The morning call., 1893-07-24
THAT STRAW BOND
All Concerned DisClaim
Responsibility.
Principals In the Affair Make Con.
Trajectory Statements That May
Lead to the Truth.


considerably exercised over the release
from Jail on ''straw" bond of "Dink"
Wilson, the notorious burglar. Theyshad
been congratulating themselves Oh having
such a dangerous criminal safe behind the
bars for six months on a petty larceny
charge till he could receive sentence of
some years in the Superior Court for the
more serious cffenses of grand larceny and
burglary. Now. through somebody's
bundering, all their watchfulness and
care have been rendered abortiye.
There is strong feeling in police circles
that thorough investigation of this re-
markable instance of the laws defeat
should be made and the guilty party or
parties severely punished. There is
strong suspicion th at one of the officials in
the District Attorney Office was cogniZant
Of the affair from beginning to end and
that his conduct should be strictly lnvesti-
gated in the matter is generally demanded.
To prevent repetition Of sucn a glaring
case of official blundrring it is suggested
that an order should be mad that in all
cases OF felony where bonds are tn be
taken in the Superior Court the police de-
partment should be notified and the ad-
vice of the Chief or Captain Lees asked as
to their acceptance. If this had been done
the farce of allowing man out on bonds
who was serving sentence in the County
Jail would not have been enacted.
Pearson and Attorney Camobell are evil
IDENTITY irving to shift the blame upon each
other. Pearson told Captain Lees that
Campbell came to him first about getting
Wilson released on bonds, whereas Camp
BELLS story was that he met two men in
one of the corridors of the new City Hall,
one of whom he afterward found was
Pearson, and thew asked him to draw up a
bond for them. He did so, and then went
with them and the sureties to Judge Sea-
wells court where the bond was accepted.
The one story is direct contradiction
of the other.
But M mention was made by Campbell
of the fact that Walter Blair Of the Dis
trict Attorneys Office, friend of Camp
BELLS. accompanied the party to Judge
SeawelPs court and that after the bond
was accepted they were all seen together
outside the City Hall.
Upon being seen late last night Blair
denied the latter allegation. however.
II did not accompany the party into
court" he remarked, land Ihave q o knowl-
edge of any of the parties concerned what
ever, excepting Campbell, who acted as
attorney in the case. Under previous ad-
ministrations it was customary for either
the District Attorney himself or one of his
| assistants to examine into such cases and
pass upon the suretes.
now the responsibility rests altogether
with the Judge. My own knowledge of
the affair is limited to the few facts fur
nish ed Attorney Crfhpbell officially to en-
able him to draw up tie. bond. Beyond that
know absolutely nothing"
The attention OF Mr.. Blair was drawn to
the fact that the order for Urison's dis
charge bore upon its face the itemized
amounts of the bonds. on the charge of
grand larceny $1,000, burglary $4,000 and
petty larceny $500.
Following. the last. however. were the
words ION appeal" AS matter of fact
Wilson had not appealed his case, but was
Blair was asked if this seemingly palpable
Misrepresentation ought not to have been
detected.
LAS l said BEFORE" he replied, sour
Office is not concerned in any way in the
acceptance of bonds. but the County
Clerks books would show that an indic'-
ment had been found and habeas corpus
proceedings instituted in the Police Court,
with bail bond fixed ut $500. 1t would
not necessarily show whether the bond
had been accepted or not. In such case a
Judge might come to wrong.conclusion in
the matter"
Mr.. Blair. upon being reminded that
Judge Seawell had specifically mentioned
that Police Court bonds be never ac-
cepted, replied:
''As to that, Superior Judge must pass
upon the bonds or remit back to the Police
Court. This he can be compelled to do by
writ Of mandamus."
As this case stands at present it is q very
pretty tangle. For justice to be defeated
and criminal escape through the accept
ance of a straw bond is bad enough, but
there is a worse phase to tho case in point.
Assuming the sureties to have been pei
fectly good, Wilson was not capable of
being released on bail. He was prisoner
serving six months term of imprison-
mept. No appeal of his case had beea
taken and consequently the representa-
ton to Judge Seawell that the contrary
was the case was gross outrage and
N ost impudent perver5ion of legal meth
DDS to serve base ead and liberate no
torious criminal