Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1879-06-02
That perilOuS Perry.

The funny chap who conducts the Camden
/ Herald cuts up very queer antics. Some
how he got himself appointed to admin
lister such amounts OF justice as that locality
might call for-that is of the kind which he
furnishes-and of which, if the record is to
be relied upon, very small quantity ought to
suffice. Let us give an instance. In August.
1876, some boys, mischievous as boys will
sometimes be, were accused of breaking into
a summer cottage, destroying some articles,
and doing other damage Thereupon Trial
Justice Perry as he signs himself wrote to
one of the young men, rcciting the penalties
of the law in their scyercst form, and sum
mOning him to respond with his money.
which" says this eminent practitioner, you
can pay to him or me-" 1t makes a lawyer
smile TO see such demand upon person
who had not been arraigned, tried or convict
ell of any otfence-made, too, in his official
capacity by magistrate who is forbidden un-
der peLalty from acting as counsel or attorney
in any case before him.
The young man didn't heed this call. and
the next time Wilder w. tried to reach out a
little further, in another letter, thus
W. c. SrErsoS $40 will pay the damages in the
matter of sherman VS.. you and others, for injuries
received to his property recently in regard to which
you have been heretofore notified.
For that amount will give YOU a receipt TO cover
all claims against you and others, and nothing will
be said about the matter.
Otherwise yon may be prepared to attend court to
answer to the charge under Chap ~ Sec Ii Revised
Statutes which includes a heavy fine and imprson-
ment.
This must be attended to at once.
WILDER w. PERRY, Trial Justice.
Camden, Sept :,
These, be it remembered, are the acts of
public official. which are always proper sub
iects of comment-and in this case of an Of
fetal who has high aspirations, and whose
record is therefore a matter of public interest
1t will be perceived, by this peculiar letter
that for II moderate sum, this discriminating
and upright magistrate proposed to apply
healing plaster, civil and criminal. to the case
of these Young men, for their offences, past
and present--and one which, it is dclcately
limited. would purchase at once the magiste-
rial favor and editorial silence--for "noth-
ing will he said about the matter" if the ten
dollars only annoint the palm of the dispen-
ser of justice. 1t may be wondered how of
ten the committee of ways and means sat
in the office of this magistrate, and how fire.
quently there came up cases in which
for ten dollars ''nothing will be said about
the matter" Camden ought to be proud of
its representative. His court must be the
one alluded to by Mrs. Darlington, as that in
which Justice is dispensed with"
he JoufAai pOet-we always Keep one on
hand--finds this subject so full of the ee-
ment that, like Mr.. Wegg, he ''drops into
poetry as follows
am justice, Justice p
To make the laws respected,
Your great Inisdeeds plainly see,
And on them have reflected
Btu still, inclined to mercy's side,
And all that mercy follows,
III try your great offence 10 hide,
II YOU can spare ten dollars
My moral sense is very keen
lis sad you should so shock it
Excuse me, while feel for you,
If | feel In your pocket.
The magistrate must have his share,
When justice needs hacker
Integrity can't live on air,
And Polly wants cracker.
The prison keys mine to WELD
Twill be the worse to doubt it
Ten dollars will indulgence YIELD
And nothing said about it.
Then come you up, with cash in hand,
In carriage or in wherry,
The case admits of no delay
And am Justice Perry.
love the greenbacks, every sort
And am their great defender'
II YOU want fayO of the court
Put out your legal tender
| rather think you ought to wear
The Iron cuffs and collars
But no chap need be whining here,
Who hasn't got ten dollars.
'See Perry's life, contributed bv himself to the
Legislative journal, in which he is STYLED 'the prn