The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1885-12-30
GEN. JOHN C0BURN.
A Talk with Distinguished Indianian Whom
the President Suminarily Removed.

A reporter of the journal met General John
Coburn last night and in the course of an inter
view relating to Montana, It's resources and de-
velopment. his recent suspension from the Judge
ship OF that Territory was referred to.
He was not willing to enter upon
any extended review of the Presi-
dents act, as he said, 81 am
not in position to talk with full and accurate
information regarding events that led to the sus
pension. If had them, 1 don't think L would
be willing to speak of them for publication.
Have you ever received from Washington
any satisfactory reason for the suspension?'
II have had summary Of what purported to
be the reasons. Beyond that, nothing
''And they were-?"
Simply statement that did not live in the
Territory; that I had been out os the district
making speeches. This perhaps referred to my
presence in Indiana during the last campaign.
believe, too, they stated L was of hasty temporal
ment-well, to make it short, that | was not a
good jndge"
did you have intimation of this before
the order of suspension camel"
Not at all; nor have been able as yet to OBJ
tain full statement of the grounds which it is
claimed warranted my suspension. I have
quested 1T, but beyond what L have said l
can tell you nothing. know pa
pers were in circulation or petitions
were about, but the first official notification
came In the order OF suspension. | was no lding
court at the time in Glendive. Upon receipt
of the order 1 ordered all cases to be continued,
the Juriec discharged, and the court adjourned
IN course. had no right to hold
court moment after the order
reached me. If could hold it a day under those
circumstances, could hold it a year By the
way. the reports Of the speech made on that
occasion nave done me great I'M Justice. | made
no great TODD over the matter. | simply said:
Il deem 1T proper that l should say that this
adjournment in the midst of an argument while
much business pending is partially completed,
whlle the labors of the grand jury are unfin-
lshed. while motions and demurrers ara undis-
posed OF, in the middle of the fourth day of busy
term, is caused by an order OF the President
of the United States; that / am suspended.
This order is dated the Sd of this MONTH and
coming roundabout by mail by Miles City. has
just reached me here at Glendive. / can hold
court no longer; | must bow to the order of the
PRESIDENT while question mis- authority to do
this act He is at the head Of the Nation, and has
taken the responsibility to interfere, and | will
not for one moment disobey.
Il spent more than three years in indicating
the power of the Nation, with in my
hands, to control every man and every officer
within the borders of our country, and I will
not now resist that authority, while | protest
against its exercise and deny its validity.
OtHeT uleu may nave QOQ6 Cn&C, or may 90 IL
again, but so help me God, / never will
II only regret that this notice of suspension
has occurred in the very midst of pressing and
important business but could not delay the ad-
journment one instant under my sense of duty
and now place the responsibility where it be-
longs, upon the officer whose executive order
has stricken down the power of the jul
dietary in this Territory. This office
came to me without solicitation, and it
will go without regret The record of my labors
is public. But the unrecorded memories of per-
sonal kindness and friendship would more than
fill volume
Il have found mere an able bar an intelligent
people, capable and ir-minded jurors. and
manly recognition of individual rights. Icannot
say that break off such relations and associa-
tons, so favorably formed, without regret. now
bid you farewell"
Have you any idea who mas been instru-
mental in securing the suspension"
''Only from mere rumor. | have nothing pos.
tive except few meager facts which do not
wish to speak of now. Dan Cullen, chairman of
the Democratic committee. and other leading
men of his party out there, had it in hand
I presume. But after all, l am as man IN
deep we'll Icau't see or hear anything. The
summary of causes which | have referred to did
not reach me until two weeks after the suspen-
sion. | have the consciousness Of having done
my duty, and that is about all l am willing to
say now"