The Democratic banner. (Mt. Vernon, Ohio) 1898-192?, 1911-02-17
OF Judge Campbell An Earn.
est Plea Is Made
By A Newspaper Of His Home
Town
What The Ashland Press Says
Of The Case

Under the caption OF Judge Rob-
ert M. Campbell" this weeks issue of
the Ashland Press contains the fol-
lowing editorial, which will be of
much interest here:
1t is matter of deep regret on the
part of many of our best citizens that
the trial of r. M. Campbell in Me-
dina county on charge of aiding and
abetting E. F. Shelley to commit en-
bezzlement. resulted in a verdict
against him.
That this result was not reached
by the jury without difficulty is evil
dent as eight hours were consumed
by the jury in discussion before the
last juror in his favor agreed to an
adverse verdict. 1t seems that the
jury on the first ballot stood seven
for acquittal and five against; and it
was not until eight hours were spent
in deliberatlon that an agreement
was reached. 1t also appears that
the foreman of the jury, after the
verdict was reached, arose and request
ed the utmost clemency to the defend
ant.
The court inquired: as this your
verdict, gentlemen?" And they re-
sponded that it was. For two years
Judge Campbell has been the target
for the shafts of his enemies, but
amid 1t all has borne himself with
patience and dignity, hoping that in
his old age he might spend the few
remaining years of his life among his
friends and neighbors of half cen
| tury in that peace and quiet which his
service to the county of his nativity
have so fully earned
The life of Judge Campbell from
his boyhood has been spent in the in
terests of his fellow citizens of Ash
land county. His education and liter
airy training fitted him to respond to
every demand, and whether on Dec
Grafton Day occasions or national holi-
day celebrations, or county reunions
his utterances were always in har-
mony with patriotic impulses or stim-
ulations to higher life and nobler liv-
ing.
His law practice, for more than thir-
ty years before being elected Judge
of the court of common pleas, was
characterized by manly and dignified
bearing and his treatment of opposing
parties and their attorneys was al
ways courteous and fair. The large
practice he enjoyed and the many
cases most bitterly contested, with
the ablest attorneys of this and ad.
joining counties opposing, necessari-
ly created unfriendly feelings, as most
of his cases were won, but this un-
friendly impulse often became the
warmost friendship. With such great
lawyers as John McSweeney, George
w. Geddes, M. r. Dickey, Judge T. j
Kenny and Others, he stood in our
courts as their equal and never ap
peared to disadvantage. When EN-
ployed in either civil or criminal cas-
es, his client was sure of an able and
untiring advocate, and Ashland county
can point with pride to many cases
wherein he appeared as leading at
torney and won victories in behalf oi
public justice, without the assistance
of legal ability outside of the county
and the expense incident thereto.
His record as common pleas Judge
} is conspicuous for the ability and
acumen he displayed on the bench
His dispatch of bushes was one of his
leading traits. His decisions were
| promptly rendered and his charge:
, to the jury models of elegant English
and sound law. His reelection in 100;
by large increased majority speaks
the volume of plaudit well done"
, With the memory of Judge Camp
( bells nigh standing in Ashland coun
ty since our boyhood, and knowing
his unselfish devotion to the people
5 of Ashland county and his character
) as one of our citizens, this long ex
i. perience at the bar without taint, an(
I his eminent service as common plea.
( judge ior ten years In the Sixth judi
< cial district challenging criticism
{ 1t occurs to us that some mlstak,
$ may have been made, and If not to,
5 late it should be corrected.
: The people of Ashland county, W,
l. are confident, do not demand the sac
rifice of Judge Campbell and neithe
does public justice require it. II,
has not complained against Judge o
. jury passing on his case. Judg
n Washburn he informs us, was alto
!. gether fair in his rulings and hi