The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-09-28
LOgger'S Liens History.
EDITOR JOURNAL:

EDITOR JOURNAL:
The Tribune calls my attention to
the fact that in nay letter I didn't
touch on the "victory," etc. 1 had
done so, but the nature of the matter
requiring what seemed to be self
laudation, I struck out of the article
those parts. The necessity which the
hatred of the Tribune and it's direc-
tors places ine under of supporting
reputation for ability in my profession
should serve as an ample excuse for
what would appear on another occa-
sion as display of personal vanity.
think, however, that even my
enemies must admit that I have
always appeared modest and unob-
trusive, and that I have right to de-
fend myself from misrepresentation
and expose the motive thereof all
must concede.
This case presented the unusual
feature of a test case. The large num-
Der of loggers who had liens drawn
under the old law found that the ex-
istence of those liens were imperilled.
Judge Ballinger had decided that the
repeal of the old law had destroyed
the rights which the lienors had.
This question then was the vital one
in the case, and in addition TO the
eminent counsel who appeared for the
Mill Co and doubtlessly other corpora
ton lawyers interested in like manner
gave the Counsel the benefit of their
suggestions and research. In the
brief and reply brief almost every
authority bearing on the question,
both directly and indirectly, was
cited, and it behooved that I should
make critical study of the cases and
distinguish them, in addition to the
supplying such authorities as support
ed my propositions, and refuting
theirs. 1t was very close case, and
III the power Of the Supreme Court to
adopt either theory, both being we'll
supported by authorities. The find
ing by the Court was in harmony with
my propositions, and humanity. This
result 1t seemed to me proper to dis
tinguish as a victory for the cause of
labor.
How far [ contributed to the result
may be surmised, but, deem it not
lmmodest to say, my brief won much
commentator from those ATTORNEYS to
whom it was submitted, and Was in
formed by Capt. Winsor that Mr..
Aver pronounced it to be one of the
best briefs he had ever read, or some
thing to that effect. Judge Gordon. 7
was told, expressed a like opinion,
The members Of the Bar of Olympia,
Skllman, Kleber, Church and others
expressed very fiattering views in re-
gard to it. 1t would seem that in
this, at least l had not blundered. In
the argument before the Conrt. James
hletei and Senator Allen argued their
SIDE. After the argument Senator
Allen was kind enough to come into
the Clerks office for the purpose as he
stated OF expressing the pleasure he
had ielt IN listening to my every inter
estlng and able argument" was
informed that the Court had compli-
mented my research and argument.
In this 1t does not seem that
blundered, and that the Editor of the
Tribune may not deem it incredible
II he looks through the files of the
Sentinel he will see that the Court
paid me a similar compliment in
shelton VS. Jones. Not day was
wasted IN the progress of the case,
every motion, demurrer, etc., being
called up as soon as possible. The
technlcal accuracy of the liens was
not questioned, and the complaint
was not assailed except by the demur-
rer, thus admitting that in the opin-
ION OF Strive, Allen, Hughes and Nc
Mlcken, most eminent lawyers, both
were perfect and excepting trivial ON
lsslon, repaired in five minutes when
the case came down, there does not
seem to have been any plumbers. 1t
Is true that the opinion OF the learn