Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1891-03-02
CLERK LONGS CASE.
The Mandamus Proceedings Against Hin.
Answer to Clark's Charges.


The Mandamus Proceedings Against Him.
Answer to Clark's Charges.
Special Correspondence Of the Rtgister.
CIAEKSBURG, W. VA, February Is
A full account of the proceedings OF
Arthur Clark against 7. NJ. Long, clerk,
has already appeared in the RElSrER,
so far as the side of Clark is concerned.
On Thursday P. NJ. Long, through his
counsel, the Hon. Edwin Maxwell, filed
an answer, showing why writ of man
damuS should not be issued. The re-
ply stated uuQuaifedly that at no time
whatever did he refuse Clark or other
person Ia inspect the records and papers
Of the Clerks Office of this county.
Long says he asked Clark what he
wanted. and that Clark replied that is
none of your business. Whereupon
Long did refuse Clark admittance into
the area behind the counter in the Office,
but told him that hc would hand him
any record or paper in the office, and
that he, Clark, could inspect and
examine il on the counter.
Clark according to Longs answer made
no request To inspect the records, but
demanded 10 be admitted behind the
counter in the Office. The respondent
further says that at the very moment
the mandamus papers were served on
him that Clark was then in the Office in
speeding the records thereof. The
answer further charges that Clark was
represcnting in the transaction the
South Penn oil Company, corporation
under the laws of Pennsylvania. Mr..
Long in concluding his answer says
that he has performed his official duties
10 the best of his Judgment without fear
or favor of any one, still he does not be-
ieve n mandamus will be issued to com
pei performance OF vain, useless and I'M
lawful acts: nor 10 require performance
of impossible acts; nor compel the per-
formance Of an act which he has ca
pressed his willingness TO do,
and prayS that the proceedings
be dismissed NJ costs Of the petitioner.
The answer was filed and case heard on
Thursday at Morgantown before Judge
HaganS. and the proceedings continued
until May term of court, which Is a
practical refusal of the writ oil man
damuS until that time. The people
here believe that the rule Will be
finally dismissed. The suit has no po-
litical significance. as both Long and
Clark are Republicans, and the Demo
Gratis comprise the audience, which does
not care how long the fun lasts.
In comes in bad grace and poor taste
for a correspondent writing under the
nom dc plitnc of Scrip" for the mdcr'
saving nothing of the SacrilegiouS char
acter of the article, TO write letter re-
Aecting upon ClarkSburg, without Just
cause or provocation. We might retort
by pointing ont the old fogySm existing
i'm that now progressive town OF falr-
mount. which indicates but lttle I'M
movement over what it was hall cen
tury ago. Would this prove any aSSer-
ton? We forbear. Fairmont shall oe
credited with her enterprises and we
will tarnSh her fair fame, but ask
that her papers do not blacken our good
name. The article spoken OF was highly
improper and Justly met the indigna-
tion of our citizens, who were inSulted
thereby. Why did the ndei publish II?
Did IL wish TO do Clarksburg and her
citizens manifest injustice? II So II
has succeeded. For instance, among
other things, scrip says:
"EnterpriSe is scorned ut by those,
who when they 20 abroad are mentioned
os .nrominent citizens No one can en-
gage i'm business that in any manner
conflicts with their personal interests
but they at once proceed to ruin him by
a system of boycott, persecution, VIE
/ SANDER and other unbuSineSS like meth
ODDS II stranger comes he Is eyed
with suspicion, and IL he desires to en-
rare in business opposing some certain
one. the utmost effort is made TO pre-
vent him getting foothold. lie is con
| fronted with eNtortionate rents, and II
he concludes to buy lot he is literally
cheated out Of his birthright ClarkS-
burr has no future save what is written
OF her past
Then after suggesting that few
funerals would work wonders this cor
RESPONDENT. who calls himself scrip
adds: The most OF the vacant land
hereabouts is owned by three or four
! individuals who inherited it and while
swearing it in at low rate for taxes,
either will not sell foot or ask prices
ranging from two to four thousand dol
lars an acre. and for land far from our
so-cailed business center.
Then after ridiculing the eap4cloHS
hotel being erected by our toWnsman'
r. T. Lowndes, Scrip informs u.s.
1--WE are to have new brick block: IL
is 10 be hoped this may be erected for
then that enterprising citizen who Is
loud in his claim of booming the town.
will have laid his first brick upon an
other, Although left wealthy by inner
iteuce and now gray headed, II Will be
his first attempt to erect building,
Comment is unnecessary. The PEG,
ME o. o.s s,a,e who are acquainted
Vim R T. Lowndes, aa4 the many
ether Of our enterprislng citizens vii
resent the mSinuation and Insult OF
fered them. Mr.. Lowndes aud oihel
, man like him will continue TO boom The
t r encourage enterprise, whatever
: aid foggies MAJ do o. sas, ~ h4Yevel
~ncb the Indcr chooses 10 lend lis col
, ",,ns TO the publication OF such renee
lions upon Qua VI thu oldest. wealthles
1 and most enterpriSinH towns III WOE
Nir,,tuia and her citizens,