Fergus County argus., 1890-11-13

Justice exhibited their desire for Justice
earlier in their careers they might have
been out Of Jail all this time.
The matters alleged in the asIidayiss are
almost wholly untrue. the facts beiag Ms
follows: Some time in October, I do not
recolect the exact date, the wife of w. W.
Bennett came to me and asked me ON sew
eral occasions to go to the Jail and see
Bennett and explain To him why he was
not relea sed on bail as she could not make
him understand. | finally consented to go
il she would let me know when the jailor
would be there to admit me. She came to
me one forenoon and said the iailor had
promised to be there at IL o'clock a. m.
At that time went there with her, but the
Jail WAS locked and ne one in sight. After
waiting about there some time Mrs. Ben
nett went to the window and began talking
to Bennett. Having no secrets to COM
municate ! went to the window, spoke to
Bennett. told him the trouble about his
bonds, that when the question Of juris-
diction Of the Justice Of the Peace to fix
MS bouu WAS Ttibtt Written u state
,nent Of the case to Judge Benton asking
him. in case he thought the justice had no
jurisdiction, to make AN order himself ad-
mitting Bennett to bail in the sum OF 81, 900
on each charge. a total Of 81. 900; that
had not yet heard from the Judge, but
would write him again and il Mr.. Parrott
would take copy Of the justice docket in
the case and present it to Judge Benton it
would hurry matters. I did not work night
and day for Bennett nor did so state,
there would have been nothing to work at.
! did not recommend the Judge to ii 1ethe
bond at the lowest possible figure nor any
thing of the sort, and ] defy anyone to
show where there has ever been higher
bond fixed for any crime short of murder
in this county. Last spring when Julian
Blaker was arrested for his assault upon
Bennett his bail was only 81 900. Bennett
never told me l would never lose anything
by my action. | was not in Benefits EN-
ploy and have not been in connection with
these cases; have not received a dollar or
the promise Of a dollar from him or any
one else for interesting myself IN his behalf
in any way. Mr.. Won Tobel states that
Bennett did not employ "r dismiss him as
alleged, and to say that ] was the only
attorney present to represent the State
and the interests Of Mr.. Bennett, is an
absolute lie. as both Mr.. Morrison and
myself were present and represented the
State only.
I assert without fear Of contradiction
by any one whose ignorance is not phe-
nomenal, that I took only such action in
the ma tier OF bennett 3 bail as the law and
justice required me to do. The law pro-
vides that the class Of offenses to which
BENEFITS belongs is bailable, and in case
he has no one to see that his rights are
respected, as County Attorney. in my semi
judicial capacity as such ! shall SEE that
his rights are not ignored.
I have sent to Hon. G. II. Benton for
the letter written him by me. also "A state
ment of my duties in the premises. These.
together with affidavits as to the correct
ness Of statements herein contained will be
presented to your readers AS early as pos
sibls.
not only shall demand an investigation
of these charges by the proper body to do
so, but invite my fellow-citizens to examine
the records. and il they need it they may
demand my assist ance at any time.
Either am man unfit for any trust, or
the writer aud instigator Of these charges
are villains Of the deepest dye
Respectfully.
FRANK +. SMITH.