Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-05-04
PITTsBURG, SATURDAY, MAY 4. 1889.
TWELVE PAGES
THE LICENSE INVEsTIGAT-

The resolutions for inv
House of Represers. 'estigatlon by the
1TrLi,o,u - itatives. into Judge
sh,,. ~ granting licenses were
u. The wide publication
wen them brings them be-
e, as they will be before the
when formally presented; and
- as necessary to say something concerning
the proposition and its subject.
The propriety of investigation, looking
toward a possible impeachment, turns en-
tIrely upon the question whether there is
any proof or good reason to believe that
there was corrupt motive for his action, or
anY evidence that he was mentally incapaci-
tated to exercise the discretion with which
the lay invested him. Mere differences of
opinion as to whether his decisions were
wise or equitable on individual applications,
of course, affords no basis for even talking
of impeachment. 1t is the discretion
the Judge. be that great or
rman, which law declares shall
govern-not the discretion of the parties in
interest,
As to mental ineapacity it would be
equally idle to attempt to infer that from
the Judges action whether he had granted
all the applications or none. The wide diff
ferences in the public mind on the license
question, as shown in the struggle for and
against prohibition, shows that thousands
of people of undoubted mental soundness
are wider apart from one another than
Judge Whites course would indicate him
to be from either class of the extremists.
This brings back the question solely to
whether there is proof or reasonable cause
tobelieve in corruptmotives. Such acharge,
if there was even priDld .fdcie support for
it, should be investigated at once and thor
oughly; but its very gravity imposes a most
serious responsibility upon those who
father it. To bring forward such charges
without evidence; TO entertain or to circu-
late them merely as Prescriptions growing
out of the disappointment of individuals.
or out of differences of opinion as to the
wisdom of the Judges action, would be
simply diplay of temper.
Not unlikely, in disposing of too many
cases, some applications which might, with
out detriment to the public interest, have
been granted were refused, and some which
might better have been refused were posi-
blv granted. But to meet such cases re-
spectful demand for rehearings, strongly
persisted in, is the only remedy.
1t is also clear that, as was said concern
ing the investigation into the penitentiary,
the charges should show a definite basis,
and should be presented by some authority
that gives them at least 8 prin1d Jdcie stand
ing. The fact that Representative Shirss
has his resolutions ready for presentation
creates supposItion that he has some evil
dence to substsntiate them. But it must
be pointed out that, so far as the resolu-
tions themselves show, they are very general
in terms and allege nothing specifically.
Bevond that, there is absolutely no evil
denee before the public showing corrupt or
dishonest action in the License Court
Until such evidence is produced the public,
whatever the extent or warmth of the criti-
cism upon the quality Of judges dis
cretion, will assuredly not listen to mere
presumption of corrupt motives. Nor can a
Legislative resolution for impeachment give
such color to the proceedings unless there
is definite proof to back the resolution up.
If there is such, the resolution is imme-
diately in order. If there is not, the indis-
cretion Of making such charges wilLthrow
into the shade any possible insuficiency of
discretion on the part of the bench in acting
upon Licenses.