Autobiography of Charles Clinton Nourse: Prepared for use of Members of the FamilyNourse, Charles Clinton
History
Autobiography of Charles Clinton Nourse: Prepared for use of Members of the Family
Nourse, Charles Clinton
Iowa -- Politics and government; Lawyers -- Iowa -- Biography; Nourse, Charles Clinton, 1829-
It has always been my fortune in life to antagonize men of this
stamp. If I have not as many friends as some men of less positive
opinions, I have the consolation to know that I have reason to be
proud of the character of my enemies.
By what means he has induced eminent counsel, backed by the active
influence of the _Iowa State Register_, to prosecute this case
against Mr. Kidd, remains a mystery. To the oft-repeated inquiries
of members of the alliance for information on this subject his
answers have been evasive and entirely unsatisfactory. Judge Cole
in his letter to Mr. Kidd mentions that certain members of the
export association were being damaged "to the extent of thousands
of dollars daily" by the course pursued by the International
Distillery. "Thousands of dollars daily" is a large amount of
money, and a very grave apprehension exists in the minds of many of
the temperance men of this community that these "certain other
individuals" are not idle spectators in this contest. When or how
Judge Cole and Mr. Runnells or the _Iowa State Register_ came
into the case I do not know--I only know that they "got there."
"... he has no wings at all,
But he gets there all the same."
Judge Cole and Mr. Runnells are also defending Hurlbut, Hess & Co.,
and the six thousand dollars of intoxicating liquors condemned by
the jury in that case. They are also attorneys for Rowe, the man
who shot down Constable Logan. No one, I believe, has questioned
their right to act as counsel for the defense in these matters or
even suggested the impropriety of their employment. I certainly
would not do so. The _Iowa State Register_ has besought the
public to suspend any judgment as to the guilt or innocence of
Rowe, but to await the judicial investigation of the case. This is
certainly commendable forbearance, but why the same spirit of fair
play should not be manifested toward Mr. Kidd pending the judicial
determination of his rights, I cannot understand. Does it make any
difference because Mr. Runnells is defending in the one case and
prosecuting in the other? Surely a man who has invested two hundred
and fifty thousand dollars in manufacturing in our city, by the
advice and encouragement of the _Register_, is entitled to as
much consideration as the man who takes the life of a public
officer whilst in the discharge of an official duty. The statement
that the State Temperance Alliance has ever favored or endorsed the
prosecution of Mr. Kidd is wholly without foundation.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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