A Scandal in Port Townsend
A Superior Court judge abruptly shutters his court amid intense pressure from the local bar association and calls for his impeachment.
The story, cleaned up
A cleaned-up reading of the newspaper page: spelling and layout repaired, one story lifted off a crowded page. It follows the original closely but it is not a transcription. The original page is below; read it if a detail matters.
Superior Judge Morris B. Sachs today surprised his accusers. Soon after opening court, his honor arose and spoke as follows: 'It having come to my knowledge through the newspapers that there have been charges made against me affecting the position I hold in this court, and also that a certain organization, styling itself the Jefferson County Bar Association, has taken steps looking to my impeachment before the legislature of this state, I deem it due to my own feelings and the respect which I have for myself, as well as regard for my friends and the public in general, to refuse to further hear any cause in litigation until such time as these matters can be investigated.' With this, Judge Sachs discharged the jury and left the courtroom. In the afternoon, all the law books of the judge were removed to his home. Later, sixteen members of the bar appeared in court and presented an address condemning the actions of the bar association as 'infamous' and tendering Judge Sachs their sympathy, confidence, and support.
“It having come to my knowledge through the newspapers that there have been charges made against me... I deem it due to my own feelings... to refuse to further hear any cause.”
This reflects the volatile nature of judicial politics in Washington's early statehood, where local bar associations acted as the primary watchdogs of the bench. The power dynamic between local attorneys and a presiding judge remains a recurring theme in civic life.
From readers
No comments yet. If you know something about this story — a correction, a family memory, a source — it belongs here.