Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1879-03-05
BLODGETT.
Report of the Judiciary Committee of
the House on the Charges Against
the Now Notorious Chicago
Judge.
Nothing Pro wen that will Warrant His
Impeachment-It is Therefore Re
commended that the Charge
Against Him be Laid on
the Table.

WASHINGTON, March 3.-The house COM
mittee on judiciary submitted an unanimous
report regarding the charges against Judge
Blodgett. The report says: With regard
to the first charge that B!Odgett entered into
a dishonorabie conspiracy to detraud the
creditors of the Germanla Insurance COM
pany, whose affairs were pending before
him, " the committee maintain that there Is
nothing to show that Blodgett's action In the
matter was different from what any other
Judges might have been under similar cir
Gu nstances, 10 perfect good faith. While
the difference in the manner IN which the
notes and stocks of HesIng ana other assets
remaining IN the hands of the assignee were
ordered to be sold might seem to require
some explanation, 1t IS IN evidence that the
method prescribed for the sale OF the former
was by no means unusual IN that court, and,
besides, 1t appears from the testimony of Mr..
Leurny, lawyer of very extensive practice
and experienced IN such matters, as well as
the statement OF Judge Blodgett himself,
that such a course had been generally foucd
most beneficial to the parties interested, aud
there can be but little doubt that had the
order come to the knowledge of the creditors
and the general public through the daily
prints or otherwise, the stock would have
brought far more than 1t did. The want OF
that publicity was attributable to Heslags
lawyer. Admitting all the facts proved, the
committee are unable to see how It would be
possible to convict him Of a crime upon the
evidence before them. 50 tar as the charge
of borrowing money from the clerk or other
officials Is concerned, it would seem that there
Is as much ground for the Impeachment Of
Bangs;as for that OF BiUdgett. The next charge
exhibited Is ''that Judge Blodgett, In admins
tering the bankrupt act, had wilfully violated
and perverted the letter and spirit of the law
by making unlawful use of the powers vested
in srflCra a r1r
pose of enrlchlng his friends and taVorItes,
and has therefore brought the administration
of justice IN his court Ca court of bankruptcy
INTO reproach and scandal" Under this
charge the evidence shows that IN repeated
instances Judge Blodgett had appointed one
of three persons, Robert + Jenkins, Brad
ford Hancock and George w. Campbell, pro-
vlsional assignee before the regular assignee
had been elected by the creditors; yet, in
most, IT not all these cases, It was shown that
the assets were Of such a nature as demanded
immediate attention, or the business OF the
bankrupt had been of such a character that
the interests of all concerned required 1t to be
kept IL operation. Ii was, moreover, shown
that the provisional assiguees thus appointed
were capable men, experienced in such busI-
ness, and were generally, If not in every in
stance of the kind, elected by the creditors,
and there is nothing showing any corrupt III
terest IN the judge in making such appoint
ments further than his friendship for the
parties appointed, nor that any person was
injured thereby. 1t also appears that from
January /, 1873, to January l, 1879, Jenkins
had been assignee in five hundred and TWEEN
ty-seVen cases, Hancock In two hundred and
thlrty-two cases, and Campbell IN
three hundred and sixty-two cases, making
in all eleven hundred and twenty one. Yet
it also occurred that in a large majority they
had been chosen by creditors and their cleo
ton confirmed by the Judge, and that they
were competent and experienced men, and
that 20 undue or illegal influence had been
used upon or by Judge Blodgett to procure
their appointment In any case whatever.
1t also appeared that Homer Hubbard had
failed to comply with the rule prescribed by
the supreme court requiring him as register
IN bankruptcy to file statements Of his fees IN
each case with the clerk of the court, the fees
to be taxed by the clerk, that If any question
should arse thereon an appeal might be
taken toithe district Judge. From the time the
rule was adopted, until quite a recent date,
there was no evidence that any question
mad ever been raised or appeal taken to the
judge, or his attention called to the matter
In any manner whatever. In short, 1t may
be said with regard to this particular charge,
that while the administration of the bank
rupt act, of which the country will fortunate
ly soon be entirely relieved, led to transac-
tons OF large amount OF business IN
chambers by the district court of the north
ern district of illinois, which was greatly
crowded with causes arising under that act,
and consequently afforded opportunities to
evil disposed persons to perpetrate frauds
upon others, and gave rise perhaps to
suspicious and complaints Of favoritism
or corruption whether well or i'll founded,
the committee are unable to find In the evil
dence proofs upon which Judge Blodgett
could be impeached upon such a charge The
same may be said IN relation to the only re-
naming charge, which was to the effect that
Judge Blodgett had corruptly contributed to
aid, by his official position and conduct,
conspiracy to defraud the stockholders of the
Garden City insurance company, by enabling
certain persons to buy stock Of that company
at discount" That thereswas.a conspiracy
of that character, and that the ccnspIrators
resorted to a proceeding IN bankruptcy before
Judge Blodgett as one of the means for at
tanning their object, and that such object
was successfully accomplished, there can be
no doubt from the evidence; but as the testl-
mony bearing upon this particular charge has
not yet been returned by the public printer,
the comml tee will content themselves with
reference thereto with the remark that how
ever flagitious that that conspiracy may have
been the proofs before the committee are not
such as to show that Judge Blodgett had any
such criminal knowledge of or corrupt par
hcipatIon therein as would warrant his im- I
peachment therefor. In view, therefore, of |
all the evidence before them, the committee
would respectfully recommend the adoption |
of the following resolution:
Res0lred, That the charges against Henry |
w. Blodgett, United States district nudge /
for the northern district of Illinois, be laid on
the table, and that the house take no further |
action thereon.
j. Proctor Knott, d. B. CulbeTSOn,
Z. q. Latham, VIM. p. Lynde,
John 4. Harris, VIM. S EOrney,
o. ID. COngeF, !. A. MaNahOn