Democratic messenger. [volume] (Snow Hill, Md.) 1869-1973, 1896-02-08
LET THE PEOPLE KNOW,

LET THE PEOPLE KNOW.
As heretofore stated in
these columns the contested
election case of William Nj.
Schoolheld. the defeated Re-
publican candidate for Clerk
OF the Circuit Court for this
county, against Francis Henry
Purnell, Esq the Democratic
candidate for clerk. who re.
ceived a good plurality over
his Republican opponent for
the position. will come up be-
fore Justice Parker on Monday
next, in accordance with a
notice served on the success
iul official at the conclusion Of
a trial commenced in Berlin
two weeks ago. which was
abandoned by the contestant
on account of irregularity in
his proceedings. More than
three months have elapsed
since the election was held.
the result OF which placed MIR.
Purnell IN the position which
ne holds to-day by virtue OF
the sworn returns made by the
election judges. Notwith-
standing the long period of
time which has elapsed since
election, continuous discussion
OF the result, and the contests
yet being prosecuted has kept
up the interest which actuated
the voters and caused them TO
come out on election dav. and
this would. if they were GER
tain of admission into the room
where the trial is 10 be held.
bring hundreds of people here
next week TO hear the taking
OF testimony. The uncertain
~ OF such admission. however.
will cause some OF these to re-
main At home. but there are
many who reside in this town
who are anxious to hear the
proceedings. and who will
make an effort to get into the
hearing hence the inquiry.
where will the trial be heidi"
We are unuable IT this writing
10 inform orr readers with
certainty whether the trial
will be public, in the Court
House. or private. in a room
At the hotel. We repeat, the
result Of the election was the
peoples victory. and ii their
decision is to be set aside.
they are entitled to know. see
and hear by what process OF
argument. or reason. it is TO
be done. Hence the trial
should be an open one so that
ever voter who helped to bring
about the result shall Judge
Tor himself the merits OF the
contestants claims. and the
justice OF the decision of those
who will finally settle the mat
ter OF contest. The Demo-
Gratis have asked for a public
trial, they have argued for it,
but thus far they have been
denied. We believe that
Justice Parker is willing TO
grant this request and we can
see no reason why the Re-
publican contestants should
oppose 1t or demand privacy
yes. secrecy-in a matter of
so much public interest. True,
errors have been made in
their proceedings. and steps
taken which were wrong. but
now that these proceedings
have been abandoned. and a
new start made in a proper
manner. we cannot see why
they or their attorneys should
demand secrecy. The Court
House IS public building. it
is furnished. heated and lighted
by the public and il is the
place for trial OF public causes
Certainly these contests are
such as should be tried in it in
order that the public may
know the entire evidence of
both contestants and defend
ants. Public sentiment is all
on one side-that Of the de-
PENDANTS. and. if after a public
trial this sentiment is substan-
tiated. and sealed with YER
dict OF approval from the facts
brought out AT the trial. we
believe no person will have
the eftrontery to continue the
prosecution and certainly the
Legislature will waste no time
in indorsing popular senti-
ment in the matte. Let us
have therefore all the light on
this matter possible and the
verdict will be a victory for
contestees. and The approval
OF popular opinion now so
one-sided will be shared at
iaarf ..t ti,. S.-..,.....