until, at length, after many weeks of seclusion and intense suffering,
in the early part of August, he was able again to make his appearance
upon the streets. And now that his recovery was assured, the question as
to the disposition to be made of the author of his dreadful sufferings
was one of the most difficult imaginable. It seemed at first impossible
that the Executive Committee should reach a conclusion acceptable to the
Board of Delegates, and in which the whole organization would concur.
The meetings of both branches were frequent, long protracted and stormy.
At length a majority of both Boards determined that though his guilt was
unquestionable, under the circumstances the first penalty prescribed by
the Code did not apply. The second, that of banishment, at first
approved itself to a majority of both Boards, but, after anxious
consideration, it was deemed to be impracticable to carry it out, and
make it permanent. It was therefore decided to dismiss him with a public
notice of their belief in his guilt, and that the people of the largest
County in the State were of opinion that he should resign the Judicial
Office he held, and for which they deemed him unfit. Accordingly at an
early hour in the morning his prison doors were opened, and he was
permitted to go at large. In the afternoon of the same day he took the
steamer and returned to his home in Stockton. No sooner was the
decision, and the action of the Executive consequent upon it,
promulgated, than a wild storm of passionate excitement broke forth,
which threatened for several days the very existence of the
organization. But the Delegates met their respective Companies;
explained the action of the two Boards; gave the reasons for it in full;
answered all questions; urged every consideration likely to remove
suspicion, allay passion, and inspire confidence; and finally, with
infinite difficulty, the perilous crisis was passed, and acquiescence,
if not entire satisfaction was secured.