Telegram-herald., 1891-02-24
WHYNOT PRODUCE 1T
II Mcqueen Is Citizen He Should
Show Up the Proof
The PEOPLE HAVE 4 RIGHT TO KsON
Whether Tie il oaal1nsd 10 Hold the
once. Rec gAraiess of Lac ssits the
Schemes ~ selfish fsilsieiaas-rL The
Secrecy Maintained a. 4 ssEsss-

/ The Mcqueen case continues TO b.
the topic OF conversation IN local poll
teal circles. Many pretend 90 have no
/ confidence IN the contemplated pro
eeedings, ana Vel they DO not come Tor
ward With any convincing testimony 10
show that such a step would prove
aborIiye. Mr.. Mcqueen himself i very
indignant TO discover that his own
party associates are sIlrrlng up the pool
and creating all tie stencil. One OF his
friends yesterday asserted that when the
time came he would show has hand and
knock has prosecutors silly. A gentle-
man, overhearing the remark, inquired:
"Why is the fact of hs citizenship kept
secret? Is be ashamed that he Is an
American citizen? lie is occupying a
public office 10y the suttrages of the peo-
| pie. IL be IS citizen. there is no
reason on earth why be should with
hold or suppress the evidence of the
fact. Nobody viii mag" him. nobody
! will persecute him, nobody will ques-
ton his right 10 hold the office, If ne
will step forward and publicly show
that he IS a citizen. The public are
| entitled To this much as a matter OF
right. An iunocont man charged with
Il crime viii not hesitate 10 use every
documentary scrap of evidence TO es-
tablish his innocence that ne may
| possess. Sheriff Mcqueen is not charged
with any serious otfense; il is conceded
that he Is az honest man whose word is
as good as hls bond, but the charge IS
| made that he holds an office which he
is not entitled to hold because he is not
a citizen. lt Is in no sense a private
matter, but on the contrary it goes
/ directly TO the foundation of American
| greatness-American citizenship. Mr..
Mcqueen should hasten 10 set at rest
all annoying rumors by at once public
ly showing that he is citizen. AS
public officer, especially sheriff, he
should serve such a notice before any
costly litigation is commenced. 1t VIII
save himself no inconsiderable sum,
besides the worry and trouble of de-
Tending his title TO the Office"
| Ii has been quite conclusively estab-
lished that the Democrats are alone in
their efforts to GUST Mcqueen. The re-
| port that two or more deputies are
back of the movement is without
other foundation than that woman
! once informed one Of them that she
was well acquainted with McQueen's
relatives. The reason why the work is
being done by Democrats has been
| stated, but there Is still another reason,
n Nd
ceedings 10 oust Mcqueen must nee
essarlly be in the nature of "a quo war
ranto. Before such prOceed.n .ngs can be
instituted 1t Is first necessary TO obtain
PERMISSION of the Attorney General of
the State. The decision of the Attorney
General on such a petition is final and
there is no recourse from il by appeal
or otherwise. If he declines to permit
n quo warranto proceeding that settles
| 1t. The present Attorney General is a
| Democrat. Mr.. Mcqueen il Demo
crat. 4 Republican petition for leave to
| start SUIT against a Democratic Office
! holder would be looked upon with
great suspicion, If not contempt. The
case would need To he double barred.
rveted and spiked. and then covered
with coat Of mail TO withstand the
legal objections it would encounter in a
Democratic law shop, where 1ust at
present the question Of an increased
| salary is disturbing the atmosphere.
A very loosely drawn petition from
Democratic heelers and bosses would
| be received with open arms. and license
issued without very much hesitate ton.
Somebody wants McQueen's place,
and that somebody is Democrat.
In Il day or Two Mr.. Mcbride will file
his affidavit, together with dray load
of afiidavits and certified documents
obtained IN Canada. What these con-
tain Is IA much a secret as the contents
of the pleadngs in the GILL divorce
case. Mr.. Mcbride admits that he was
IN Canada, and met many OF the rela-
tives of Sheriff Mcqueen. vino sent bv
HIM their well wishes to the latter.
What he learned or whom he repre-
sented 1t is about as possible 10 learn as
| II would be 10 make an Egyptian
mummy talk. HIS silence on the snb-
iect is so loud as to be painful. "rhose"
said he. "behind this business may tell
you all about Il If they desire to. but
am an attorney in the case for one
purpose only, and until am at liberty
| TO speak. shall not break faith with
my clients"
1T would surprise you" continued
Mr.. Mcbride medtallyely, "bOw
many people there are who exeT-
cise the elective franchise without be-
ing citizens. There are hundreds Of
| men in thls city who have been per
suaded and coaxed into voting when
! the political fever was raging, and be-
lieying that no further steps were neces-
sary TO entitle them 10 suffrage have
honestly continued TO vote"
The belief is gaining ground that Nc
Queens case comes within the state
nlent above made. tt thought that
he came TO tbs country with tae Inien-
! ton Of becoming a citszen. After bav-
/ ing been here for short time. 4 Is 81
legged, he "a hundreds Of others have
done and sre dong today allowed him
self 70 te convinced that ne bad a right
10 vote. and having voted night along
without ever questioning his git % do
so he doubtless bas fallen int0fbe erroBe-
Gus relief that be - citizen T0ls q
merely speculation. tsat tie fsct that
the present senator from Kent ioag
took an sctive part in politics voting
With the regularity Of = chronomet<f.
suddenly became c0gH5zant that Be vas
not q citfzen. AID completed ais cFtlzeB-
shin tut few DAYS before election. a
sHfficent 70 hase the profab lty pron
that NeQoeen h&s done Likewise John
! should have taken counsei of Peter and
followed suit Is = net urged that NJ.
Nct47eea has coTnnsftted = x70seef acf
n accepting tks ofaoe-- bat the average
=. -, r~esr-rs = xfs- ~.s.ssffrfrt erer