Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1893-11-22
- - . a. R.aa..-.

Since the beginning Of the present
term Of the Federal Court in this city
the deputies Of Marshal Vinson have
been the victims Of some very severe
criticism by Charleston newspapers,
aud certain citizens Of this city who
are uniformed as to the facts in regard
20 the administration OF justice by the
Federal Court. These criticisms, which
are wholly unwarranted, as the facts
will show, saem to have been melted by
an Associated Press telegram, sent out
by one Of the editors Of the Gazette, who
is Republican, and who, IL is said, was
DESTROYS OF making political capital out
OF the natter While there was prOba-
bly, no such intention on the part
Of the author Of~the kilograms which
greatly overestimated the number Of
prisoners and witnesses at the court, and
drew q dark picture OF suffering and
privltahOns among these people, the
MarShapS deputies and their friends
regarded II as a covert thrust 40 the
Democratic administration, and especi-
ally at District Attorney Watts.
THE NEWSPAPERS OF CHARLESTON
and certain newspaper correspond
ents have oyerestimated the num-
b Der Of witnesses and prisoners
at the present term OF court.
show that the number is not near 50
large as it has been at former terms.
There are only about l25 prisoners
here, and all the prisoners aud wit
nesses at this term will not reach 500.
This is small in comparison 10 the num-
Der at former terms OF the
court. Court officials say that
at one term under the administration Of
General Golf as District Attorney there
Wer0 1, 500 prisoners and witnesses pres
ent, and at several terms under the ad-
ministratiOn OF Marshal White the num-
Der Of prisoners and witnesses very far
exceeded the number at this term. The
number at this term appears to be IN
usually large from the fact that they
were all summoned to appear here on
the FIST dav of the court, whereas IN
der former District Attorneys no great
number were summoned 20 appear on
any one day. but we're distributed over
a period OF from twenty to thirty days.
But suDposlng that there were larger
number Of prisoners and wit
nesses here than usual, neither the
Marshal nor his deputies are
70 be blamed. They have only dis
charged their duties as such officers.
They have simply served the processes
issued by the clerk Of the court at the in
st ance OF the District Attorney.
The fact must be noted that the great
majority Of the witnesses at court have
not been brought here by the govern
ment They are here a. witnesses for
the defendants.
TEE COIBT HAS LEARNED
-os.sss1.s.. ,<gfacY on the part Of the law
4 less class in some Of the extreme south
ern counties 10 impeach the govern
ments Witnesses and swear one an
other innocent. They are men who
appear TO have little regard for their
oaths, and if they can break down .
government witness by false swearing
and superior numbers, they do not hesi-
tate 10 do so. Some Of the defendants
have as high as i've or six witnesses
in a single case, and the number in
some cases Is much greater.
Since the court has discovered a con-
sDiracy on tho part Of the criminal
class 10 certain localities 10 break down
government witnesses and thus eYade
the penalties of the law, it is making a
special effort 20 bring this lawlesS ele-
ment 70 Justice and break up the con
spiracy. The court will certainly not
relax its efforts TO this direction by any
criticisms Of the Charleston Gazette.
Judge Jackson and the officials of the
court will see that the laws Of the land
are respected without fear or favor.
1T was suggested 20 prominent
court official to-day that the onslaught
upon the deputies of Marshal Vim
son is inspired by a desire on the
part Of some Democrats TO injure
district Attorney Watts, who has pro-
ed their jealousy by
HIS PERSONAL POPULARITY.
e senatorial question, according to
opinion Of some, has great deal 20
with the fight against the Z deral
ourt. Cernin gentlemen In this city
have been calculating the time when
Judge Jackson can leave the bench and
retire on pay. They desire to worry him
tiIl be does so. They have ascertained
that be has Just nineteen months to
serve before be can retire Senator
Faulkner appears 70 be settled
upou as Judge JackSOn'S
successor, and either Joe Chiffon or
Governor MacCOrkle is to take Mr..
Faulkner's seat in the United States
Senate
Referring to the Federal Court again,
Indge Jackson has for some time been
considering the propriety Of holding
snaeial terms of the Federal Court
either at Huntington, Hinton or Prince
ton. for the purpose of trying cases
coming from the country adjacent TO
these places, i'm order 70 curtail travel
ing expenses Of prisoners and witnesses.
Ninety per cent. Of all the criminal
cases come from the counties OF Raleigh,
Mercer, Mcdowell and Wyoming. The
DroDOsitiOn is 70 take the court nearer
tbese counties. The criticisms Of
the court by certain citizens
~ Charleston may help Judge
Jackson TO decide TO hold the
court at one or more OF the places
named. and If be so decides IL may be a
long time before another term OF the
eOurt will again be held in Charleston
Tor the trial Of criminal cases.
The Gdzctte charges that large num-
ber of prisoners are arrested and
brouQht here on frivilOus charges and
efter being subjected 10 trial are ae-
onitted. The records will show that
the percentage of the convictions at
this term of court are much greater
tban of former terms, showing that the
osssrtions that these men are arrested /