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Mac Swinford “Gentlemen,” he said, “Gentlemen, that wasn’t the hand of a bootlegger that put that whiskey on that stump . . .” Here this superb actor drew closer to the jurors and bent toward them with his hands on his knees. The jurors were fascinated and automatically leaned forward in their seats. The orator then glanced slyly over each shoulder and placing his hands cupshaped about his mouth said in a stage whisper, “it was the hand of Santa Claus.” He turned and sat down. The suppressed laughter in the court was lost on the matter of fact and entirely unimaginative young county attorney. In his speech he argued strenuously for a conviction and concluded with, “Now, gentlemen, you know that wasn’t nobody but a bootlegger because there ain’t no Santa Claus.” The jury took the written instructions and filed out of the court to their jury room to consider the case. In twenty minutes they returned and the foreman read the verdict: “We, the jury, find the defendant not guilty.There is a Santa Claus.” Some confusion One of Kentucky’s most illustrious sons was the Honorable John G. Carlisle of Covington. Mr. Carlisle had a distinguished career at the bar and in the public service. He practiced etensively throughout northern and central Kentucky for several years and was a friend and associate in various cases of my father who admired him so much he named his first born son for him. Mr. Carlisle served in various governmental capacities and was a member of 7 Kentucky Lawyer the Cabinet as Secretary of the Treasury under President Grover Cleveland. Notwithstanding his eminence, he had a failing which was not uncommon to the prominent and successful lawyer of that day, and, for that matter, holds over to a degree to our generation. He would on occasions imbibe too freely and was known at times to become intoicated. It is said that he was one of the most convincing and eloquent speakers of his day. During the heated presidential campaign of 19, in which the free silver issue was uppermost, Mr. Carlisle was first against free silver and later for it. He is said to have made the greatest gold standard speech of the campaign when he was on that side of the debate, and, after changing, made the most effective speech in favor of free silver that was delivered during the campaign. He was a friend of another colorful Covington lawyer , Theodore Hallam, who had some of the same convivial habits. On an evening in Covington, Mr. Carlisle, Mr. Hallam and three or four more of their lawyer friends were having a few drinks at a popular tavern. About one o’clock in the morning the bartender suggested that it was closing time and the gentlemen would have to leave. This they did without incident. Arm in arm they wended (with emphasis on the word “wended”) their way homeward. They came first to Mr. Carlisle’s dwelling and without thought rang the bell. Mrs. Carlisle raised an upstairs window and inquired of the group what they wanted. One of the gentlemen stated that they had brought Mr. Carlisle home. The lady said, “Very well, just open the door and put him in the hall.” The quick-witted Hallam imme- [44.200.77.59] Project MUSE (2024-03-28 20:39 GMT) Mac Swinford diately responded, “Madam, I’m afraid you will have to come down and pick him out.” Lawyers and politics Most lawyers because of their training are interested in politics. The very fact that their minds turn toward government and law as a chosen profession indicates that there is a bent to hold office or at least to participate actively in political battles for their friends or for leaders whom they admire. They are as a class militantly partisan and adhere to their own political party with dogged loyalty even when issues may turn away those of less steadfast faith. Formerly, probably to a greater etent than at present, it was looked upon as the unpardonable sin for a Democrat or Republican to desert or “bolt” his party’s nominee. By such act he stigmatized himself and seriously jeopardized any future political ambitions he might have or might later acquire. I suppose it was because of the Civil War that this feeling was at times not only deep but aroused anger and emotions that engendered a hatred that lasted for a lifetime . Kentucky, because...