The state rights democrat. [volume] (Albany, Linn County, Oregon) 1865-1900, 1889-05-31


While Il sometimes occurs that persons
holding official stations yield to improper |
influences In determining their actions the |
people are TO be congratulated that this
does not often occur with judicial officers.
A test of judicial integrity In oar own state
has just come to light shat adds another
proof that our courts are the surest palla.
dium OF the rights and security of the peo-
pie, and demonstrates the necessity Of the
most vlgilant care In the selection OF per-
sons to hold judicial positions. Some time
ago an equity case wis decided In Benten
county. In which the parties were A Wosd
VS.. s Rayburn. 1t was decided In favor
Of Rayburn. Jw Rayburn,son Of the de.
fsndant, appeared as counsel forShls father.
Plaintiff appealed the case to the Supreme
Court where Il was argued and submitted,
Judge Strahau had been selected to render
the opinion OF the court. Some time after
the case vas argued and before the decision
was rendered Judge Strahan received the
following letter signed by ] w Rayburn,
the attorney for defendant:
CORVALLIS, Or, AprilIs.
Ny Dear .StrdAdH 81 today mailed to
Judge Thayer an additional brief IN Wood
VS., Rayburn. II is not entirely what
would have liked to have sent you for the
reason that have been sick since was at
Salem aud confined to my room for two
days with severe cold. This brief pre-.
pared yesterday. am intensely interest
ed Ia this case for reversal takes from
my father his home and casts reflections
on me, wJile an afirmance assures my
father In the possession OF his property
aud yindieates me. feel conscious of not
having wronged any one In the least In
this whole transaction No man ever act
cd with better motives than my father has
throughout this whele business aud not q
single expression can be cast on him l am
sure. You know my father very well and
you will say, know, that he Is conscien.
tious In all he does. Judge, you know me
as well as any man in Oregon. Did you
/
enc There Is no one have wronged tha,
l will not make amends to itln my power
want to do right In all things. Above
all want the respect and confidence o.
our courts. Intentionally I'd do nothing
to lose that. have reason to believe Iha
I am cut Of favor with one of your asso
eiateS, for what reason do not know. !
he Is displeased with me for any reason
right me in his estimation II you Gao. lie
me say one word about this case. Befor,
you revise Judge Beans decision be yer,
sure you are right for you may never know
Il, but know Il that the equities are al
with the respondent II you will look int
every nook and corner of this case you vii
certainly affirm the degree appealed from
do not ask you to do any wrong, but / d
ask you 10 thoroughly examine this cas-
from one end to the other and when yo
have done this am very sure you will nc
consent to any change ia this decree.
have n surprise In store for you before long
Gene and see me " hen next yOu are here
You be certain you are always weleomS
our friend,
w RAYBuRN.
Nothing could be more embarrassing
than to receive such letter while havin
the writer's case under advisement, an
Judge S,rahan did not hesitate long as
the proper course to pursue In the premi'
-. He at once sent the letter with SUP
elemental brief in the case 10 the attorney
for the ether side Of the case, evidentl
acting upon that practical view OF the ma
ter that all that was said to the court absu
the case should be known to both side
this being the usua. practice Of the court
. all cases where any matter happens 10
submitted In relation to any pending eas'
One thing is certain now, that the writer {
the letter is not only "out OF favor" wi,
c one, but all three members OF tie cour
: The people are to be congratulated that tn
integrity of our Supreme Court Is pros
against such personal appeals as the aGov