Delaware gazette and state journal., 1884-01-31
JUDGE FIsHER'S FIGHT.
Extracts From n Wilmington Dis
patch 10 the Baltimore ebay.

Batilnore Day special
WlLMISGToN. DEL Jan. 25 The eau
didacy of ex Judge George p Fisher fof
the posit ON Of Upited States Judge for the
| district of Delaware, to fill the vacancy
created oy the death OF Hon. X. G. Brad
ford, is the latest illustration of the re
markable sudacity of the Delaware con.
tingent of the old Grant crowd which
held high revel among the publ plum
derers during Boss Shepherds 5 reign in
Washington. Judge Fisher lives at
Dover. He was at one time Judge in
the District of Columbia. He is a man
OF considerable ability, and, despite the
scandals with which his name was con-
neoted from time to time, stands
high in his community, and is promi-
nent leader in Republican politics in this
State. Surrounded by certain Of his
friends who were more or less intimately
connected with him in Washington, he
stands almost at the head OF the iunta
which has ruled Delaware Republicans
with rod of iron for years. One of these
is Dick Harrington, one of the leading
spirits in the great safe burglary con-
spiracy OF 1874. The judge has never
been, charged with having anything to do
with the planning of the diabolical
scheme to put old Columbus Alexander,
who, at the head of the
ci.izsn's investigating committee: was
bounding the plunderers TO earth, in jail
on false charge, or indeed with the
cracking OF the safe In Hsrripgton's office;
but later on In the trial, when he was
then the nominal district attorney (Har-
rington was his assistant), and when
every effort by bribery, perjury, intimi
dating and jury packing was being made
to shield the oulprit from trial, his hand
appeared to good effect. The efforts to
acquit the accused included the most un-
blushing proceedings. A writer, speak
ing Of this, says : Throughout the trial
the situation of affairs about the office of
Judge Fisher, United States attorney for
the district, was standing scandal.
1t was the headquarters of the defense.
Here the defendants and their friends
gathered to consult before each days
session of the court, and here they re-
assembled upon adjournment. The dis
reputable witnesses who were brought
from New York by the secret service
those whom Somerville deemed useful in
the common oRuse-crowdsd here daily,
together with the prominent officials,
contractors and the operators OF the
district ring, under the very eyes OF the
department of justice and OF Congress"
TWO QUEER LEADERS.
But II is not Judge Fishers connection
with the safe burglary trial, nor his
course on the bench, which led to his
removal, that propose to recall in this
in this article. II Ia the remarkable
figure which he and his bosom friend
Harrington present in Delaware politics
TO which desire to call attention. Small
is the State is, it is natural that brainy
men should come to the front in public
| affairs; but still the same thing naturally
| leads to such conduct as that
which drove Fisher and Harrington into
| private life and the latter for a short
time an anonymous fugitive ACROSS the
Canadian border, being more prominent
than in larger community. Scarce had
the people ceased to talk about the dis
trict ring frauds in the heat OF the Presi.
Dental campaign OF 1876 than Fisher and
Harrington came to the front in their
party. They seem to have had an idea
that to become the head of the party
would not only be vinuication of both,
but would make the past to be forgotten
and place them in high standing with
the administration at Washington. The
goal of Hsrrington's ambition ap-
pesred to be TO become the chairman OF
the State central committee; in reality it
was to carry the Legislature and elect
himself to the United States Senate. This
il the only thing on record in Delaware
politics which for sublime audacity ex
ceeds Judge Fishers more recent aepirs
tions to be district judge. Harrington
became chairman of the central com.
'nittee in 1882. He was the fitting leader
o: lifting crowd. The worst element of
the party under his leadership started a
hip, hip, burrah campaign and the best
element lay down and the party was beaten
worse than at any time since the war.