Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1873-05-27
4 Pertinent Question.

IN view Of the dcspicable and outrage
oGs proceedings 10y government officials
in getting decent men into scrapes and
then Matchmaking them, the Argus asks
The following proper question: Has the
L. :. Government become d. Biackmail-
Ing Agency" L, says that Nh. Marble,
the L. :. Marshal, himself took the mon
ey out Of Mr.. Hill, OF Bridglon, and Dr..
Burnham. Of Deumark-boih OF which
cases, ii correctly reported, are disgrace
ful to all encorned in them. In each case,
q little spirit was coaIsi cut of men who
are no, dealers, to relieve sufleriug-real
or pretended.h makes no matter which
and the miserable pimps become COM
plainants. Weare told tia, the District
Attorney, Mr. WeJb,aud the Marshal, and
L. $. Commissioner say that when com
plants Of violation OF tue law are made
to them, they have no discretion in the
matter. aud must proceed
The United States Counts are 50 far le-
moved from the people, that = sort Of
dread attaches to anything connected
with them. The fines are iargtr, the fees
ofall connected with the courts are bigger,
proceedings me Instituted before L. 5.
Commissioners, in private chambers, and
parties are brought before L. 5 judges,
who wear black gowns and the great L.
:. government stands behind The
Clerks OF the Cour, and the Judges are
life officers, and everything is august and
impressive and terrifying tu the people
A different practice prevails about arrest
ing parties accused OF crime. No delay
OF bonds ale allowed, but the party must
20 to Portland at once, and the fine Tor
violating the liquor law, even technically,
instead OF 500. as in our State Courts,
under cur dreaded Maine law, is hoU-
SaAd dollars, SAY the officers, and the rules
Of evidence that prevail in our State
Courts, and which are such a protection
against JalS6 s'rcU'iHg OF IaScally inform
ers and pimps, TO wit-the right OF testi-
flying in ones own behalf. are different
Now We don't 5elierc that the District
Attorney. or L. ). Commissioner, or L..
5. Marshal, are bound by any rules Of
the l. 5 Court. which deny them dis
erc,i0n in the initiatory proceedings in
that Court different from those com.
nonsense legal rules that apply 10 State
officers occupying similar positions.
1t istbc reriesi nonsense e., tie r0rld 20
say that q L. 5. Dis,ric; Attorney has not
the discretion in commencing or advising
the commencement OF legal proceedings
for the District Attorney draws the legal
document upon which proceeding are
based-ihat County Attorney has.
4 is charged that the [. 5. officers are
getting large amounts of money out of
these Ubiquitous proceedings. If they
are, zee hold them acc0Naiablc They are
not obliged To institute proceeding upon
the testimony OF men who resort To such
mean and contemptiblc practices a. have
been exposed.
Il there is no discretion, why are cases
settled after proceedings are commenced,
by getting what they can out Of the vie
Tins? If they can be settled after pre-
cepts are issued, much more could they
be, before.
The [. 5. Laws and lis officers may
have terror TO the people, but let either
be used as instruments TO Cypress and
fitch from them their hard earnings. and
the law officers would find power that