The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1896-02-02
A LETTER FROM MARSHAL CAR
ROLL.

|
issue of the 29th inst, publishing a
communication from your correspond
| ent relative to the personal conduct of
George Walker, who happens to be
deputy United States marshal.
1t need not be stated by me that the
conduct of the United States marshafs
| office is carried on in accordance with
the law and instructions Of the EXecu-
tive Department under which he is
working. The fact that a man who
happens to possess a commission as
| deputy United States marshal, becomes
intoxicated and disturbs the peace,
would not in the opinion of any fair
and unprecedented person reflect in any
| way against the United States marshal.
| 1t is well known in my district and
every deputy employed by me has been
| frequently instructed that intoXication
on the part of any deputy is a serious
offenSe and will result in the revoca-
ton of his commission. Mr.. Walker,
the person who was arrested for
drunkenness, was unknown to me be-
fore his appointment, and it was upon
| the solicitations and recommendation
of business men Of Durham of excel
| lent standing that he was commission
ed as deputy United States marshal.
Other deputies who have become
drunk and disorderly have been inn
mcdiately dismissed by me. This is
the fate of Mr.. George Walker, for
Immediately upon learning of his con
duct. his commission was revoked by
telegraph, as | was out of the city.
regard your correspondent as malici
Gus and unfair, as amy fair-minded
person must concede upon reading the
article There are absolutely no
grounds upon which to base the criti-
cisms made in his article. The Office
of the United States marshal is purely
ministerial; he is the executive officer
of the court: under his oath, it is his
duty to execute the process issued by
the United States court and other
magistrates having authority to issue
them The marshal has no discretion
whatever i'm the matter. The fact that
over so per cent of the prosecutions in
the Inited States courts have resulted
in conviction. will convince your
readers that the charges made by your
Durham correspondent relative to per-
secutions and trifling arrests are not
we'll founded The convictions in
court Will show conclusiyely that the
law has been violated, and under such
circumstances, il is proper that ar
rests should be made and the guilty
be punished. 1t is perfectly proper
for a deputy marshal or any other
employee to do 1.-THE bidding of his
employer. Your correspondent refers
to my instructions 10 my deputies 10
push things lively" This may not
be q watch word of some who have
practically gone to sleep and have
lost their energies and would conniye
10 the violation of the law. 1T must
be distinctly understood that as long
as I am the United States marshal for
the Easnrn District of North Carolina.
whatever process is issued by the Eni-
ted States court or others having au-
thoritv TO issue them, they will be
served in accordance with the law. IT
is also well known that disreputable
conduct or INVESTIGATION on the part OF
any employee of my Office will be met
with prompt dismissal from the SER
vice Another word which might just
as well be mentioned here is that.
never in the history of my administra-
ton of the Office has the United States
marshal sanctioned persecution or
lent his services or instructions 10
'.trifing" prosecutions. 1T is not the
province of the United States marshal
10 instigate prosecution except where
he has actual knowledge of facts
which NAV constitute a proper com
pIaint: in such case it is his duty as
an officer, as it is that Of any other
good citizen who cares to see the laws
1a4 inftaxIhfa the
courts. 10 make proper complaint, 9th
er5yise the unlawful and disturbing ele-
mant would render the community un-
fit for decent people 10 live in. take
no offense at the fact that you publish
the letter Of your Durham correspond
ent. because 1t can not in any way re-
feet upon me IN the minds OF fair
minded persons If at any time, upon
the recommendations of proper per-
sons, deputy is appointed, who sub
sequently proves himself incompetent
or disreputable, there is only one
course for me TO pursue. which is 10
dismiss him from the service. The i'm
situation made by your correspondent
that | appoint men for the purpose OF
earning fees for myself and deputies,
is without foundation and plainly dis
PLAYS either gross ignorance and
total disregard of the truth, or mali
cious intention to misrcpresent the
facts and to injure those who are en-
deayoring to- maintain the dignity OF
the United States court, of VIII h
tribunal. / have the honor of being the
executive officer it is surprising not
only TO myself, but 10 a large number
of your readers that You will give space
in your journal TO such communica-
tions. 1t detracts from the standing OF
the News and Observer very materially
and it is TO be hoped that in the flu
ture, if you desire to publish the
news. that You will at least make
some endeavor to ascertain the truth
and decline such incendiary communi-
cations as the one referred to herein.
It certainly cannot hurt the person at
whom it is aimed, and such publica-
tons can only act as a boomerang 10
|. the journal which publishes IT.
Your very truly,
q 4 CARROLL.