The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-08-07
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST Z, 1901.
HONOR OF the BENCH At STAKE.

~ The Inter Mountain yesterday printed
as much of the Harvey affidavits as
due consideration for the literary stom-
achs of the community permitted. Some
Of the details suggested such indecenc:es
that no newspaper could give them cur
rency without defiling its columns and
offending the moral sense Of those who !
do not lead corrupt lives and who like
to read the court house proceedings
without holding their noses and handling
their newspaper with a pair of tongs.
Yet there are occasions when the news
must be printed, unpleasant though it
may be. There are occasions when ques.
tions Of public safety transcend the
usual observance of the proprieties, and
the present sensational case relating to
one of the departments of the dstric:
court seems to be one of them. Inter-
ested parties on either side may affect
to deplore what they call persecution, or
seek by the invention of counter ac-
cusations to avert the force of the
charges, to divide public sentiment and
to create sympathy for those who stanl
charged with wrong-doing. That may
be cunning policy, but it is not honest,
and will not be effective as ESTABLISHING
the innocence of any man suspected Or
charged with the violation of his oath
OF office. Charges against the accusing
side do not disprove charges against
the accused, particularly when the
UOrmPr nd
can not be traced to any responsible.
source, while the latter are in definite
form, sworn to, filed in the courts and
made part of the public record The
you're another argument is always the
recourse of desperation and guilt.
Four days ago this newspaper, not
beng convinced that Judge Harvey had
brought discredit to the bench, but yet
recognizing the responsibility of his ac-
cusers, expressed it's belief that he would
promptly and unequivocally demand
complete investigation of the charges
against him, that he might be exoner>
ated before the world. We believed that
after his possible vindication he should
dwould begin immediate proceedings to
punish every man guilty of assault upon
his character, regardless of their wealth
or position, regardless of everything ex-
cept that they had accused an innocent
man of personal and official misconduct
OF the most revolving criminal and dis
gushing character. Judge Harvey owed
that much to himself to the men who
RI to
at large among which he dispenses JUS
tlce under the law, and the Inter Noun
tain only expresses the views of his
friends in repeating tnat if he is an in
nocent man he should lose no time. not
DAY or an hour, in beginning the work
OF vindicating his character and conduct.
and proving by evidence given under
oath by reputable people that he has
been grossly misrepresented. Now is the
proper time. His friends are waiting
and expectant The public is aroused
ana interested. The people of the state
and of the county are wondering what
manner of man is this who hesitates to
summon his enemies to the bar of justice
and demand that they either prove thei,
charges or confess their total deprayity .
1t is no longer question alone affect
ang the title to mine. 1t is no longe,
question affecting the public SYM
pathy or hostility to a mining corpora
ton. 1t is no longer a question affect
ing nice points of law or exceptions I,
court rulings by opposing attorneys. A
least, these considerations are no Longer
paramount. The question is: Can the
dignity and purity of court in thi.
state be successfully assailed? Can t.;
Judge on the bench be accused of allow
ing woman to dictate decisions unde
circumstances of the most scandalous
disreputable and corrupt character
without instant denial and disproof? l
Is not an individual matter, but publ
one. for if one company can be deprive
Of it's rights through the interference Q
a hired female worker, any other com
pany may expect the same kind of
deal, and thus the property of no com
pany and no man would be safe fror
practical confiscation. That is anothe
reason the Inter Mountain hopes to Sc
Judge Harvey challenge his accuse1
and dare them to the proof in any cour
and then proceed against them for al
tacking an innocent man, if he is limo
cent.
There is still another reason for sue
Q course on his part. Every newspape
In the United States is printing the Har
Bracket affidavits in full. The Ney
York Sun Of the 4th instant printed tn
whole shameful story on its front page
The result must be of incalculable darn
age to every material and moral interes