The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1908-01-06
JUDGE PALMER SCORED BY
CRANSTON CLERGYMEN

Two clergymen in his district yesterday
scored Judge Henry A. Palmer OF the
Eighth district court for his action In APP
pearing before the Cranston common
council as counsel for applicants for
liquor licenses early last month.
The Rev. Thomas f. Bartlett at the
Pawtuxet Baptist church declared
Judge Palmer has deliberately taken a
course OF action certain to impair the
confidence OF the great body OF good
citizens" and the Rev. c. Conal MacI<ay,
at the Thornton Congregational church.
said that Judge Palmer has laid aside
his dignity and honor as a judge to aid
rather than destroy the violators OF our
laws by defending them in their petitions
for nefarious trafflcklng and opposing the
petition OF law-abiding remonstrants."
MR.. BARTLETT'S SERMON.
Rev. Mr.. Il rtlett said, In part:
1T is well-nigh certain that public sem
tment is not favorable to the reelection
OF Judge that neds TO defend himself
In the public press against serious COM
plant. have no hard words TO say
about any man. certainly not one for a
Judge In our courts. ! am sorry for any
man who units himself for advancement
and honor. Judge Palmer's friends must
regret and be at loss to account for, his
strange choice OF a few fees for attorney s
work in preference to the dignity and
honor OF years upon the bench.
"A Judge should be entirely free from a
suspicion of leaning toward the law
breaking class OF men; Judge Henry A.
Palmer has consented to appear more
than once as the paid attorney OF persons
not unlikely In the course of events to be
brought before him for trial
"A judge should possess and seek TO re-
tain the confidence of the great body OF
good citizens. Judge Palmer has delb-
erately taken a course OF action certain
TO impair that confidence and he has
| even heralded abroad that base men have
deemed IL safe to approach him with a
| bribe.
"A Judge should be credited with good
degree of discernment OF moral distinc-
| tons, but Judge Palmer seems unable Ia
| perceive what is plain to many, and open
| ly declares that he sees no wrong in his
course. The confession OF the blind that
| he cannot see must be taken I'm silence
and pity, but all will agree that obscure
| discernment would be out OF place on a
bench OF Justice.
WORK NOT FOR JUDGE.
' No doubt the liquor traffic for some
time TO come, viii require and seek at
| torneys to plead its cause. but the Ameri-
can people becoming aroused to the So
cial damage of the saloon, are not likely
10 allow their judges to be at the call
| OF that traffic.
Benjamin Franklin said that painters
| In their art had been unable to distin-
guish between rising and setting
sun. Early In his political career Judge
Palmer has mal common mistake,
laying costly Offering upon the altar
OF setting sun. He says he has right
10 do this. but his firm defence only
shows his lack OF discernment OF values.
his deficiency In perception OF fine mor-i
distinctions. and this. II must be con-
ceded. is serious disqualification for
the responsible duties OF a judge in a
court OF law
Every vote for Judge Palmer will be
vote against man who is above reproach
and does not need 10 defend himself in
the public press against mstrust."
MENTIONS PALMER LETTER.
The Rev. Mr.. MacKay said:
You are aware OF the circular letter
listers in the towns OF Johnston. Cranston
and Scituate recently for the purpose OF
enc0mpassing the defeat OF Henry A.
Palmer In the election 20 the position OF
Judge OF the Eighth district court u is
considered a direct blow against good
government. a perverting OF Justice and
a lowering OF offitiai dignity for him to
ally himself with the cause OF lawless
characters when he boldly and arrogantly
decla ared himself 10 be not ashamed TO
identity himself with the chief officer OF
the town OF Cranston. who. you know,
did not and would not perfor12 hls solemn
sworn oath 10 enforce the Sabbath laws
In the town OF Cranston. and which