Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1916-01-06

this case is that your honor cannot
find against both parties to This suit
From the standpoint of personal merit,
neither of them ought to win. Neither
of them came into court with clean
hands, and | have doubts about their
feet. But Anthony has paid the taxes
for many years on the property and in
so doing has contributed to tho revenue
of the state and county. This is play
ing the part of the good citizen, part
that is new to him and sets awkwardly
upon him, and one that startles the
community with its novelty. But since
he is playing this part he ought to be
encouraged in it by being permitted to
win this suit. When you find one do
ing right for the first time in his life,
the thought of discouraging him revolts
the judicial conscience.
elf it is said that Anthony stole
horses in Missouri, l reply that Doug
lass has stolen homesteads in Kansas.
If it is said that Anthony has been a
detriment to the community | reply
that Douglass has never paid debt he
owed in the community. 1t is is said
that Anthony has been sued often,
reply that Douglass has sued others
twice as often.
81 will admit, youA nonor, that it is
a choice of evils; one of the evils has
/ a hooked nose and the other has peg
leg, but the hooked nose pays his taxes
and the peg leg doesn't, and that is
where my side has the best of it. If
you feel inclined to decide this case in
favor of my opponent because OF the
delightful sentiment that cluster around
his name, and through your M nj should
float the beautiful strain of Douglass,
Douglass, Tender and 1rue,' | ask yoa
to remember that my client claims a
saint among his ancestors. I will adj
nit that the claim never has been al
lowed, but we make it all tho same.
"Your honor may think they are
two old devils together, but | submit
we are not responsible for the age of
Judge Douglass iniquities 70 be sure
the great age of my client is an owl
dence that they whom the gods love die
young, but that does not alter the fact
that he, and he alone of these men, has
paid the taxes.
$50, | ask your honor I'd overlook
the fact that my client has usually
been wrong and remember that now
for once in his life he is right. Let his
wickedness hide itself in a measure be
hind the wickedness of Douglass
can see that your honor is itching to
hit them both, and ordinarily you
could not hit them a lick arhiss, but
pray your honor to remember that you
CAM beat them both, much as they de
serve it, and since you must give the
case to one of them, | ask your honor
to shut your eyes and give it to An
thony.'
Not until Mr.. Atwood had begun tC
speak was there the slightest intima
tion from him what he was to say. Be
fore he was half through every Official
and clerk in the court house had hur
ried to the court room, and the audience
declared that the expression of be
wilderment on the face of Conolel An
thony was exceeded in intensity only
by the seraphic smile of self satisfac
tion upon the face of Mr.. Atwood.
Before the lawyer was half through
Judge Meyer scarcely could control
himself, and the audience was laugh
ing outright. And it is even recalled
that Colonel Anthony smiled when thu
court gave him the decision.