The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-01-09
Charges against Judge BlOdgett.
WASHINGTON, Jan, 9Th
THE PETITION


To the Honorable the Speaker and Mem
bers of the House of Representatives of
the United States of America in Con-
gress assembled:
Your petitioners, John s. Cooper, Henry
l. Sheldon, and John j. knickerbocker,
most respectfully represent and show, that
they are citizens OF the Unitnd States. and
reside in the city Of Chicago, in the North
ern District of Illinois, where they have
resided for q period of more than twelve
years, and have been engaged 10 the prac-
tice of law for more than ten years re-
spectively.
Your petitioners further show that
Henry W. Blodgett, the District Judge OF
the United States for said Northern Dis
trict of Illinois. has, for the past six years
and upwards, 80 used and employed his
judicial Office, as presiding judge in the
District and Circuit Courts for said dis.
trict as to bring reproach and scandal
upon the administration of justice therein.
He has been guilty, as such Judge, OF
gross favoritism towards bis friends and
severe judicial oppression against his enc
mics. He has been unmindful OF the
rules of law in his judicial judgments. lie
has allowed parties and their counsel to
make to him, out of court, ex-parte state
ments of their respective causes before the
same should be heard before him as such
judge, by means of which no has become
so preiudiced against the opposite party
that his judicial judgments have been con-
trary to the facts established by the evil
dence proven before him, and the law ap-
plicabe thereto. Having been attorney
for railroads and a manager thereof for
many years prior to his elevation to the
bench, his rulings, orders, and judgments
10 causes where railway corporations have
been parties thereto have been grossly and
uniustly 10 favor Of such railway corpo-
rations.
He has so employed his judicial Office
as, by gross Partially to the older and
more Influential lawyers practiciDg IN his
court, to eudeavor to make them his
friends and defenders; while at the same
time he has, toward the younger aud less
influential attorneys practicing In the court,
borne himself in a harsh, severe and arbl-
trary manner, aud has so administered his
high office as to impede aud Obstruct the
administration of justice in said court, and
prevent the conviction and punishment OF
those charged with and guilty OF crimes
against the government of the United
States; and lastly, be has been guilty OF
corruption in mis- Office as such district
judge.
Wherefore your petitioners humbly pray
your honorable body to investigate the Of
fetal conduct of said Henry ". Blodgett,
as such district judge, By your committee
and to take such further action as may
seem wise aud necessary, to the end tina
the administration OF justice may be KEEP
pure in said judicial district.
And your petitioners, as they are il
duty bound, will ever pray, etc,
JOHN S. COOPER.
HENRY l. SHELDON.
JOHN j. KNICKERBoCKER.
Mr. Harrison then called attention L
the fact that the petition asked for a spe
clal committee, and hoped the signer
would be gratifed
Mr.. Tucker, of Virginia, sustained Mr.
Burehards argument that the judiciar.
committee should conduct the investiga
ton, as did Hama, of Indiana, who paid
high compliment 10 Judge Blodgett, VIII
often held court 10 Indiana, and was yer!
highly esteemed by the people of tina
state.
Mr.. Burchard's amendment was the
adopted by an overwhelming vote, Their
being only about half dozen 10 the mega
tive, aud the resolutions as amended wer
adopted.
The judiciary committee will meet t
day and select a sub committee to go
Chicago