, 1876-10-29

Melville II. Fuller, Thomas + Withrow, C. Beck
With, L. l. l. i, Nlssen. Ira o. Wilkinson, Charles
Hitchcock, W. II. Barnum, George ". Gray, T.
N. Stiles, Charles II. Gisgs, Robert Hcrycy.
Upon RECEIPT Of this communication. Judge
McAllister immediately sat down and wrote the
following reply:
CHICAGO, Oct 2s.-To C. BecI'riM. I. l. T.
Nsssen, and o'htrs-GES1lEAEx: Your letter Of
against nc on account Of my rulings Of the law in
the Sullivan case has just been handed me, md I
hasten to return you ms sincere thanks for the ex
tained.
The moving csuse in the writing Of snch letter.
I apprchend, was the production in ths Chamber Of
Commerce OF petition, and obtaining signatures
thereto, condemning my rulings upon the Inv in
the case referred to, and requesting to resign
That proceeding was commenced before I had
and I was notified OF 1t before the motion was
heard. cannot but regard (nor can sny unpreju-
diced person. that proceeding in ait other light
than An open, rndisguiscd, high-hasded attempt
to overAwc and intimdate me iu the performance
OF my judicial duty, and a hagrant contempt OF
Court,
1t is one too, which no single individual would
daro to make but is yenturca upon in this instance
because large numbers engaged in it. insteud OF
one or ! few individuals only. need not say that
such interference with the administration Of JUS
tice if tolerated, strikes the very heart out Of the
idea Of justice, because it robs its minister's OF their
indcpcndcnce, and, practically, puts m end to an
independent Judiciary. With full knowledge OF
/ conscientions1y believed to be my duty, and
which ean justify by the highest legal authorityin
the land And what storm Of fabusehas bnrst upon
rue for doing it. The independence u the judiciary
in this city is MOI: virtually gone. What Judge
will ever hereafter have the courage to decide con-
trarT to the demands OF popular c]amor! In this
unreasoning rage they have obiitera.cd everything
that gives vitality to the Judiciary, VIZ the indie
pendencc OF the judges. My rnling: can be passed
upon by learned and capable lawyers like your
selves, aud assume to bc able to furnish plenty Of
legal authorities upon every point. And yet, be-
cause the result Is not III accordance with the
mination is to set an example ant visit me with
utter anuihilation, thus, as say, striking down
the independence OF tho Judiciary .! this city.
Having been ou ) notified Of whit was 10 come,
I have performed my duty according 10 my views
OF the law, which have no do.nt are correct.
taking upon myself The responsibilities and all the
consequences which would follow, which clearly
foresaw. Having done this, l propose to stand
my ground un9haken and nnaWcd by either pc
titions or threats, OF which have received many
believing, too, that all intelligent members Of the
Bar and well-infor1ned people will sustain me in
W K. NcAL11srEn. Y
THREATENING LETTEus.
With TRIBUNE reporter who visited him,
Judge McAllister conversed freely about the
storm Of public opinion that had burst upon
him, expressing the same sentiments that have
been heretofore published.
tin your letter to members Of the Bar who
hare written their approval uf Jour rulings,
Judge, you infer that threats haze been made
against you"
"Yes, have been constantly In receipt Of
letters, some Of them simply sclr!ilous in their
tone, aud others containing attual threats
against me for my action in the Sullivan case"
"Haye you any such letters with you at pres
ent?"
"Hero are SEVERAL" and Judge McAllister
handed the reporter two lett.Ts, unopened.
One Of these was addressed "I5 tho Would-be
Judge McAllister,'' and read as tolloSs:
iyou call yourself Judge. Fie!
Another was as follows: -
To the Hon. Judge McAllister, City, -HaN:: The
honorable Judge. DISGRACED.
"And these are not oil by an means," said
Judge McA1listcr. "These are bnly some that
I have just received. have had others a good
deal worse This morning one tllow wrote ME,
threatening that would be tre.ted to coat OF
tar and feathers. l am sorry tut haven't it
with me, but was so provokedat it that tore
it up Immediately"