The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1886-07-09
An Unjustiiiable Attack Upon Judge
Fowler

| The Peoples Voice, u newspaper published
at Towsontown, in its issue of July 1st, had
an abusive and scurrilous article with refer
ence to Judge David Fowler, of this judicial
circuit, that has justly excited the lndigna-
ton of his friends in Baltimore and Hartford
counties.
| 1t has become common practice for a
certain class of newspapers-and indeed, we
are constrained to note, ofsome public speak
ers-to pander to depraved public appetite
and vilify those in public position whose Off
cial acts they do not fully understand and ap-
preciate. A great deal of this is overlooked
and escapes rebuke from an indisposition to
interfere with the liberty of the press or of
free speech; but when, in the press and in
public speakers, liberty becomes license, that
license should be treated as other outrages
upon individuals are treated.
The attack upon Judge Fowler was in
every particular unjustifable, and bears upon
its face the impress of personal hate and
venom. Every just and upright official who
fearlessly performs his duty will make ene-
mics, and Judge Fowler may rest assured
that he is not the first one who has been sub
jected to such assaults. He may also rest as
| sured that his wel-earned reputation as an
honest, upright and capable jurist will not be
jeopardized in the least by the article referred
| to.
The members of the Baltimore county bar
held an Indignation meeting, at Towsontown,
Friday afternoon, to take some action with
reference to the libelous article in the PEG.
pies Voice.
Col. d. G, Mcintosh presided, with Mr..
John F. Guntrum Secretary. Addresses
were made by Nessrs. N. Charles Burke,
John T. Ensor and r. r. Boaran, compl-
mentary to Judge Fowler and expressing in
dignation at the insult offered not only to
him but to the entire people of Baltimore
county. A committee, consisting of Col.
Mcintosh, r. r. Boarman, N. Charles Burke
and M. W. Otfutt, was appointed to draft
suitable resolutions and report at meeting
to be held on Wednesday.
On that day resolutions were adopted re-
cognizing to the fullest extent the freedom
of the press and lis right to hold all officials
to fair measure of criticism and public scru-
tiny, but condemning and deploring "any
subversion of its powers and immunities to
crafty personal malevolence in the attempt
to injure and destroy confidence in any de-
partment of the service;" that the recent
efforts of the Peoples Voice. especially on
July LIST, meant to disparage Judge David
Fowler as one of the members of the court,
do not in any manner reflect the opinions
and sentiments of the members of the bar ;
1--WE regard Judge Fowler as an upright, fair
minded, impartial, painstaking judge, whose
performance of official duty has been salts
factory to this bar, and we utterly condemn
the spirit and language Of said article, and
regard the same as a gross and licentious
abuse of the freedom of the press, and VIC
lation of that constitutional protection which
the American people have thrown around it
as one of the safeguards of liberty"
The Baltimore County Democrat says:
"The article which brought about the indig-
nation meeting is direct insult to every decent
citizen in the county. Ifa gentleman of Judge
Fowler's honor, integrity and purity of life,
who has been called to one of the most honor
able and responsible positions in the State, and
has filled it with such entire satisfaction to at
torneys, clients and every one. with possibly the
exception of wrong doors, is to be vilified and
subjected to the most fragrant insults as in this
case, what guarantee has any lady in the coun-
ty that she will not be the next victim to the
spite and malicious venom of the writer of the
article in question"
The MARYLAND State School Teachers