The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1881-02-10
ARRESTED FOR LIBEL.

- 1850
character merited. We felt then as we
feel now, that the position of circuit
Judge was one SO dignifed, SO intimately
bound up with those individual rights
which it is the function of courts to con-
serve, that man even smirched by sus
picion should be debarred from it. To-
gether with unquestioned integrity we
felt that ability, or at least that industry
which Supplies the place of high order
of talent, were necessary qualifications in
a circuit judge. Believing that Judge
Mclean was deficient in ability, knowing
that he was INDECENT in habits and being
satisfied that the rumors in circulation
would not be fortified by detail and par
ticularity if entirely groundless, We simply
gave form to what already had substance
and circulation. Naturally, the Judge was
provoked at the accusation and threaten
ed libel suit. We were not averse to
it as we felt that verdict supporting the
truth of the charges would by its solem-
nifty, justify us in the course we took and
absolve US from the imputation of malice.
On the other hand, if Judge Mclean was
wronged our punishment was necessary
element in his vindication. He did not
choose to begin proceedings prior to the
convention before which he appeared as
a candidate, although he must have been
aware of the necessity Of disproving these
charges, if not by reason of their effect
upon the result, at least in justice to the
friends who honored him by their votes.
He did not begin proceedings before the
election, although like considerations de-
manded it. It did not matter that Judge
Mclean did not believe that the charge
would receive any degree of credence.-
When he appeared before the people
soliciting their support he should have
done his friends the simple act of justice
of having 1t judicially declared that he
was ibeled and that he was WORTHY of
the support he was receiving at their
hands. 1t was not indifference on the
part of Judge Mclean. His craving for
the position was SO intense that he sud
denly abandoned a party with which he
acted up to the time of his rejection as
its candidate for judge, and then in the
most abject poverty of spirit, skunk into
the camp of the enemy and begged the
crumbs which they had no man with suf-
ficient avarice to covet. With that dis
satisfaction extant which found unit
ed expression on election day in an
adverse majority of about 5000, still
Judge McLean's thirst for Office clouded
his discernment. So inordinate was his
desire that he could not relinquish hope
when everything showed that success was
hopeless. Would a man SO infatuated
with love for office omit to take the pre-
caution of indicating himself when that
simple step would enhance his chances
materially?
Almost one year after the offense, of
which he complains, was committed,
Judge Mclean commences proceedings
at the erpe3ase of the state. He stands
in no need of vindication now. His rep
utation for ability while on the bench
will be measured by the number Of his
clients. His integrity as Judge will not
affect his practice as lawyer. The state
would hardly conduct prosecution for
the purpose of affirming the legal knowl
edge of an attorney. We do not believe
that Judge Mclean wishes to have a
judicial attestation that he has knowl-
edge of law. That is hardly necessary.
The other charges will not bring him a
client the less. Why does he make the
state prosecute? 1t will cost him moth
ing. The little Judge is vindictive and
he wants to crafty his enmity at public
cost.
The libel suit now begun will not be
allowed to rest untHed in the courts
The publishers haye suffered an indignity
at the hands of Mclean and they pro-
pose to sustain the additional one of de-
feat or be justified in what they have
done. Any man however deserving of
censure he may be or, who has received
merited castigotion through the columns
of paper can cause annoyance without
subjecting himself to expense because the
law allows him to prosecute criminally.
A newspaper by carefully abBtaining
from giving expression to opinions that
may by their positive quality, prove Of
fensive to certain persons, may be regard
ed as respectable sheet, but it is not a
newspaper in the fullest sense of the
term. In public matters, incompetency
and anything which deserves to be known
by harsher name should be attacked at
all times and the person who does so in
the interests of the public ought not to
be prosecuted in the name of that public
whom he has dared to protect. 'sChas-
tisement may indeed hide its head" when
the state holds forth a means by which
any unworthy officer or yindictive indi-
vidval may wreal1 revenge without sub
jecting himself to expense. We may
manage a Eamby-panby sheet and be
considered good fellow without positive
convictions, or at least the courage of
asserting them, but we do not choose to.
We shall IL the future as in the past de-
nounce whatever we believe to be corrupt
and commend what is worthy. We can
not be coerced into silence by threats or
by prosecutions. The fear of prosecu-
ton will be no shield for official short
comings, nor the hopes of reward an
incentive for connivance, at questionable
proceedings.
AFFAIRS in Great Britain are rapidly
coming to crisis. The filibustering of