Audubon County Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Audubon Co., Iowa) 1885-1894, 1890-01-30
A JUST JUDGE.
How California Police Justic, Plead
Guilty to a Big Drunk.
He Argued tho Case Against Himself in
Eloquent and unanswerablo Language and
Imposed Good, Round Fine Which he
PROMPTLY Paid .a& W

.
Everybody In Oakland knew Police
Judge Laidlaw had been ON u bowling
racket, says tho san Francisco Alta.
Tho papers had rccounted the story OF
that wild debuuch at the white house
and people wondered what the out
come would be. Tho spree was fit
tingly concluded Yesterday by the ar
rest OF Judge Laidlaw and tho imposi-
ton of fine OF 900 The amusing
part of the affair is that tho judge
ordered his own arrest. fined himself.
and also paid the fine,
There was rather moro than the
usual attendance at tho Oakland police
court yesterday aud Il ripple OF OK
citomont ran around tho room as the
Judges voice was heard pronomcing
tho words: "Mr Bahilf, you will
place Alexander Laidlaw under arrest
for violating an ordinance. Mr. LAID
law Is released on his own recognize
ance," continued Judge Laidlaw.
"Mr, Clerk. you will enter that namo
upon your docket and he pleads
guilty"
Judge Latdlaw adjusted his glasses,
took u roll OF manuscript from his
pocket. slipped OIL the little band,
opened out tho roll, and read rs fol-
"Alr. Clerk, you will please enter
upon the docket Of this court Il charge
OF violating an ordinance OF thc'city OF
Oakland against Alexander Laidlaw.
To this charge | plead guilty aud be-
foro passing sentence have this to
say: That feel II my duty TO mako
some statement OF the facts concerning
this case. The charges and allega-
tons as printed In the press of this
city are, To u certain extent true. A
number, however ARE incorrect and
untrue. That ! was drunk, or, to use
the language OF tho ordinance, under
the influence OF Intoxicating liquors.
is true That there was no
palliatlon or cNtenuntion then
nor Is there now, for this
oi1ense, Is also true. That the entire
occurrence is lamentably, sincerely,
and sadly regretted ] can honestly
state, aud do 30 state. |. who have ST
here day after day, week ufor week,
and month nftor month, dispensing
justice with an honesty OF purpose,
sense OF Justice, aud every other motive
OF right that can possibly aetunto an
honest man, can not pass by this great
est ,ollopso OF my life. Is It rlghlP Is
II jq5tp Is IL honorableP Is honest
TO myself or TO the people az this city
10 perinit myself TO go unpublished Tor
the commission OF an olfenso for which
| punish Others dailyP My answer Is
mol Emphatically, no!
For tramp or II vagrant, lost to
the world, 10 his home. To his family.
10 dctency md shame, there may pos
sibly be some excuse In tho commits
sion OF nm offense OF this character, but
10 ono Of my past standing In this COM
munity there Is no excuse. But for
the sake of one | hold most, dear, aud
who inculcated those early precepts,
which ! shall never forget, | deem
myself in duty bound 10 show my man
iiness, and admit frankly and sincerely
that ! have committed wrong aud
frankly ask forgiveness for the same
IL have made this statement free ~
and voluntarily and with better con-
,ideration of the fact that many q bot
ser man than has put 'an enemy I'm
mis- mouth TO steal away his brains,
out ] sincerely hope that this affair
nay serve ms a warning TO all such Ms
are beset by that curse OF modern civ
ilization drink. Upon arepetitlon OF
this oilenso ] sb all not ask Tor mercy.
aeither will loxpcct II, In conclusion
n i. -. y. ...I l.. A
persons from any blame whatever
IN this unfortunate affair Tho sen
tenco OF the court is that the defendant
pay fine OF $50, with the usual alter
native" 49,
Tho judge closed this remarkable
proceeding by handing over TO the
clerk $50 TO save himself from the fifty
days sojourn in the county jail.