The Wellington enterprise. [volume] (Wellington, Ohio) 1867-188?, 1884-07-30


of criminals.
It is scarcely an open question that
owing to the technlcalities and defects
In our laws, some of which appear to
have beer framed with more reference
to the protection of the criminal, than
the interests of society, experienced
lawyers are annually saving from pun
ishment quite as many criminals as are
brought to justice. Whatever may be
the opinion of lawyers, the average
man does not recognize any legal or
moral obligation to clear client If
guilty; on the contrary they believe the
limit of duty is reached when he pro-
tects the interests of his client, or in
other words sees that no injustice Is
done him, but until we can have a re-
form in legal methods and ethics, 1t Is
certainly due society, that Its rights
should be guarded with equal zeal and
courage and ability, with those of the
criminal.
That the county has just reason to
complain that its interests have not
been properly protected in many instan-
ces, we believe in not only true, but
susceptible of demonstration. As a
writer in the Republican says: "tlle
test of success is not so well ascertalned
by the number of convictions Of every
character, as by those secured by trial
by jury, and measured by this test the
record OF our prosecutor is much
below the average.
Another proof of incompetency, IS
the fact that the commissioners have
paid several hundred dollars the past
year for legal counsel, tor which SER
vice the prosecutor is paid, and would
have rendered, but for a well grounded
want of confidence in his wisdom and
Judgement. And in passing it may be
noted that his most ardent supporter, is
one of the attorneys so employed, and
has received a liberal share of the fees,
and the fact that he finds in
the prosecutor an attorney able to in
terpose but slight opposition to the sue
cessful management of his criminal
cases, furnishes an explanation Of the
zeal with which he enters upon his
defence, and the fierce denunciatlon he
visits upon his opponents.
What has already been said furnishes
good ground for opposition to the re-
nomination of our present prosecutor if
there were no other, but there are
weighter reasons which, when UNDER
stood make his candidacy an insult to
the intelligence and character Of the
Republican party.
The case is briefly this school teach.
er, in Ridgeville, named Hlnckley Sc
duced one of his pupils, and immed-
lately, on the facts becoming known
fled to another state. A requisition
from the Governor was obtained, he was
brought back, and on hearing before
justice, was put under bond Of $1,000,
for appearance at the last October term
of court. He gave bis attorneys secur-
ity, they became his bondsmen, and he
again left the country, not intending to
return, but expecting to forfeit his
bond, If the grand jury should indict
him, unless in the meantime his attor-
neys, johnson & Metcalf, were able 10
effect a settlement Of the case. With
an eye to their fees, they engaged an
influential neighbor for consideration
of $50. to approach the father of the
girl, and induce him and his daughter
not to appear before the grand jury, to
which with great reluctance, after much
persuasion and in consideration of the
payment to him Of $500, he agreed, only
few days before the session of the
grand jury. This settlement was effect
ed with the knowledge and consent of
Mr.. Nye, the prosecuting attorney, the
attorneys for the defendant further
agreeing to pay all costs and fees of
every description, and to give the pros
ecutor 500, for his expenses and trou-
BILE.
1t is cl aimed that the girl declared to
the prosecutor that she would not testify,
or II compelled, would swear that no
crime had been committed, and so the
case was dropped. The public will
judge how much this statement is
worth In view of the recent payment OF
$500, by the defendant TO the father In
settlement, and in view of the further
agreement to pay $50, to the neighbor,
to pursuade him TO accept 1t, $500 Of
which last, by the way still remains
unpaid. To recapitulate; the prosecut-
Ing witness, or her father was paid
$500, the neighbor $40, all the sheriff's
and court expenses were paid by the
attorneys, or on their order, Mr.. Nye
was paid 500, as his share Of the swag,
and the balance Of the $1,000, Messrs
johnson & Metcalf divided betw cen
them as fees. This settlement be 1t
remembered was effected without con-
o,,lkatton NTH lrunu,Iolno - I.I-x