Clearfield Republican. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1851-1937, 1861-10-07
Tux MKASrsr OF MKAsNEsThe last ed these junior and

ed these junior and inexperienced members OF
tho bar, and compelled them to do their
duty. have no doubt he was fully com-
pensated for his services on all these occa'
sions. But II he failed to do those things
when paid by prosecutors, will he now
faithfully attend to them when paid by
the county? BY reference to our county
records, as far as have examined, ! OBJ
serve that every indictment that has been quash'
ed since Mr. SDoope commenced the practice q
la,o among us, he has besn assistant counsel for
The Commc nwcalth But upon this subject
have nothing more to say the record
speaks for itself.
!, The article in tho journal states that an
entire week was consumed, and only one
man coIvic ed. The editor seems 10 go
upon the presumption that every man
tried for an offence must be punished
The laws of our commonwealth ask the
conviction Of no man, until he is fully
proven guilty, and if it is his object to
have District Attorney TO convict every
man OF whatever offence he may be charged,
wheth er trfling or great, it is time for us
t. say &c ID save the community 1t is
not the province Of the District Attorney
to furnish the evidence in criminal case,
but to try the case upon the evidence
brought before him. lfthat is insufficient
to convict even the age and experience Of .Nr.
Sieoope cannot prevent the jury from al
lowing the accused to 60 clear. But the
assertion that the Court was held for a
week is absolutely false. Judge Linn did
not arrive here until Monday evening -
no Court was held on Thursday and the
jury were d,char gcd upon Friday, thus
making but three d,ys OF Court. 1t is true
that but one person vas convicted, but it
must be borne in mind that he was con.
victed upon three indictments; it must
also be borne in mind that this aged and
experienced lawyer. II b. Swocpe, Esq, OF.
ficated for me in other cases i'll which the
jury tailed to con vict the Defendant, and
his eloquence and ability should go as far
as Assistant District Attorney as though
he was Dis,ric. Attorney mself.
In the issue of the Rqttsmans Journai Of
the 25th, in an editorial, the editor ass erts
that "altl ough often present in the
Courts" g.. have made inquiry OF
several OF the officers Of the Court in ref
ereiice TO the visits of this editor to the
temple of Justice and more ofihem can
rccollect Of ever having seen his brilliant
countenancc illumc the same, since he
took charge of the paper. | think under
such circumstances he would I've remarkably
nell qualified to judge Of the respective
merits of members of the bar
II is generally believed among lawyers
that evidence is o. some importance IN
the trial Of cause, and we well now that
in case Mr.. Swoope undertakes cause
without that necessary material, all his
age, experience, eloquence and legal ability
will avail! him nothing.
In conclusion, have but to say that |
have endeavored to serve you faithfully
during my term Of Office have prevcn.
ted over two hundred trifling and un,m-
portant cults from going before the Grand
Jury in that period. In cases of greater
magnitude, | have ever done my utmost
to bring offenders to justice. and if | have
failed the responsibility rests not with me,
as they were all submitted to Jury of the
country. who discharged their duties hon,
estly and faithfully under the oath they
had taken.
f Fellow citizens, my record is before YOU.
That record is TIE criminal record oi your
county tor the past three ears. If in i.
you find ought to condemn me, dare
, not murmur, but if on the contrary you
consider have done my duty ask of
yoI your kind remembrances in the new
, sphere upon which am about entering,
As to the care with which have watch.
ed over the inter ests of our common coun.
ty since have held my present position,
| can but refer you 20 Messrs. John Ir
win, Sr., Geo. Erhard, VIM. McCracktn,
, VIM. Merrell and s. C. Thompson who
, have beer the custodians of our county's
, interests during that period. They can, |
think, inform you that have ever been
scrupulousIy exact, to prevent the pay
ment out OF the county treasury of a sin
gle dollar, except in such cases as was res
qui:ed by law.
Your fellow citizen,
r ROBT. j. WALLACE.
A Card
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