Indian chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1882-1902, 1895-10-17
IN THE COURT ROOM.
A MISCELLANEOUS COLLECTION OF
INTERESTING NOTES.
Biographical Sketch OF Judge Springer
Grand Jury RepOrt-A Remarkable
Money Finding Case Other Court
Matters.

Money Finding Case e-Other Court
Matters.
Judge Springer who was ap-
pointed to the judgship in the
northern district of the Indian Ter
ritory in March last, comes to us
after a congressional career filled
with honor, a contented man, the
result of having always worked for
the elevation Of all the people.
He was born in Sullivan county,
Indiana, and when twelve years
old moved to Illinois with his par
ents, attending school at Illinois
college, jacksonville, and after
ward at the Illinois state univer-
versity, Bloomington, where he
was graduated in 1858. He then
devoted himself to the study of the
law, was admitted to the bar in
1859, located in Springfield and
practiced his profession there for
many years. His first two years
there were the last two which
Abraham Lincoln spent at his old
home, and Judge Springer prac-
ticed in the courts with him dur
ing that time.
He continued the practice of law
in Springfield and was elected to
the forty fourth congress and
represented the Springfield dis
trict for twenty years continuously
until March 4th last. While he
has always been a Democrat and
has been a leader of his party in
the house, he was at no time
a narrow minded man His first
and only thought was to do right.
In all legislation he endeavored to
do that which was for the public
good, and his career is one of hon.
or without spot. Elected as
Democrat to represent a Demo-
cratic district he always supported
that party in measures of gener-
al character, but in the thousands
of calls which were made upon
him for assistance while in Wash
ington he never questioned the
politics of the applicant. 1t made
no difference. He considered all
the people in his district his con-
stituents without regard to wheth-
er their vote was cast for him, and
because he was faithful to them
all he continued to represent them
in the councils of the nation for
two decades. His fame for kind
heartedness spread throughout his
state and beyond its borders and
calls came to him from all over
this broad land. He always as
sisted when he could and when he
couldn't he promptly advised all
those who wrote to him, and as he
replied promptly to all inquiries
the people learned to depend upon
him and many who had no claim
upon him often sought his counsel, e,
and his sympathy was ever extend
ed to them.
Judge Springer has always been
student. He is never happier
than when engaged in the study of
some knotty law problem.
Throughout his congressional ca
reer he gave his time and thought
to the consideration of every i'm
portant measure, and always con-
sidered it his duty to be in his seat
on the floor, and the fact that he
was always in his place accounts
for his ability to respond quickly
to any question concerning the
legislation of the past twenty years.
He comes with a full knowledge
of legislation within that time and
because he had to do with the
framing of the laws he is better
qualified to construe them. In
deed the people of this judicial dis
trict are fortunate in having in this
man not only just judge but one
fully versed in all the federal laws
which are in existence over this
Territory, for there is not one of
them which he did not take part
in enacting.
One of the largest cases in which
Judge Springer was ever engaged
was in recovering a million dollars
for the United States government.
When the centennial exhibition at
Philadelphia was being arranged
the managers came to Washington
and asked congress for 81, 100000
to aid the project. The amount
was granted but with the provis-
ion which was inserted by Judge
Springer that before the stockhold-
ers should share in the profits from
the exhibition they should first pay
the United States the amount ad-
vanced. The centennial was held
and passed away. The stock hold
ers divided the profits among
themselves without reimbursing
the government. The government
entered suit against the stock
holders but the United States
court at Philadelphia decided
against the government. The at
torney general appealed the case
to the United States supreme court
and remembering thatit was Judge
Springer who suggested the inser-
ton of the clause in the bill which
provided that the United States
should be reimbursed for its 81.
100000 advanced before the stock
holders should share in the profits,
he at this juncture called Judge
Springer into the case and gave
him full charge of it before the
supreme court. He prepared his
case so well that he reversed the
judgment of the lower court and
compelled the stockholders to pay
into the treasury the 81 ,000,0
which they had borrowed. Fol
this service in saving the govern
/ ,naDt q p1illion dollars Ju1Ue