The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1890-02-08
A JUST JUDGE.
How a California Polics Justics Plead
Guilty TO Big Drunk.
He Argued the Case Against Himself in
Eloquent and unansverabls Language and
Imposed . Good, Round Fins Which hs
Promptly Paid

Everybody In Oakland knew Police
Judge Laidlaw had been on bowling
racket. says the San Francisco Alta.
The papers had recounted the story OF
that wild debauch ut the white house
and people wondered what the out
come would be. The spree was fit
tingly concluded yesterday by the ar
rest OF Judge Laidlaw and the imposl-
ton OF fine OF $50. The amusing
part OF the affair is that the Judge
ordered his own arrest fined himself.
and also paid the fine.
There was rather more than the
usual attendance at the Oakland police
court yesterday and ripple OF ex-
element ran around tho room as the
judges voice was heard pronounclng
the words: "Mr Bailin. you will
place Alexander Laidlaw under arrest
for violating an ordinance. Mr. LAID
law Is released on his own recogniz-
ance.- continued Judge Laidlaw.
'Mr Clerk. you will enter that name
upon your docket and he pleads
guilty"
Judge Laidlaw adjusted his glasses,
took a roll OF manuscript from his
pocket. slipped of the little band.
opened out the roll, and read as fol-
lows:
mr.. Clerk. you will please enter
upon the docket Of this court charge
of violating an ordinance OF the city OF
Oakland against Alexander Laidlaw.
To this charge | plead guilty and be-
fore passing sentence i have this 10
say; That l feel il my duty 10 make
some statement OF the facts concerning
this case. The charges and allega-
tions as printed In the press OF this
city are. 10 certain extent. true. A
number, however. are incorrect and
untrue. That | was drunk. or. 10 use
the language OF the ordinance. under
the influence OF intoxicating liquors.,
Is true. That there was no
palliation or extenuation then,
offense, is also true. That the entire
occurrence Is lamentably. sincerely.
md sadly regretted | can honestly
state. and do so state. ], who have {
here day after day, week after week.
and month after month, dispensing
justice with an honesty OF purpose,
sense OF justice, and every other motive
OF right that cnn possibly actuate an
honest man, can not pass by this great
est offense OF my life. Is IL rightP Is
IL justP Is 1t honorable? Is IL honest
20 myself or 70 the people of this city
10 permit myself 10 60 unpublished TOR
the commission OF an ogense for which
punish others daily? My answer Is
no. Emphatically, MOI
For tramp or "A vagrant lost To
the world. to his home. TO his family
20 de1ency and shame, there may pos
sibly be some excuse in the commits
sion OF an offense OF this character, but
to one OF my past standing la this COM
munity there is no excuse But for
the sake OF one hold most dear, and
who inculcated those early precepts.
which | shall never forget, 1 deem
myself In duty bound 20 show my man
illness, and admit frankly and sincerely
that / have committed a wrong and
frankly ask forgiveness for the same.
81 have made this statement free ly
and voluntarily and with better con-
sideratiou OF the fact that many bet
ter man than has put AN enemy In
his mouth 10 steal away his brains.
but | sincerely hope that this affair
may serve as warning 10 all such as
are beset by that curse OF modern civ
ilization-drink. Upon a repetition OF
this offense / sh all not ask for mercy,
neither will expect IT, In conclusion
| wish TO exonerate and exculpate all
persons from any blame whatever
In this unfortunate affair. The sem
tence OF the court is that the defend ant
pay "A fine OF $50, with the usual alter,
native"
The Judge closed this remarkable
proceeding by handing over TO the
clerk $50 TO save himself from the fifty