The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1881-05-27
An Explanation.

Mr.. Enron: ~ q
l hope you will allow me little
space in your paper to relate IA few facts
concerning my experience with some
of the public officials in this town and
county. wish to accuse no one nm
justly, but TO state facts, vindicate my
self and show tho treatment that a
man, against whom nothing has been
proved, receives ct the hands of those
who are supposed 10 dispense Justice
and execute the laws.
Last winter was fined for an alleg-
ed but unproven assault upon French
boy, and from that Judgment l appeal
ed. Knowing that 1 was innocent, and
having the assurance of the prosecuting
officer that he thought / was uniustly
charged with the offence, and that, had
he known the true state of the case be-
fore the trial, no prosecution would
have been instituted by him, felt
secure against all attacks from nv epe-
mics. A person whom l supposed
worthy of confidence became my bail.
Before and at the time of the sever.
ance OF my connection with the cotton
mill, offered to place sum ofmoney,
equal to the amount of the bail bond, In
the bank, subject to the order of my
bail, If he felt insecure by signing my
bond.
He refused my proposition on every
occasion, and seemed fully satisfied
without said deposit and of my honest
intention of appearing at county
court.
The states attorney has repeatedly
made proposals to my counsel and to
myself to the effect that he would
remit the whole of my fine and at least
half of the costs, if l would only settle
and relieve the town from bearing the
loss of all the costs. This prososition /
had not absolutely refused to accept,
but had it under consideration, and this
fact was known to the justice, my bail
and the states attorney.
have been in town several weeks
since leaving the mill, and could have
been arrested any time during the day,
but last Teusday night, Just before
dark, l was arrested by the deputy
sheriff on a warrant issued bv said
justice at the request of my bail. all
having full knowledge OF the proposed
settlement, and did not receive the
smallest courtesies that are due TO the
meanest criminal. l respectfully re.
quested the sheriff to allow me a few
moments to consult with my counsel,
Mr.. Carpenter, but this was promptly
refused and at the same time, l was or.
dered to Immediately pay up or 90 to
Jail. l demonstrated, but all to no pur-
pose, and so, ignorant of the law and
the advantages could have claimed
under 1t, l paid the costs of trial for q
supposed misdemeanor of which was
innocent, as would have been clearly
demonstrated at.the next county court,
had l not been taken advantage by
those from whom we expect better
things. If my bail had told me that he
was uneasy in regard to my bond, /
would have secured him as | proposed.
Ii the states attorney and the Justice
had stood by their own proposition and
uttered one word i'm remonstrance
against the course pursued by my bail,
or had the sheriff been generous enough
to allow my one simple request, l
should be in condition to demonstrate
my innocence at tho first sitting of The
county court.
may be mistaken, l may have been
treated as one man would treat
another, but will leave that for the
public to decide. ! will merely say in
in closing, that if the above officials
were as vigorous in prosecuting the vio-
lators of the liquor law as they are in
prosecuting innocent men, temperance
would be the watchword of the people
of addison county.
Yours truly,
JOHN ELL.