Portage sentinel. [volume] (Ravenna, Ohio) 1845-1854, 1847-10-06
q q Il i d
statistics of the ProsecutOrShip."


In an article under this head in the Ohio
Star of last week, an attempt is made to
show, that the duties of the Prosecuting At
torney were discharged much more econo-
mically for the ''tax-pnyers, by Mr.. Paine
than Mr.. Day during their respective terms
Of Office. The article itself is too contemp-
tible course Of eectioneering to merit no.
tice, as every one knows who understands
the duties of that office; nor should 1t De
noticed were it not for the ''errors" OF the
''statistics'' given. Besides, when one has
such regard for the ''tax-payers" OF the
county, as to seek their suffrages by decep-
ton, the Ealsehood should be exposed and
ought to recoil on his own head.
The Prosecuting Attorney holds his Oh
flee for the term Of two years-the Legs
lature fix the time of each term of Court
every year; and the Court fix the amount
of salary to be paid the Prosecutor each
year; so that the number Of Courts during
his term of office, apdAY salary per year
are no more under his control, than is the
number and importance Of cases that may
arise during his term Of office. Therefore,
no fair inference can be drawn for or a.
gainst either Mr.. Day OR MIR. Paine from
anything stated in that article, admitting
the statements to be true. For the num-
Der of cases and expenses are not in pro-
portion, and the Court records will show,
and every one knows that the expenses Of
prosecuting one case, may be ten times
more than another. For instance, Mr.
Paine had nearly three times as many Ju-
ry trials in one single term, as in all his
other five terms together; and yet the costs
in another term, when there were not one
fifth as many jury trials, were more than in
that term Again. Two cases (lelt on the
docket by Mr.. Tilden, under Mr.. Days
administration, cost nearly as much ior
witness fees Us all the rest during his term
Besides, the defendant in every criminal
case may subpoena as many witnesses os
he pleases, in spite of the Prosecutor; anc
usually the greatest number of witnesses
are called by the defence, and cannot be
prevented by the Prosecutor. From these
statements it will be seen that the Stal
''tabes'' do not show "a comparison decl
dedly unfavorable to Mr.. Days economy
But, are the t'statistics' given in the Sta
correct and true? Not at all. For in
stance, the Star article states that 53 bill
were found by Mr.. Paine. The record
show but 81. Again, it states that Mr.
Paine leaves but four cases undisposed OF
The Court Calendar shows twice that mum
Der. Again, it states that $3.50 salary wa
allowed Mr.. Day and but $500 to Mr.
Paine. The Court records show tha
s5s3, SO have been allowed to Mr.. Paine.
AS to the 500, paid to Mr.. Spaldinl
and Mr.. Humphrey, if any one will exam
inc the vouchers on file and court entries
he will see that this amount was allowe'
them by the whig Judge Of the Court OF
their own application, without any agenc,
of Mr.. Day. Besides, they assisted in tw'
cases left by Mr.. Tilden, and Mr.. spaldint
vas employed by him. Nor was it any
thing new or strange for the Court to max
such allowance. TIE cases they assiste
in trying, (the Randall and Norton cases
were the most important since the McKis
son trials, at which terta in 1887, the Cour
. allowed $3.50, to be paid to different mem
f bers Of the bar for services that term.
f But let us turn again to the statistics
!. and look at the 'stable'' by which the Sta
: seeks to touch the pockets Of the ''tax-pay
:. ers,'' and thus gain votes for Mr.. Pain
s and against Mr.. Day, and see if it will te
s 'decdededly unfavorable to Mr.. Days
n eonomy.'' The Star, article reads as 10
= lows:
y ssTho following table exhibits the amour
p Of witness fees in criminal cases durln
! the fiscal years in question::
u Dov Paine.