, 1875-03-18
Ruast Sound gispatth.

Ruaet Sound 9ispatei. {.
Chief Justice J. r. Lewis and
His Traducers.
When it was announced in the Orsge-
nisn that charges of infamous character
had been preferred against the newly ap-
pointed Chief Justice and that NEARLY
the whole community have joined in
this NATTER" though We placed little
faith in the source of the statensnts,
We could not but feel q nervous solici-
tuds for the honor of the Judiciary and
credit Of the Territory, in view of the
notoriety given to intimations Of 81
grave . character. By this mornings q
mail We received from Wslla Walla,
documents of unquestionable authenti-
city, which fully remove all doubts up>
on the subject, and fully vinoicate the
judicial and social character Of Judge
Lewis as An upright and fearless Judge
and citizen entitled to honor, conf
dencc and respect.
All the assaults apon Judge Lewis, il
appears. originated with one Thomas
H. Brents, lawyer of disreputable an
tecedents and questionable practices,
who was suspended from practice by
Judge Lewis for gross unprofessional
conduct on his part as an Attorney"
This occurred in August last. Imme-
diately thereafter Brents procured to be
printed and privately and surrertitoualv
circulated for signatures. through remote
portions Of Idaho, Oregon and Washing.
ton-avoiding Walla Walla ard vicinity
the following petition:
"To His Excelleucy, q. s. Grant,
President of the United States, and the
Senate of the United States:
"Your petitioners.t the undersigned cit
liens of the LIST Judicial District OF
Washington Territory, would respect
fully represent that they re ard Joseph
Il. Lewis. Associate Justice of the Su>
preme Court of said Territory and
Judge of said District. as Q partial,
dogmatical, superciliuus, inscriptions.
and rrupt man. wholly unfit for said
position. They therefore pray for his
speedy removal therefrom, and 40 in
duty bound they will ever pray"
These petitions we're in circulation
over two months before Judge Lewis OF
any of his immediate friends in Wslla
Walla saw copy or knew anything OF
its nature but by rumor. A meeting Of
the Walla Walla bar was held ON the
9Th of November, at which resolutions
were passed and signed by all the mem
bers. with the exception of Brents. his
law partner, and the editor of the Union.
a copy of which Is hsreunto appended.
In February. another meeting was held
and Messrs. Caton and SEarpstein, two
of the leading members Of the bar,
opposed to Judge Lewis in politics,
were appointed to make q statement
to be presented to the President, as
follows; tr
WALLA wALLA W. T.. February, 1875.
70 his Excellency. U. :. GRANT, Presi-
dent of the Unite d States: As
A most extraordinary effort is being
made by a member of this bar. to secure
the removal of Hon. Joseph R. Lewis,
Associate Justice of the supreme Court
of this Territory, and Judge Of the
First Judicial District. To secure that
end large number of petitions were. in
October last. secretly printed and for
wsrded to different parts of this District,
70 Eastern Oregon and Idaho Territory
for signatures. So secretly have these
petitions been circulated that it has not
been possible for tho bar here to secure
a copy until short time since.
These petitions have been much circu-
lated and signed by transient persons
from the mines, who are here for the
winter only, and spend their time in
gambling and other disreputable prac-
tees. The sporting men generally have
signed these petitions, probably for the
reason that twenty or more of them
we're indicted and fined for . violation
of the Statutes in relation to gambling.
These petitions were also signed. as
We are creditably informed. by soldiers
from the Post, as also in Idaho and
Oregon. A very small number Of Our
worthy citizens have signed them, and
those who did, 90 done upon mistake
of facts or from private malice.
Resolutions of this bar. sigued by all
the members Thereof, save two beside the
party engaged in the movement. were
presented to the Court at its November
term. best expressive of the views of
this bar on the subject; certified copy
whereof is herewith attached and
printed copy is in the margin thereof.
We also append hereto statement
from many of the officers and leading
citizens Of our city on the subject. IS
we'll as of all the officers of Yakima
County in this District.
In relation TO this matter we further
have to say that be believe Judge Lewis
has given more general satisfaction to
the members of the bar and to all others
having business before him who are
to Judge than has been given
in this District during its past history.
We also say that we are assured that
ou, people generally endorfe his ability
and integrity both a. Judge and pri.
vate citizen.
For these reasons and feeling that it
would be great loss to the profession,
and an unmeffted thrust ct honor and
integrity on tho bench and m unhal-
lowed triumph Of wrong to suffer the