The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1878-12-26
JUDGE McLaughHn's Re- election.

y
Whilst It was MT supposed the opposition to
him would prevail, the bare possibility that
such might be the case, was productive OF
some little apprehension. Wesake from the
Richmond Dispatch the following account Of
the election:
Thirteenth circuit Mr.. Hanger placed in NOM
ination for reelection Judge William McLaugh-
lin. Mr.. Hanger said that Judge Mclaughlin
was the unanimous choice OF every bar In the
circuit and was warmly endorsed in petitions
for his reelection by $500 citizens OF Augusta,
1000 citizens of Rockbridge, and many citizens of
other counties OF the circuit.
Mr.. Hanger said that during the past eight
years Judge Mclaughlin had, according to the
record, decided ten Thousand cases. that there
had been but afty-nine appeals; that of these he
was reversed in whole on nine, and in part on sig.
Mr.. Hanger read the following charges, print.
ed copy OF which he had found upon his desk
'RIcHMoND, VAL
HOUSE OF DELEGATES,
December II, 1878.
To the Honorable Members Of the Senate and
House of Delegates:
'Gentlemen,-Judge Mclaughlin. who will be
presented to this House for reelection from the
Thirteenth circuit. has repeatedly been under the
influence Of whiskey whilst in the public dis
charge OF his duties, and in some instances too
much SO to transact business. The same charges
made last year before my people as q candidate
fortheir SURFACES, and up to this time no official
or public denial has come from either him or his
friends. now renew the charges to your honor
able body q representative from his own conn
ty.
JAMES A. FRAZIER
Representative from Rockbridge
o.
walton OF eight years, said as emphatically az
possible that he had never known Judge Nc.
Laughlin to be under the influence of liquor on
the bench. He however 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 MT. Fraziers circular.
MR. FRAzIER's SPEECH AGAINST THE JUDGE.
Mr.. Frszler. OF Rockbridge. said that he would
now ask the gentleman from Augusta (Mr. Han
ger) to withdraw the nomination. else he would
be compelled. in obedience to the voice OF his
people expressed in 500 majority given him as
a candidate 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 on date
given that At various times of the bench, while
under the influence Of liquor, he gave hints OF
what his decisions would be, that while on the
Special Court Of Appeals he had entered the hall
Of the House intoxicated. and had been drunk on
the streets OF Richmond and that the petitions
referred to by Mr.. Hanger were gotten up by the
personal exertions OF Judge McLaughlins
r., pho ~ nd 1o ut aopf
public sentiment. Mr.. Frazier admitted that
Judge McLaughlin's "confscation" OF his FRA
zier's) property had stimulated him In his war
fare upon the Judge. Mr.. Frazier appealed to
temperance men, aud to Christians especially, to
vote against Judge Mclaughlin.
Mr.. Frazier nominated against Judge McLaugh-
lin Major ]. B. DORIAN. who. he said, had signed
the petition for Judge Mclaughlin. but under
great pressure, sc.
THE OTHER SIDE.
Mr.. Spessard, of Craig, said that he had a petit
ton from two out of the five hundred voters OF
his county. asking the reelection of Judge Nc
Laughlin. The gentleman from Augusta was
mistaken in saying that Judge Mclaughlin was
endorsed by every member of the bar in the cir
cult. There was one In Allegheny who had not
signed the petition, because OF personal mis-.
understanding he had with Judge Mclaughlin,
and yet that gentleman expected and desired the
Judges reelection. Mr.. Spessard also had Pc
tition from citizens Of Covington and other citi
zers Of Allegheny county endorsing Judge Nc
Laughlin. He Indicated his belief that all this
fuss was raised by people who were not satisfied
with some OF the Judges decisions. [Applause.l
PROPOSED INVESTIGATION.
Mr.. Hunter offered the following:
:, RESOLVED by the House (the Senate concurring),
teenth circuit until an Investigation Shall be held
OF his official conduct.
Mr.. Hanger opposed the resolution. The House
was in session l2O days last winter and twenty
days this session, and at all times in the past they
had been ready for the investigation Thor COURT
ed it; but Mr.. Hanger was opposed to having the
election stopped for it.
The resolution was rejected by a nearly unani
nous vote.
MORE TESTIMONY.
Mr.. Hiner. representing Bath and Highland. de.
clared that Judge Mclaughlin was the undoubted
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 shadow
of reason to suspect that on any occasion Judge
Mclaughlin had drop of liquor in him. II
Judge McLaughlin's conduct on the bench was
attributable to whiskey, why, then ESQ unexcep-
tionabe was It'll, it would be highly to the advan-
tage Of his detractors to use some OF the very
same article. Laughter and great applause.l
Mr.. Frazier made another speech presenting
vigorously his peculiar views.
JUDGE MLAUGHLIN on THE BENCH.
Mr.. Echols earnestly urged the reelection OF
Judge Mclaughlin. calling attention to the petit
ton in his behalf from members Of the Lexing-
ton bar. referring particularly to the names OF
]. D. Davidson. John Letcher. Judge Anderson. J.
Rop Iul T1cb 7
DORIAN. He also read letter from Judge w. ].
Robertson, of Albemarle. speaking very highly
CT Judge Mclaughlin. and saying that the peo-
pie of the circuit would sustain great loss II the
General Assembly fail to re-elect him. Mr.. Echols
referring to the charges Of Mr.. Frazier. asserted
his belief that it would be impossible ever to
bring witness here who had seen the Judge
drunk on the bench. Mr. Echols further said
that for the past three or four years Judge Nc.
Laughlin had been as abstemious as any one could
wish. He also spoke. and with great effect. of the
ability purity modesty. frmness, bravery and
kindness Of Judge Mclaughlin.
TURN OF AFFAIRS.
Mr. Moffett seconded the nomination of Judge
Mclaughlin. He declared he I'd never known a
better man or judge, and that he would be almost
afraid to go back home through Augusta county
If he voted against the Judge. he declared that
nature iuu rarely IlHuc udt VI SuCu SFcdG due
good qualities.
Mr.. Frazier begged to withdraw the name OIL
Major Dorman but declared that he had tried tc
do his duty and to truly represent his county
md now, after presentation Of the facts the obi
um OF the result would be not upon him. bui
upon those who should vote for the gentleman.
Mr. Popham spoke IN favor OF the reelection Of
Judge Mclaughlin.
Judge Mclaughlin received ali the votes cast
(s6), with one exception (Mr. John R. Carter, who
voted fer Major Dorham.) Messrs. Frazier and
Lady OF Rockbridge. did not vote at oil.
The House then proceeded with the election Of
judges for the Fourteenth. Fifteenth, and Six
teenth circuits. The present incumbents (Judgea
Blair, Fulton. and Kelly were reelected.
The vote this day in each case Except Judges
Mclaughlin and Barton). was unanimous. and
the committee appointed to count the vote de-
clared Judges Barton, Keith. Turner. McLaugh-
lin, Blair, Fulton, and Kelly duly reelected, and
the execution of the joint order was thus COM
pIeted.
Adjourned.
The following is the report of the action
of the Senate taken from the same paper
For Judge Of the Thirteenth circuit MFR. Sher-
rard nominated Mr.. James B. Do rman, Of tn e
comfy If Rockbridge,