Telegram-herald., 1888-03-14
STRONG PLEA FOR CLAY.
A Citizen Who Would Not Vote for Him
Again Objects IL the Present Pro-
ceedf1gs.

To the Editor OF the TELg6EAx-HEEALD
To-Day The taking OF testimony IN the
Clay investigation case viii be resumed.
Mr. Clay and his attorney is to be Needed, l
suppose by night, whether the defense have
finished their testimony or not the case will
be ended by the Attorney General, the find
ing OF the Probate Judse recorded and
Mr. Clay removed, IL Mr.. Taggart has his
way-snd he probably will--that would
certainly be the outcome o. this strange
proceeding. Now. Mr. Editor. ! am free 10
say that ! am not great aonlirer OF Ir.
Clay. 4 Gid not vote Tor him and certainly
! would not vote for him for Prosecuting
Attorney, but | believe in fair play. and
when | see any man prosecuted, IN the
name on .aw especially, then my sense OF
what is decent and right prompts me 70
stand up for the one who Is prosecuted,
especially IS | notice that the daily papers
Tei8se, Tor reasons best known TO them
selves, to critlcise the unlawful methods
employed by the prosecution IN this case.
| believe that at this time | understand the
best sentiment of this community, and that
| give expression 10 il when ] say that lhe
prosecution have failed entirely To make
out case against Nr. Clsy. They admit
that they have failed TO show ne ever re-
ceived one single cent for an unlawful pur-
pose, and they admit furthes that they can
not put their hand on one single case that
has been unlaw fully disposed OIL If this is
true, and no one knowing the facts Will
DENY 1t, then j say II nuSl follow that Mr..
Clay should not be removed from his Office,
and that the extraordinary efforts being
made TO remove him are not honest efforts
of just, brave and impartial prosecutors,
nj mn W 4 N ~
prosecutors, are certainly men who have
made up their minds To crush Mr. Clay aud
ruin him If possible.
Now, Mr.. Editor, | have read over sew
raj times the charges conlainel in the
petition OF Superintendent Smith - who
YOU know admits unCer oath taat be yio-
stes the law aud disregards his solemn
oath OF Office every dsv by allowing houses
of ili-fame 10 run openly every day and
Dight, ana, like the shepherds OF old, an
call their inmates by name, on the grouD d
that they are necessary evils BY all
that is far when / read that testimony. as
| a friend of John Psrry's VINO is the Ds ST
officer Grand Rapids ever had, and ghO
was turned out OF Office because he did not
| suppress entirely these houses. ] said thst
will see that petition asking the Governor
| 10 remove Smith is started before nisht. bnt
| having no political influence, had u give
up ilc iufh. itt.h ltdltatti titiN Nt-ttt- 20
| but Smith sworn confession makes con-
| secuuve thought nigh impossible. 1 Sal I
| naI read and know the four charges made
against Clay, and ] know. and every Body
else knows, that the sin charged is simply
| that Gay talked and SAID too much. But.
| Mr.. Editor and fellow citizens. ask YOU,
| knowing Samuel d. Clay az we do. sud
! knowing his weaknesses as we do, shall We
| not enter our earnest protest against this
D
| To which he was LEGALLY elected simply be-
cause ne talked too much? We admit that
| is a great ia' ling of his. that withou,
| thought or reflection he often saye things
that might better be left unsGid; but we all,
| If honest, would plead guilty 10 that charge.
| But mere talk, especially when IN fun. or
| for the purpose OF drawiDy ont toe other
side. is not enough 10 warrant removal
| from OIhce. ana wnsn Mr.. Claw $ version ol
| the story Is considered. which / suppose
| however, toe Attorney General will not al
| low, it explains even these weak Charges
| away. In The light Of Mr.. Gays official
| record, in the light Of the admitted lac
| that he is not SHOWN TO have ever received
n cent unlawfully, or done any Official act
with . corrupt purpose, l insist tha'
| the organized efforts made by Superi1'en'
dent Smith, Attorney General rsggsrt. Per-
| sonai Enemy Fletcher and Putman's sttor
| ney. Earle. Is simply outrageous, and | Do
| hope that in some way their action may b
defeated.
This case will not end here. Once estsb-
lish the precedent and no officer will b.
| safe. Every man has enemies, and they
| will take this method OF bsrras sing snJ De
| stroying him Ia possible.
Better lst Mr.. Clay stav in his Office foi
nine months than do a wicked act. the
effects OF which viii aeyer oie. JUsIICE.