Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1876-05-27
Judge Buckuer's Report.

Judge Buckner, chairman of the District
committee, has proposed to his mmittee as
Its report most bitterly partisan finding
as the result OF the examination into Dis
tTict affairs. The committee, we believe,
has not adopted the report. In addition 10
the national interest, we OF Columbus have
some local interest in this matter-an emil
nent citizen, Ex-Governor Dennison, being
one OF the District Commissioners, sought 10
be smirched by this partisan finding. Ex-
Governor Dennison needs no defense here,
where he has been prominent in affairs for
nearly life time, and has escaped even
SANDER itself by the uprightness OF his life
and conduct. The point OF interest is to
know what insin ua ton an ingenious parti-
San malignant has been able to frame against
such man, and so gauge from our personal
knowledge OF him, how much faith may be
given generally 10 the insinuations made
against nearly every prominent man in
Office, this winter.
II is extremely difficult, on examination,
TO ind any reason in the report itself for the
vincictive tone adopted. IL has no support
In reason. The real and only question be-
tween the report and the Commissioners is
as TO the construction OF the act of June 20,
1874, under which the present Commission
government was organized. The Commits
sioners have shown by their published an
swers 10 interrogatorles of the committee,
that their construction of the act was
adopted on the advice OF their legal counsel
III correct, each and all their acts are wholly
of more than doubtful legal authority.
Whatever mistakes they have made, II any,
grew out OF the construction OF the law, hon.
estiy made. This is not denied by the chair
man in his report.
Now, why has Judge Buckuer adopted
such style OF comment, on a mere differ
ence OF opinion as 10 the construction of a
law? II is within the discretion of the Com
missioners 10 construe the law-they did
rot do so without the best legal ad vice-snd
their construction Is Endorsed In written
opinion by Lyman K. Bass, jeremiah M.
Wilson and Jay A. Hubbell, who were men,
bers of the investigating committee of last
Congress which prepared and reported the
bill 10 Congress. Why does Judge Buckner
villify the Commissioners, In bis libelous
report, with no other foundation than this?
He vtlliies the Commissioners, as other
committees have villiied other men on even
worse ground, solely 10 make party capital.
Judge Buckner would not voluntarily 90
upon the street in his town, perhaps, and
charge that the best man in the town was a
thief and a scoundrel, because they hap
pened 10 differ on the question Of infant
baptism; but he will do his best 10 smirch
the reputation OF the purest and best OF men,
on the pfetext OF difference as to question
OF legal construction, because the democratic
party may be gainer by IL. In the same
way, his fellow members on other commit
tees, will put the Inventions Of Confessed
thieves and perjurers and forgers, against
the best evidence ever produced, in order TO
make point against the republican party.
The most monstrous Injustice 10 individuals
is perpetrated IN cold blood, without re-
morse, because IL is ''for the good Of the par
ty."-tOhto State Journal.