Daily globe., 1879-02-04
BLODGETT'S BA1LIWICK.

Another Chapter in the Congressional In
vest1e stfOn--Judge Drummond Comes to
the Defense of His Associate--so Does
Collector Hibbard and Others-And Alto
gether the Case of the Judge has q Better
Look.
CHICAGO, Feb 3-The Blodgett investigation
this morning proceeded in the absence of Mr..
Lapham, both counsel and that gentleman ad-
vlslng that course. The defense called Judge
Drummond, who testified that Judge Blodgett's
instructions to the grand juries were like his
own. Blodgett often lacked patience and ami
ability towards jurors and counsel, but was
sorely tried by his amount of work. He
possessed great executive ability. Didn't know
That ne took the bits in his mouth oftener than
other judges of decided character. Don't know
that ne was partial to older lawyers Heard
complaints of his temper from young and old
members of the bar. Didn't know Of any law
yers having the ear of the court. Preference ia
often given to older members of the bar with
out injury to the younger.
REGISTER HIBBARD.
The defense called Register Hibbard, who
said that in 1875 he applied to Judge Blodgett
to resolve doubts as to the Interpretation of
tbs bankrupt act, his difficulty being how to
make the annual reports. Blodgett gave him
advice which he foil wed infinitely in report
ing fees and dividends. On cross examination
ne explained the technical difficulties regard
ing fees earned in a case taking years to settle.
He considered deposits of fees trust fund
he believed most of the other registers report
ed as he did. His cash books were then sub
mitted for scrutiny. He explained them. He
said he had made Judge Blodgett present of
watch and chain, token of apprec1ation for
favors done before he was appointed register
and had given few Christmas presents to
him or his family.
Witness always tried to make as honest and
mplete report as possible. Consulted care
fully with the judge and other LAWYERS on the
matter upon the construction of the law. He
sad never stated that Judge Blodgett had con-
htrued the law for HIM, although that was the
fact, for he considered that Blodgett had
enough trouble of his own, but was touched at
the manhood of Judge Blodgett in assuming
before the grand jury the responsibility for
the register construction. He wished now
that he had been indicted for perjury. as he
could defend and exonerate himself, and it
would have obviated the charge against Judge
Blodgett.
In the afternoon the defense put on record
the resolutions of the bar association DECLARING
confidence in Hibbard, and the memorialists
stated that the association was divided upon
the resolutions. as shown by the minutes.
w. Il. Bradley, clerk of the circuit court.
testified he had in 1875 doubted the correct
ness Of Hibbard's manner of making reports,
but accepted Judge Blodgett's Interpretation
as correct as matter of course. Never heard
the judge allude to it. He testified to the gen
eral honesty of Hibbard's reports and cond uct
The memoriaiists read charge third, that
Judge Blodgett had borrowed and converted to
his own personal use moneys belonging to the
registry of his court. Before considering this
the first charge was closed up by calling
Flershein, Weatherell and Sisson'
who testified that they had
received from Hessing So, 500 to prevent them,
as creditors of the Germania Insurance com.
pany, from objecting to the arrangement by
which his notes were disposed of. Did not
know that this was dono by any arrangement
with Judge Blodgett or the assignee, vock.
Gen Leake, Vock's law partner, testified re-
gardlng Hessing being insolvent. He was
hopeiessly involved in the Manufacturing COM
panys affairs. Judge Blodgett knew thorough
~ the condition of Hess1ng, from judicial pro-
ceedings before him, and did wisely in not en-
tering judgment but making a private sale.
An execution at that time would not have real
lied cent. Adjourned.
Judge Blodgett has prepared his answerEto
the third charge against bin. He declares it
utterly untrue, and that only in two instances
has he borrowed money for personal use, each
time from assignees, to whom he has given his
note for short period, and in one case at least,
with interest He repaid the amounts in both