The Baltimore County Union

A Threatening Letter.

On Monday last the fifth day of the month Hope was before our county Court, Judge Emory, upon the Court made the following announcement:

It is proper to state that on last Friday, I received through the mail an anonymous communication, dated Baltimore, February 7th and post-marked the 8th, warning me of the surprise and pain of my friends in relation to my course in this case disapproving of my rulings, expressing hopes and fears, and suggesting effects and consequences to myself. It is unnecessary for me to say that though it professes to come from a friend or friends, they are not my friends but are entire and utter strangers to me. I have only to say that I have placed the matter in a train of investigation that I may punish the improper interference of the writer. For in the catalogue of crimes, there is none more offensive than the attempt to interfere with the course of justice. The ninety-first section of article thirtieth of the Code is imperative. I intend to try the case according to the law and to do so fearlessly of all consequences to myself and regardless of all consequences to others. At a proper time I shall file this letter in the cause so that it may accompany the indictment at all times when it may be investigated.

Mr. Schley, in connection with the above information, remarked:

If your Honor shall succeed in your effort to find out the person or persons who have been connected with that letter, I am sure the counsel on both sides will heartily approve of the severest punishment to be inflicted upon the transgressor. Of course, there is no counsel upon either side, connected with the case, who would for a moment sanction such a violation of the dignity and uprightness of this court, especially with gentleman who has been distinguished by his courtesy to counsel upon both sides, and by his even temper in the whole conduct of this cause from its commencement up to the present time.

Mr. Preston followed with the remarks:

I deem it proper to say, in addition to what has been said by my distinguished brother, that we cannot but meet with sentiments of abhorrence the attempt on the part of any individual to interfere with the court in the discharge of its duties. I cannot conceive how any right-minded person could, for a moment, have entertained such an opinion, much less to have given expression to it. Most unquestionably, since your Honor has been presiding over this trial, with respect to the gentlemen on the other side, and to ourselves and in regard to the law, we have only seen, on the part of the Court, a dignified determination to see the case conducted in such manner as might not only meet the approbation of this court, but the approbation of the community generally. Your rulings, whether for or against us, have been listened to with calm respect, and certainly we have been treated on both sides, with unvarying courtesy.

Mr. Radcliff said:

I subscribe to everything that has been said by counsel upon the other side. Of course, it is not necessary that anything should be said by the prosecution: but I cannot refrain from saying that we cannot imagine any justification or excuse for such a course, and cannot perceive how any man, who is not utterly depraved, could have taken such a step as that: and we do not believe that any honest person has any participation in this matter. We most cheerfully and heartily subscribe to all that has been said upon the other side.