Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1891-04-02


to come here and say that be ever did him
wrong. no business man of Y ork county to
come here ard say that any advice that he
ever gave in his office Of counsellor at Law
has ever done his neighbor wrong and with
the thousands of criminal cases that he has
| had, no man can come here aud say that he
has deals cut justice gave with honor. with
| integrity, with fairness. No
any time violated his cath OF offi.e
II is not claimed that he has ever wounded
the State. Now he wants to know why,
having committed no effsnse against the
dignity Of his office, having done the public
DO wrong, having honestly, faithfully, i'm
partially. accurately and brilliantly per-
formed the judicial duties of his tfiice. at
this hour OF his life when the scales have
fallen from his eyes, when his father, his
aged mother, his wife, stand by him; when
the bes. people Of his city surround him
with strong protecting arms. testifying by
their presence they have faith in him, he
wants to know whether, because
Of past offences, past indiscretions,
acts that were Of the dead ages
gone, he is not to be met half way
by the loving. charitable sentiment Of
the people Of this State. There sre crimes
that are objectionable. II the hand of
justice be crossed with the silver and gold
Of bribery, it must be because the nature
of that judge is SO wicked that in the con-
test between good and evil the latter con-
tinually .riumphs. Judge Hamilton stands
before you, as cay, guilty of no offence
ssve that Of having at times drank intoxi-
cstiDg liquors. thank the convention for
the dignity, fairness a1d patience with
which this case has been tried, and / leave
to you young mans life for You to say
whether il shall be saved or wrecked.
Mr.. Baker, counsel for the petitioners:
Mr.. President and Gentiemen Of the
Conrentton--If this were matter affecting
or concerning q private individual should
cerlsiply no: have troubled you with my
presence here. The crimioal courts OF this
StHte would have teen Sufficient to pass
upon and settle this question ard this great
convention representing the common purity
aud sobriety VI the citizens Of this whole
Stats would not need TO have gathered or
to have with irawn itself from its appropriate
and ordinary business to sis here in grave
assembly.
But, Mr.. president this convention is
| k"spSAN' hCAC W y AhI ulucItBt
duty. l cannot quite agree with the spirit
OF the argument Ut my learned friend upon
the ether side that this question involves
nothing more or other than the guilt or in /.
nocence of a sioge individual under speci-
fed charges. The question here il shall
this reserved right uudsr this clause OF the
constitution beneath which you are Assem-.
bled-shall that sleeping sword of justice
rrh Sea- IS Nh.k
put there, he drawn upon an occasion
when the testimony before you shall prove
th,s the public justice of this State is TO be
undermined? Shall it be drawn when
evidence before you shows that the clean
ness and purity Of the administration of the
lac in this State il Vanishing in the case
before you? What is the basis upon which
the State of Msine depends 70. the execu-
lion of her LAYS? These great tribunals
called Judicial, which stretch thei, arm aad
their shield at oBcs across ard over the
people Of this State, depend for the execu-
lion Of their decisions aud decree upon
what? Not upon the force Of
arms, rot upon the mere power that is
reserved to call and pm. into execu.
ton the sheriffs or their posses. bu.
upon the CREST public confidence which lies
benz sth and behind the decisions of the
tribunals that utter them and gives respect
and confidence to these decisions and I,
their enforcement. What Is the feet and
consequence Of the shiog we are ssked to do
here! We cannot by any action taken here
under this clause Of the constitution. pass
upon and determine as a matter Of fact and
aosolateness the guilt OF the innocence
even OF this respondent. This ia MISTER
IN which these two branches in 3int conyen-
ton row and separsteIy afterwards are to be
cslled on to pass on this question. Does
the interest Of public justice and the id
mnistration Of the Lac by law observed
ard not BY law breakers demsnd thai we
should lay this case before the Governor
AID CouDcil for their calm consideration
and Judgement: II you refuse upon your
con.ciepess to set up standard OF jn,i.
cial life and conduct in this State which
shall be open to the charge Of wanionne.s.
of lack OF sobrietv, OF lust and fnaily Of
crime II will simply be In your power to
adopt such form Of address ~ YOU shall
see proper and SEED IL. with q .raosc,ipt OF
these proceedings before the coordinate
bsnch OF the Governor AID his Council for
their deliberate Consideration. Upon what
DIES the action Ct this convent N rest?
Upon the c'suse Of toe CONSTITUTION tost
authorizes The two branches to request the
removal by address Of any public officer
upon cause specified.
Mr.. Baker referred to the Importance OF
the Biddeford municipal court and il
broad jurisdiction. and said that this con.
vensioo muss look scrupuiously into the
conduct OF the Judge presiding over %
august = tribunal.
Mr.. Baker entered into detailed analysis
OF the testimony.
Mr.. Baker vert over the N after Of the
alleged ILLEGALLY executed papers, review.
ing the testimony on that point and claim.
ing that the liberties Of the people sre en-.
dangered hen Judge permits such % Der,
To pass into the hands Of Q subordinate
officer bearing the jsdae's signature,
Passing to the charge Of public irtaxies,iou
on the streets Of Biddeford, Mr. Baker
stated that he pfoposei to pass by every
such act Of intoxica ion, where sisnssses.
independent Of the respondent hin self, had
disagreed. He passed all this 70 con.idsr :
class OF testimony that ssaods uDdi,pused
by ary outaide witnesses. Rspu.abie cid.
zsHs Of the city Of BiddefoYd hsd tesyi 4 "a
70 seeing this judge, Nh ss dirty Ii rs to
observe and esforce pubic order, upon ,hs
q ain thofoSghfsre Of the city Of Bid.,efsrj.
Ia the broad daylight. publicly iotox G v.d.
- ne vtenesees desc. ibsd IL, sisR1triag 10 |
biz VnJk. II II nAsss Il .ts. 1. -