Staunton vindicator. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1860-1896, 1878-12-27

Ter OF formality-5hat he assumed none of
its responsibility.
In THE HOUSE.
Thirteenth circuit: Mi Hanger placed
in nomination for reelection Judge Will
1 am Mclaughlin. Mr.. HANGER said that
Judge Mclaughlin was tie unanimous
choice OF every bar in tire circuit, and was
warmly endorsed in petitions for his re-
election by 2,5u0 citizens of Augusta, 1000
clLlzeas OF Rockbridge. and many citizens
of Other counties of the circuit.
Mr. Hanger said that during tile past
eight years Judge Mclaughlin had, ac-
cordlng to the record, decided ten thousand
cases; that there had been but fifty-nlne
appeals; that OF these he was reversed in
whole on nine, and in part ON six.
Mr.. Hanger read the following charges,
printed copy of which he had found upon
his desk:
RICHMOND, VA.,l
"HOUsE OF DELEGATES.
December II, 1878. J
"1o the Honorable Members Of the Senate
and House Of Delegates:
s'Gontlenen-Judge Mclaughlin, who
will be presented to this House for re-elec-
zion from the Thirteenth Circuit, has re-
peatedly been under the influence Of wis
key whilst III the public discharge of his
duties, and in some instances too much so
10 transact business. These same charges
made last year before my people as can
tiidate for their suffrages. and up to this
time no official or public denial has come
either from him or his friends. l now renew
the charges tG your honorable body as a
representative from his own county.
JAMES A. FRAZIER,
Representative from Rockbridge."
Mr.. Hanger, speaking frcm personal OBJ
servatiOn OF eight years, said as emphati-
cally as possible that he had never known
Judge Mclaughlin to be under the in
fiuence of liquor on the bench. He, how
ever, would admit that, like most other
men, Judge Mclaughlin had at other
times been under its Influence. He would
despise himself if he could support man
clothed with such important trusts, who
was Of such character as, described in Mr..
FIaZier's circular.
MIR. FRAZIER'S SPEECH AGAINST THE
JUDGE.
Mr.. Frazier, of Rock bridge, said that he
would now ask the gentleman from Au-
gusta (Mr. Hanger) to withdraw the no.
mination, else he would be compelled, in
obedience to the voice OF his people, ex-
pressed in 500 majority given him as can
didate for this House. to make some very
unpleasant exposures. Mr.. Frazier paused
for a reply.
Mr.. Hanger gave him none.
Thereupon Mr.. Frazier read lengthy
speech charging that Judge Mclaughlin
had been drunk on the Fundamentally so
at Staunton Oh date given: that at va
rious times off the bench, while under the
influence of liquor, be gave hints of
what his decisions would be; that while on
the Special Court of Appeals be had en-
tered the hall of the House intoxicated,
and had been drunk ON the streets of
Richmond; and that the petite referred
to ty MIR. Hanger wei e gotten up by the
personal txertions IF Judge Mclaughlin s
clerks of courts, and do not properly re-
resent public sentiment. Mr.. Frazier
admitted that Judge McLaughlin's "con-
iscation" Of his (Frazier's) property had
simulated him in his warfare on the
Judge. Mr. Frazier appealed to temper
ance men, aud to Christians especially, to
vote against Judge Mclaughlin.
Mr.. Frazier nominated against Judge
Mclaughlin, Major J. B. Dorman, who, be
SAID. had signed he petition for JudgeMc-
Laughlin. but under great pr essure.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mr.. Spessard Of Craig, said that he held
petition from two out of the Fl Re hundred
voters of his county. asking the reelection
OF Judge Mclaughlin. The gentleman
from Augusta was mistaken in saving that
Judge Mclaughlin was endorsed by every
member of the bar i'll the circuit. There
was one in Allegheny who had not signed
the petition, because of personal misun-
Outstanding he had had with Judge Nc
Laughlin, and yet that gentleman expect
ed and desired the Judges reelection. Mr..
Spessard also had a petition from citizens
of Cov1ngton and other citizens OF ALE
ghany County endorsing Judge McLaugh-
fuss was raised by people who were not
satisfied with some Of the Judges decis-
ions. [Appla use.
PROPOSED INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Hunter offered the following:
RESOLVED the House 1.-THE Senate con-
curring), shall delay the election Of judge
for the Thirteenth circuit until an inves-
tigation shall be held of his official con-
duct.
Mr. Hanger opposed the resolution.
The House was in session 120 days last
winter and twent five days this session,
and at all times in the past they bad been
ready for the investigation. They courted
it: but MIR. Hanger was opposed to having
the election stopped for it.
The resolution was rejected by nearly
unanimous vote.
MORE TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Hiner, representing Bath and High
land, declared that Judge Mclaughlin
was the undaghted choice of his people.
Though he had been at every court over
which Judge Mclaughlin had presided in
his county, and had seen him on the BENCH
in other counties, he never had a shadow
of reason to suspect that on any such oc
casion Judge Mclaughlin had drop of
liquor in him. It Judg- McLaughlin's
s0ndncs on the bench WIS attributable to
wfiskey, Why. then $50 u2ezceptlonnaole
vas it, it Woula be highly to the adyan'
sage Of his detractors to Use some Of the
ve, . saflle article. Laughter ;asnd great
Mr ''' Ersz;or ,-ade another speeeh pre-
senting vigorously his pc. f s's"S'
JUDGE NC LAUGHLIN OH THE BEN
Mr.. Echols earnestly urged the reelec.
tion of Judge Mclaughlin, calling atten-
tion to the petition in his behalf from
of the Lexington bar, referring
to the names of ]. D. David.
son, John Letcher. Judge Anderson. i.
Randolph Tucker, Joseph G.. Steele. and
J. B. Dorman. He also read letter from
Judge W. J. Robertson, of AlbemarIe
speaking very highly of Judge McLaugh'
lin, and saying that the people of the cir