A Lumber Case Becomes a Political Weapon Against Judge Carey
Opponents whispered that the judge reversed a jury in secret. A witness says the ruling came in open court before 200 people.
Judge Carey’s enemies are endeavoring to make political capital against him in a decision concerning a lumber case at Meyers Falls. They have even gone so far as to say that the judge, in making his decision reversing the action of the jury in the case, did so in private, not wishing any publicity in the matter. One who was present informs The Miner that the decision was given in open court in the presence of at least 200 people. The judge’s decision may be wrong, but at least he was not endeavoring to hide it from the public.
“The judge’s decision may be wrong, but at least he was not endeavoring to hide it from the public.”
Judicial races were not supposed to be partisan in 1908, but a judge’s rulings could still be dragged into a primary fight. The charge—that an unpopular decision was made in private—is an old template for attacking courts, and the defense is equally familiar: transparency as the answer to political accusation. The Meyers Falls lumber case reminds us that local courts have always been part of the civic weather, not a sphere above it.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.