The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1898-07-28
METHODS OF A JUDGE
THEY ARE SHARPLY CRITICISED BY
BENTON COUNTY LAWYERS.
History of the Contempt Cases Re-
Gently Appealed to the SUI
preme Court.

The appeal Of a number of Benton county
lawyers to the Supreme Court, which has
Just been filed, from the decision of Judge
Simon p Thompson, of the Thirtieth ju-
dicial circuit who fined the lawyers after
having found them guilty of contempt of
court, has aroused great interest in the
northern part of the State, or. rather, the
story of the case is what attracts attention
ard comment. Judge Thompson lives at
Rensselaer, and his circuit is composed of
Benton, Jasper and Newton counties. Prior
to Judge Thompson's elevation to the bench
he was looked upon as an able and agrees
sive lawyer, and he has lost none of his ag-
gressiveness. The attorneys of that section
of the State are of the opinion the judge
presides more on the order of common law
practice than on the code as recognized by
the statutes of the State. 1t is claimed the
judge has taken to himself the provinces
OF both judge and jury, and has cut county
officers fees down to very low point. 1t
was because the bar of Benton county be-
lieved these things of Judge Thompson, and
thought he needed public criticism, that the
twelve members of the Benton county bar
met and passed certain resolutions finding
fault with the judges way of dispensing the
law. The resolutions advised the court to
change his bearing toward the members of
the bar, to cease his invasion of the legti-
mate province Of the jury in the trial of
causes and ended with the following words:
Therefore be it resolved by the members
of the bar Of the Benton Circuit Court,
That a copy of these resolutions be for
Warded to the Hon. Simon P. Thompson,
and that he be requested to carefully con-
slider the same, to the end that the admins
tratiOn of justice be restored to it's ancient
dignity and respect
The resolutions were signed by all the
members of the bar association and a copy
was forwarded to Judge Thompson. The
judge replied in a letter which gave no idea
that he intended to discipline the attorneys.
In the meantime the resolutions had been
printed in newspaper. AS soon as a copy
or the newspaper was shown to the judge
ne had the attorneys indicted for contempt
or court and fined each of them. Wallace
and Louis Snyder paid their fines, 50 each.
but the rest of the attorneys decided to APP
peal the cases. The following are those who
appealed and the amount of their fines:
James T. Saunderson. So; Gilmore BARGE, 50:
Dawson Muth, So Guy L. Neff, SO; VIII
Isham S.; Charles NJ. Snyder, So; Meade S.
Hays $l5; Daniel Fraser $25; e. G.. Hall, $40.
LAWYER FINED FOR PROVOKE.
A few days after the contempt proceed
ings Daniel Fraser, one of the leading men
of the Benton county bar, and the one who
was fined most heavily, met Judge Thomp-
son on the street in Fowler, Some harsh
words passed between them, after which
Judge Thompson proceeded to the court
house and fined Mr.. Fraser $50 for provoke.
The fine was paid
A short time after this Judge Thompson
called the members of the bar together
when the court was not in session, as the
members presumed. Judge Thompson had
said he wished to have. a quiet talk with
the attorneys with the idea of settling the
whole matter without further nOtOrietV.
Each member was asked by the judge for
his candid opinion of what could be done
to remedy the troubles in the county bench
and bar. The opinions were given very
freely AS soon as all had spoken the judge
declared the court was in session and pro-
ceeded to fine each member of the bar for
paid except Daniel Fraser, who was as
sessed $25, and Charles NJ Snyder, who was
fined SIS. 1t is noted that Attorney Fraser
was fined $25 three times, 1t seemed to oc-
cur to Judge Thompson that it was time to
make declaration of principles; therefore,
he said it was his decision that 1.-The court
was at all times present and in session in
the body OF the judge, and that. crime
committed in the sight of the judge, in or
out of court, should be peremptorily pun
ished without jury trial"
The attorneys, in appealing the cases to
the Supreme Court, are of the opinion that
Judge Thompsons court is only in session
at the times prescribed in the court calen-
dar. Furthermore, they contend they have
the right to freedom of speech and to make
fair criticisms of q man, be he judge or no
judge. Because of the swords point con-
dtion of affairs business in the Benton Cir
cult Court is at standstill. There was not
a case tried in 1t during the four weeks of
last term.
Indiana liquor statute to be that it is un-
lawful for a citizen to give liquor to a guest
or a member of his family at his own pri-
vate house, or his own private apartments,
on legal holiday, or between the hours Of
IL ID. m. and a, m.