The Democratic press. [volume] (Ravenna, O. [Ohio]) 1868-1901, 1890-01-29

WHEN listed for the combat that lay between
| him and elevation to the Prose cutorship of Por
tage County. 1. Fl. Phelps made an aggl essive
| open, manly. and honorable warfare on the
| forces of his opponents and achieved victory
most gratifying to his legion of friends. Elect
| ed under circumstances that have invited with
| peculiar interest public inspection and criti.
cism of his manner of conducting this implr-
tant Office it would be most natural conse
quence for the captious aud fault finding to an
imadvert with unusual severity against him in
his official capacity, and subject his conduct to
most searching examination leaving nothing
unnoticed that frivolous pretext or prejudiced
imagination could suggest, not excepting the
dotting and crossing of his is and It's after the
most approved legal fashion. But so remark
bly, well has he execu ed the trust confided to
him. thus far, that no opportunity has present
ed itself for the exercise of even that harmless
privilege the part OF the most eXacting
mon conformists," while the pablic in general
are pleased beyond measure with his able man
ner of discharging his duties.
The secret OF Mr.. Phelps success lies, in the
first place, to his exceptional fine legal ability
and in the second place, in his proper concep-
tion of the requirements of the office to which
he was chosen. He entered upon his duties by
adopting the theory and practice based on the
correct assumption that the Prosecutors work
is TO simply present the facts. in any case. to
the jury, ard on the evidence thus adduced,
leave them to return a verdict of conviction or
acquittal. This is not only natural justice, but
is in strict conformity to textbook authority,
which urges this very matter most earnestly.
His idea has been exemplifed in the trial of
every case commenced this term. In his ad-
dresses to the jury. he has not labored to con-
Uict at all hazards. and in spite of the e0idence,
but to acquaint the jury with the proof in fair,
unbiased epitome of the facts, and impress
them with true sense of their obligations
both to the State and the defendant. His course
of procedure has been eminently satisfactory
TO Court and Jury, as mt ch by his careful prep
aration of the cases as the avoidance of any
unfair statements against, or flashing" of the
defendant for the reprehcnsible purpose of un-
duly poison ng the minds OF fhe jury against
him. and binding their eyes to the real merits
of the case. The adoption of this course has
eliminated from the court room all needless
E" "haranguing of the jury on the part of the
State-an example which at once inspires the
jury with respect for the speaker. and produces
a salutary effect on those who follow him.
In this way. fully CITY per cent of valuable
time heretofore waste1 In the trial of State
cases, is saved.
Mr.. Phelps unites ability, tact, and Armness,
with expedition and CONDENSED argument
and daily expressions of popular approval are
heard. in repeated declarations, that Mr. Phelps
is one of the best Prosecutors Portage County
ever had.
This is the more gratifying in the light of the
singular abilities of his distinguished prede-
cessor and opposition candidate, while filling
he office to which he was so overwhelmingly
elected three years ago.
The PRESS takes great pleasure in the reali-
zatisn of these pleasing facts. and with equal
felicity directs the attention OF its readers to
,he abundant verifcation of the predictions |
made by those who championed the interests of |
4 Democratic candidate. and labored so zeal
,usly for his election. The people made no |
mistake when they elected 1. H Phelps Prose- |
,utor OF this County, and have the satisfaction |
If seeing the office filled by a man whose abili-
y is sufficient to save the County hundreds of
lollars' worth of assistant counsel, - annually.