The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1879-02-03
Monaay. February 8. 1872
The Blodgett Case.


States District Attorney Bangs told what
he knew about the Withholding of the in
dictment for perjury against Register Hib-
bard. Chicago EUening Journal.
In these few words the Republican
journal disposes of the Blodgett Investiga'
ton, now underway at Chicago. The space
Of the Republican papers is too valuable
to permit the discussion, editorially, of any
testimony that may be given, derogatory
to the fair fame of an Office holder under
the party o! great moral ideas-the
nurse of civil service reform. That the
United States Circuit Judge should be ac-
cused of dishonorable actions is possible
but that he should be guilty? perish the
thought. The petty malice of demagogues,
of Democrats even, might soil the ermine
of the bench, but a congressional inquiry
will cleanse it from all impurity. This ls,
and has been, the tone of the Republican
as we'll as the Administration press; and
now that Congressional Committee Of
Inquiry has elected facts that prove,
even though the ermine may not be so
befouled as to render the process Of
washing impossible, still that worn
by Judge Blodgett will ever bear the
stain of corruption of malfeasance in Office,
OF. favoritism, and the direct violation of
the oath Of Office to which the Judge sub
scribed.
Permitting men whose cases are to be
examined to pick the grand Jury that shall
make the inquiry; mis-interpreting the law
in order to clear the skirts Of the Register
in Bankruptcy from the charge of perjury;
instructing the United States District At
torney not to bring to trial indictments
found by the grand jury; conducting the
business of the court, and making entries
upon the records, at other hours than during
the session Of court; making orders in
criminal cases, and issueing instructions
to assignees and receivers without due
process of law-these are some Of the
many criminal acts that have served to
soil, beyond the power of the Admins
trative whitewash to hide, the Judicial
ermino Of Judge Blodgett, and the official
career Of that prince of excuse makers,
Mark Bangs, United States District At
toruey for the Northern District OF Illinois
It Is not q be expected that HIS
Honor (what ~ insult to the Dame)
viii be convicted Of any Of these crimes;
or, should lie by aGy mistake be convicted,
that he will be punished. The Admins
tratiou takes good care that its sppointces
shall be guilty OF no crime that can posi-
bly, render them unfit for Republican
officials, and NJ matter what the charges
under which they may lie, they follow the
doctrine Of the Presbyterian church: once
a presbyterian, always a Presbyterian
once an Office holder, always an .oficehol-
der. That republican can tall from
grace is possible, not probable 10 the eyes
OF the high moral idealists, but that he
can fall sufficiently low to render his return
difficult, is not possible to them. Judge
Blodgett and Mr.. Attorney Bangs have
but followed il the footsteps of illustriou,
predecessors, and like Robson, Belknap
Babcock, Sheppard, Tyner, Brady anG
others, they will be taken closer into the
arms Of the Republican party, and vii
emulate the example OF Logan, Carpenter
and Chandler by permitting themselves Il
be indicated by reelection or re-appOiut
meut