The herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1893-1900, 1893-05-11
LETTER BAG.


| Not Freak.
EDrroRs HERALD: Under the head, "a
Roaring Farce" in the HERALD of the
10Th inst. appears an article 30 scathing
and misleading in it's nature as to call
forth this reply from one SO, misrepre-
sented as myself. Taking the article all
together as it appears in this paper, one
would think the Justice Of the Catalina
precinct man without feeling or princi-
pie, and tool in the hands of designing
parties to malicious prosecution of a
lot innocent boys, who were trapped in
the commission of the crime with which
they were charged by a systematic ar
rangement.
For this effort ON the part of j. P.
Sheets, the acting justice of the peace OF
this district, he has been styled by the
HERALD as lone of those freaks which
turn up once in while as country JUS
tees of the peace"
1t is source OF regret to us to have to
defend ourself In the public print for any
Official action of ours, but justice to our
selves as well AZ to an outraged public
sentiment forces us in this instance to
state few facts In self defense as we'll
az In defense OF outraged public justice.
This farce, az referred to by the HERALD,
is just such farce as every criminal in
the land would be pleased to plead after
being trapped and arrested, as were
the defendants in this partic-
ular case. Now we want the
public to bear in mind that this was no
hap-hazzard affair, but that these boys
were arrested as the outcome of we'll.
devised scheme, based upon their
actions on previous occasions and that
the story of their hiding from any one
or any body at this particular time is the
connection OF brains older in the bust
ness than theirs are supposed to be. We
feel no malice towards these youthful
culprits, but on the other hand, we COM
miserate their misfortune and deeply
sympathize with their family and friends,
but in the name Of justice, is, it right
that we should be held up before the
public as certain species of officers
who hail from country precincts and who
are go devoid of hohor and principle as
to attempt the conviction of innocent
boys of a charge for which there is
neither evidence or precedent?
We attempted to prove nothing in
this case but facts, and such, too. az are
well known to the citizens and residents
OF Catalina Island, and however we may
have been decided by the courts, these
facts are still notorious and we'll estab-
lished amongst the people where the
crime was committed.
We have none of that feeling which
exults at the misfortunes OF our erring
fellows, but desire rightly and conscien.
tiously to perform our duties as a sworn |
officer of the law has led us to this pub |
lie defense of our actions in this matter. |
We may be one Of those peculiar freaks |
that manifest themselves once and |
awhile as a country Justice, but we claim
that every sense of right is uppermost
in our bosom and that no error except |
those of the head can pass court.
Let the innocent 60 free. We will
not object but for Gods sake don't i'm !
plicate us in any scheme to convict in
nocent children of crime for which |
there is no evidence. We will make no |
statement of facts in this case but leave |
the results of the trial and the findings !
of the court in the hands of the people |
against whom the offense was committed. |
Hoping you will do me the Justice to |
publish this note, am very truly yours,
j. P. SHEETS,
Justice of the Peace of Catalina Island, |