The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1888-01-28
A JUDGE ON THE PRESS.
TROUBLE IN HARTFORD COUNTY.

TROUBLE IN HARTFORD COUNTY.
Comment of The Times and The Demo-
craft on the Court which Judge Walters
Mas Referred to the Grand j ury-They Use
Very Plain Words.
BELAIR, January 21.-On Friday morn
ing, shortly after court had been called
here, Mr.. 8. w. Bradford, member of
the Hartford bar, arose and said that as a
member of this bar, an officer of the
court, and as counsel in a case about to
be tried for the violation of the LEGAL Cd.
ton law, he felt 1t his duty to bring to
the notice of the court certain statements
published in two newspapers of the
county, which, in his opinion. reflected
upon the proper administration of justice
III the court and are prejudicial to pending
cases. Mr.. Bradford then read the fol-
lowing editorial from the Belair Times:
THE Shame Of u AU-Under the in
depreciation given to the Local Option
la by our highest judicial authority,
there need be no difficulty in breaking
up the illicit sale of liquors if intelligent
lscted as jurors. But where barroom
habitues, and miserable weak drunkards
who have had all honor and manliness
destroyed III them by strong drink, are
summoned to sit in these cases, it is to
be expected that the perjured denials of
Hquor-sellers, III whose law-treaking
they are parttceps crinainis, will be ac-
cepted as pretsxt for turning down
unimpeachable witnesses whose evidence
bears the stamp of truth. Slaves of the
cup, with guilty consciousness of par
tlcipatIon in the shameful business, are
not TO be trusted to deal out Justice to
the people who pander to their deprayed
appetites. This is the trouble, and all
the trouble, about the enforcement of
this law.
"Of the jurors at the present term of
court who stand ont for acquittal in the
lace of the cleaI sst evidence OF guilt,
several ale notorious druukardS and fire.
quenters of barrooms whose presence in
| the jury-box is an atfront to the upright
citizen, violation of the state law. and
discredit to the judicial administration.
One of these jurors day or two ago,
was helped drunk to his carriage from
the barroom door OF a man to whom he
had rendered perjured service in the
jury box; aud the barkeeper who helped
him down the steps is an ex-convict under
tais law, but who nevertheless was re-
Gently Summoned to sit as Juror and
aided in hanging the jury. Instancsf
Ike these are familiar enough to the
people OF Belair, but they are mentioned
tor the Information of persous who are
not here to see and who may not dnder-
stand tbs reason Of the frequent miscar-
| riages of justice in our court.
lie then read the following from the
DemOcrat:
"EEpensige Iyastics.-A close estimate
of the expenses of the November term of
| court, now in session, foot up over ten
| thousand dollars. If the results accom-.
| plished were cOmmensnrate with the
| cost, as large as it is, there would Do but
| little cause for complaint. But. unfor-
| tunately, such is not the fact. Witnesses
commit perjury, jurors disregard their
solemn obligations, and prison doors yawn
| iii vain for YiOlat0rs of tile law
After referring the court to the power
OF summary punishment granted to it
under the common law, Mr.. Bradford
concluded by saying that he simply de-
sired to bring the matter 10 the notice of
| tile court, so that it could be referred to
the grand jury, or dealt with as the court
| saw riG.
| Judge Waters said that it was very
serious affair aud that he would not act
hastily i'll the matter, but would take
time aud make up his mind. There was
no doubt OF such thing as the liberty
| of the press, but that pu blishers OF news
| papers should know there was a differ
ence between liberty of the press and
license of the press. 1t was not the first
| time he had noticed such comments upon
| tito court, and he had ON one occasion
called attention to it from the bench here.
tie said that the public may rest assured
that whatever he concluded TO do, would
DO done fearless OF the consequences.
When court was called today Judge
Waters spoke as follows:
~ esterday morning, when my atten-
ton was called by member of the bar,
IN opsn court to recent publications in
two of our county papers, promised that
| would do nothing hastily, but after due
deliberation would adopt the course
which might seem most judicious. Since
then have carefully examined the artl-
Giles referred to. In my judgment, the
only thing left to this court in the matter
Is a choice between remedies. The or
ganlzation of our courts for the securing
;
laws, imperfect az it may seem, is the
growth OF centuries, fostered by the best
civilization of the world.
I'VE look to our courts alone for the
protection OF our lives and our property.
Without their protection even the free
dom of the press, which we all rightly
prize, would not long survive. No greater
misfortune can beisl any people than
that It's courts should fall into merited
contempt, and any court merits contempt
which fails to use the ample means
which the laws afford for it's own protec-
ton. 1he powers which our courts pos
sess OF Furnishing for contempt are ex-
ceedingiy great, and the very greatness
of these powers should make us cautious,
while firm and fearless III their employ
ment. 1t is excellent to have giants
strength, but tyranous to uss it like a
giant. | have no doubt whatever of the
common law power OF this court to
punish summarily the contempt We are
now considering, and do not think |
would hesitate to use that power if it
alone We're available. But for punish
ment to ba effective it's Justice should be
recognized with general unanimiay; if
summary punishment were imposed in
this case probably many persons would
regard 1t as more arbitrary exercise of
power, aud no doubt some would look
upon the libellers as martyrs suffering
for their efforts 10 secure more impair
tiai administration of the law.
II have, therefore, determined to refer
the whole matter to the grand jury,
which shall next be impaneled, and then
in case OF Indictment the laws of this |
state secure to the parties accused the
Ini, 70, Fl III, e
matter charged, by way of justification.
Such course will certainly result III
either reforming your court or protecting
the administration OF Justice in your
county from unwarranted interference
from the ontside.''
ANTI-POVERTY.