The Columbian. [volume] (Bloomsburg, Pa.) 1866-1910, 1901-10-24

The papers of the state generally,
except a few stslwart organs that
would defend highway robbery if done
by one of their candidates, condemn
Justice Potter for his course. 1t shows
that he acted more as a paid attor-
ney determined to win his case than
a member OF the highest judicial body
of the state. Following are some of
the opinions of leading papers of the
state
Philadelphia North American.
No greater infamy could be charged
against a judge. The offense alleged
is not a mere impropriety 1t is
crime punishable by Impeachment and
perpetual disqualification to hold any
Office of honor or profit 1t is incredi-
BILE that reputable newspaper would
make such an accusation without alb
solute certainty of the completeness
of it's evidence, and evidently The
Press has not the least doubt of the
accuracy Of it's reports of Justice Pot
ter's conversations with Governor
Stone
Philadelphia Times.
The Press has published at length
the alleged conversations by telephone
between Governor Stone and Justice
Potter, in which they discussed the at
titude Of the supreme court upon the
ripper" legislation and Justice Pot
ter's successful efforts to bring about
decision in favor of the machine.
This extraordinary exposure should
make impossible the election to the
supreme court of an appointed men,
ber who has not only betrayed its
secrets but dishonored its integrity, if
1t does not make impossible his fur
ther presence in the court. 1t mat
ters not how this conversation was
overheard and recorded. The report
Is positively vouched for and its au-
thenticity was practically admitted at
Harrisburg by the passage Of an act,
under machine direction, making the
betrayal of telephone messages a
penal offense.
Pittsbarg Dispatch.
The charges preferred against Jus.
tlce Potter and Governor Stone by The
Philadelphia Press, in connection with
the Pittsburg charter bill, lack the
element of freshness. They were pub.
lished last winter in a general way,
ana We're promptly denied by both
Governor Stone and Justice Potter
Now, after many conferences of insur-
gents and Democratic leaders, they
are renewed shortly before the slev-
enth hour of a political campaign,
without giving the name Of the man
who made them, but shrouded in even
greater mystery of anonymity than
ever-yet with a degree of circum-
stantial detail that most positively
calls for an answer in more authorita-
tive form than hitherto given. No af
fidavits accompany them and no proof
is given whether they emanate from
a responsible man or a professional
campaign liar, yet they are published
by The Philadelphia Press in ls larg-
est type, attended by declarations
from that journal OF its entire respon.
sibility and bold challenge to the
governor or Justice Potter to deny
them il they can.
Philadelphia Record.
In May last The Press startled it's
readers by the publication of Har.
risburg dispatch accusing Justice Pot.
ter OF the supreme court, of having
made improper disclosure to Cover
nor Stone of the impending action of
the court with reference to the con.
tested constitutionality of the Pitts
burg ripper" legislation The gov.
ernor and Justice Potter both denied
the truthfulness Of the publication
but the charge was reiterated by The
Press and it's verify measurably con
firmed by the subsequent decision OF
the court when announced.
The Press has republished its dis
patch OF May /. with further confirma'