The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1894-01-26

mad really III FINISHED the suppress apo
if such supplies were at contract rates.
AS this would not involve the loss OF a
dollar to himself, he cannot claim the
the benefit of any privilege to prevent
his doing it.
The law says that the printing con-
tract shall he let to the lowest anu
best bidder, keeping in view the clrcu-
lation of the bidders. That the Com
missioners acted according to law, the
law presumes, and no appeal having
been taken from their decision, the
presumption becomes conclusive that
thew had acted according to law, and
let it to the lowest and best bidder. III
MIR. Lott sat down knowing that ne
was entitled to the contract, without
taking steps to yindicate his rights IL
is his own fault. The County Attor-
ney was justified therefore III making
that assertion to the Court IN his
motion. But, whether he may nave
been mistaken in that, is matter Vi
no moment, the point In the motion
is to ascertain whether there Is any
law to which the clique must bend;
whether officers can calmly contra
vene the obligations OF contract
made by the County, in pursuance OF
the law in that case made. 1t is
question of whether officers OF the
County can set an example of lawless-
ness, and carry it out successfully. AS
long as the present County Attorney
holds office, he will use his best en-
deavors to prevent such from coming
to successful fruition.
The people very well understand the
issue here presented, and the writer
doubts not Tor moment what verdict
they will render at the proper moment.
Nor does he doubt what opinion the
free, honest voice OF the democracy
will utter upon such acts of their self
constituted leaders. To doubt would
be to cast slur upon the intelligence,
the patriotism, and the good conscience
of the members of the party with
whom the writer has always affiliated.
That private interest may blind
some. that plentiful SANDER and cal
jimmy may mislead others, the writer
knows, but he also knows, from his
past experience, that the great mass OF
his party in no-wise sympathises with
lawlessness, with dishonesty, nor with
perpetual personal rule. When the
people give their verdict. the writer is
confident that the democracy of Mason
County will give their votes also to
squelch all such obnoxious elements.
Some of the gentlemen of the Clique
should have informed Mr.. I. B. Dam
phino, with whom they are doubtlessly
we'll acquainted, of the facts of which
in the opiuion of the Tribune, he
makes pertinent question.
1t was as he intimates the chief OF
all burlesque trials, arising from its
innate absurdity. One of the com
planning witnesses, who seemed to
know as much as lawyer of the nee
essity of supporting the allegation OF
property in the complaint and infor-
nation, had paid $3.50, according to
his evidence, for the privilege of OBJ
tanning an interest in the suit. The
private counsel appeared IN the case
were permitted to examine the wit.
nesses and cross-examine, and thus
bring all the evidence that was in the
case to the attention of the jury. That
jury was an ideal jury in intelligence
attention and consciousness and
their verdict satisfied all reasonably
minded persons present. The pros,
ecuting attorney after the whole evil
dence was in, saw nothing which could
reasonably prove felonious intent, nee
essary to charge of robbery, though
if the prosecuting witnesses were be.
lieved, an assault had been committed
1t should not be necessary to have
to remind some persons that public
prosecution should be conducted i'm
partially, and with view to the eluci-
dation of the truth, and that duty
lies upon the public officer to see JUS
tice done to the defendant as we'll as
to the State; and to eliminate as far
as he can, any element of private
malice which might cause, or tend to
cause any miscarriage of public JUS
tice. Jos. A. MCDONALD.