covington, gentleman OF distinguished
mien and undoubted valor, appeared at the
1
culate white, and gloved as only gentle
man can be gloved with the Thermometer
ranging in the nineties. The courteous and
lofty manner of Gen. Hodge, coupled with
our knowledge OF him as an individual ever
ready TO lend himselfas a mediator, at once
led MS TO believe that his mission was one of
great delicacy. He handed us the following
"JULY "a, 1874.
"JoHN A. CocKERILL-SR: The Cincin-
natl Enquirer, of which you are understood
to be managing editor. contains an editorial
in its issue of July %, 1874 in which these
expressions occur: The judicial farce at
Burlington is ended The trial proceeds
/ ex parte in a double sense.' The court and
the counsel for the prisoners refused to
hear to the naked law in the case; the testi-
mony is heard perforce to give ground for
the predetermined result the court re-
views the testimony publicly, interpolstes
! important matters into it revealed by no
witness. declares extra-iudiciously that the
case is one of manslaugnter,' and in its is
sue of July a. 1874, 'All accounts
agree that the performances at
Burlington during the hearing oil
the Terrill bail trial were of
the most shameful and humiliating charac-
ter. Judge Major disgraced the Judiciary
of Kentucky, and should beimpeached.'
.These are reflections upon my character
as man and ajudicial officer which could
not permit to pass unnoticed from even a
private Individual: much more Objectionable
are they when promulgated as the utterances
of the editor and conductor of great daily
/ Journal / have the honor consequently to
respectfully request that you will recall
THR oBI ECrIoNABLE ASSERTIONS,
and explain and retract them in az public a
manner as you have made the charges. My
friend, Gen. Geo. b. Hodge, is authorized
to receive any communication you may have
to make in reply. l am respectfully,
"P. u. MAJOR
We at once assured Gen. Hodge that the
articles published in the Enquirer had been
published upon information furnished from
trustworthy sources, and that We believed
them to be justified by the facts. We ex.
planned that il was impossible for an editor
to have personal knowledge of all events
transpiring in his vicinity, and that his
opinions could only be made up from inlor
nation brought TO his desk. We gave him
to understand that we had no desire TO dc
Judge Major injustice, and that after inves
tigaIion. ii it should be found that iniustice
had been done him, we would
take great pleasure in setting him
right. Mr.. Hodges bearing and converse
ton at this point smacked very much o.
the "code." Thereupon we informed hin
thar we did not propose to transact business
upon the Kentucky basis; that we resided
in the State of Ohio, and that the editorial
rooms of the Enquirer were accessible. We
expressed a desire to have Judge Major pay
us visit and present his side of the case
feeling satisfied that an interchange o
views would be highly advantageous to al
parties concerned. Gen. Hodge, to al
this, had only to say that he could not b,
the bearer of a verbal message. At his re
quest we wrote the following and submitted
to him:
''ENoUIRER OFFICE,
"CINcINNATI, July "a, 1874.
: "HoN. P. T. MAJoR-SIr: In reply to you
note handed me this afternoon by Genera
! Hodge, have to say that the articles which
have appeared in the Enquirer touching
. yourself and the recent judicial proceeding
at Burlington were written in good faith
upon information furnished by gentlemen
. who have my respect and confidence. TIL
columns OF the Enquirer are at your service
as they are open to every man who feel
that injustice has been done him. If bav
, been imposed upon will only be too happ,
, TO set you right. Before asking for a re
traction it would be well for vol
{ to furnish the evidence that the En-
} quirers statements we're based upon falls,
data. / have no desire to do you an injury
, and can say to you, in all sincerity, that tn
Enquirer's course has been dictated by
} desire for the public good and not to grstif,
any personal malice or malignant feeling.
Very respectfully yours,
, JOHN A. COCKERILL.
1t was the opinion ofGen. Hodge that thi,
would not be satisfactory, and that 1t woulC
! simply necessitate another visit from him
After protracted conversation. touchin;
the rights and duties of journalist, Gen
Hodge, who for
A MAN OF BLOOD
is marvelously suage and courteous, tool
his departure. Last evening, aS 8:3
O'Clock, he called again at the Enquire
office, and laid the following communication
upon our table:
"JULY "a, 1874 p. NJ.
John A. Cock ERILL-,Sir: Yours of to
hoo In. "a,