Santa Fe daily New Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1885-1897, 1890-08-28
A MAN BEING STABBED IN THE HOUSE
Or HIS FRIENDS.

There are several fool friends of Sheriff
Frank Chavez who are very loud in their
denunciations of the prosecuting officials
and of the grand jury, because these latter
have in accordance with the duty required
of them under their oaths and in accord
ance with the law, investigated the sher-
ifs conduct in his capacity as sheriff and
collector and because several indictments
have been found against the aforesaid
official. There are several members of the
bar concerned therein and several court
officials, so the NEW MEXICAN is informed.
This is very fair illustration of man
being stabbed in the house of his friends.
The plain facts are these: Sheriff Frank
Chavez was indicted first for assault on
two prisoners in Jail then and there
shackled and under his charge. He
pleaded guilty to one indictment and
asked for a change of venue in the other.
If this is political persecution, let the
sheritf's friends make the most of it.
He stands indicted twice for non-feas-
ance in office, namely failing to settle his
accounts and turn public money over as
the law requires. If this is political per-
secution, let the sheritf's friends make the
most OF it.
He stands indicted as an accessory to
the murder OF Faustin Ortiz there is no
question but that the murder has been
committed; we sincerely hope that Sheriff
Chaves will be able to fully clear himself
OF the charge and establish his entire in
nocence; but if the action of twenty-one
men, sworn to perform their duty as
grand jury in finding this indictment on
the gravest known charge against him,
upon what they believed to be sufficient
evidence, is political persecution, then
let the sherif's friends make the most of
this also!
Now il there are members of the bar
here who 80 far forget their duty as citi-
zens and lawyers as to crlticise the action
of the grand jury and of public officials for
doing their sworn duty in the premises,
and if these members of the bar are 80
blinded by personal considerations or
| political bias as to denounce the
officials and the grand jury, it can not
be helped, but it is quite a fearful
commentary and reflection upon the
bar of this district; if there are court Of
ficials in the same boat, the sooner they
are removed from public office the better
for the public good and the proper and
honest and fair administration of Justice
if there are men who are tax payers and
interested in the welfare Of this county
and fair fame and name of this common
wealth who, are acting likewise, it is re-
proach and disgrace to the community.
This is the situation, and it is given in
plain and unmistakable terms. Facts
are facts, and can not be gotten over
this howl Of political persecution and
partisan grand juries may catch few
votes, bat will have no effect on the law
abiding, honest and good citizens, who,
We trust and believe, constitute the vast
majority Of the people of this city and
county, and district and territory, and who
will stand by and do their best for their
own SELF preservation and for their own
good, to support fearless and honest pub
lie officials and the grand jury in doing
their full duty, and in compelling a full
and just enforcement of the laws, made
for rich and poor, high and low, officials
or private citizens and politicians of all
shades.
In this connection, the New MEXICAN
will again say, that all considerations OF
justice, right and equity demand that even
handed justice be administered; that tie
sheriff and all others indicted are en-.
titled to the fullest protection of the law
and to a fair, just and impartial trial.
On the other hand, it had best be un.
derstood, that bulldozing, maltreatine
and intimidating witnesses, jurors and
officials must stop, and that right here
Two cases of attempted intimidation have
already been brought to the notice Of thi.
paper.
If this is not stopped, and that prompt
ly by the men who can stop it, promp
and vigorous measures, so the New MEX
ICAN is informed, will be taken by higher
authorities than the county officials O.
this county, to stop it.
Let the law take it's course; let the &C
cused in this very sad and indeed horri
BILE cass behave themselves as it be
hooves men under such circumstances
and act in law abiding and quiet man