Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1858-03-26
Cos, Of Criminal Prosecutions.


The recommendation Of Gov. Morrill,, that
tho several counties hereafter b. required 10
pay the cost Of criminal prosecutions in
their limits, la. awakened public attention
TO this large item Of public expenditure. A
careful examination Of this matter will con.
vince any one, that much larger sun is
run up in nearly all the counties Tor this
object than is necessary. Men often get BE-
hind the " State Of Maine" take advantage
OF the libcmliiy OF our laws, and involve us
IN heavy bills e cost, to gniiiy their per-
soual revenge or malice. and nothing els.
Men often apply for warrants, To mae'-
,ra,cs, and seek the grand jury room, merely
to visit their wrath upon innocent citizens,
who are much better than themselves. Mag.
sirato. aud prosecuting officers should
always exercise wise discrimination In all
matter. Of this kind. In our own County.
scarcely term passes by, bat what the
careful observer can see lursins around the
grand jury room a s,tof people, who, from
motives Of revenge, or other vale purposes,
are ready to pcrjurc their souls to bring dis.
grace upon some u the best citizens in the
County. \ mans reputation in society is
worth every thing to bin. Character with
most men u their capital, aud yet indic,-
meats have sometimes been found. which
an investigation In open court, have proved
not only groundles', bat malicious Tho
mere fact that an indictment has been found,
however sroundlcss the charge, j. lasting
injury 10 any man and while grand jurors
should "truc rrcsen,mcni make OF all
such cases as 20 satisfy them that an offence
has been committed, and the person charged
{, guilty. they should. on the other hand,
shield the reputation of other men, les
guilty aud p,rhar. entirely innocent. We
do not apply tbc.c remarks to any grand
jurors IN oxford County, neither to the
present or any past prosecuting officer in
the same. We make them a. general sug.
ccstiUu., with ~ reference whatever 10 any
particular case or eases, pcrson or per.ou'.
Grcat complaint was made by a certain
elias vhcn the Liquor Laws or 1853. 1855.
were in force, that the public expenses wcrc
increased under their operations bat facts
now demonstrate that our bill. Tor criminal
prosecution have largely increased all over
the state, since their repeal. In our own
County, We are informed by good authority,
that these expenses Tor the pact year were
larger by hundred. Of dollars, than during
any year when the old Liquor Laws were
in operation. II We arc in error upon this
point, we should BE- happy to bc st right.
We have one or two more suggestions to
make in this matter. Let the people hold
those County officers who have their purse
string, IN their hands, to Hr,si aroou1id-
hliy. The people oW, it to thcmseIyc, to
do IL, aud rcmi'sness in this particular Is
neglect Of duty No faithful officer will
even ohecl 10 being looked alter in proper
way. No public man u thi. character will
ever shun investigation. Ono thing more.
Public officer, who are accountable Cor the
disbursement Of the public monies, are not
only placed in a responsible position, but
they they are oiteuumcs surrounded with
perplcuties. \ taithfA public Officer should
be aided in every legitimate way. by every
good citizen in the community in the dis
charge Of hls duties. Every ciTor, at a radi.
cal reform should DO encouraged, and every
public fuuc,ionary who takes - stand upon
this platform. should be hacked ny by an
enlightened public sentiment.