The herald., 1897-10-06
The Santa Monica Justice
and the Marshal
UNDERSTAND EACH OTHER
AND WELLS "WAS UNDER A
WRONG IMPRESSION"
The Marshal Showed Proper Spirit
and the Justice Takes It All
Back


tice of the Peace F. H. Wells of Santa
Morica have decided to bury the hatchet
and let bygones be bygones. And now
that they have come to terms of agree
ter hushed up SO far as the public is
concerned as well. Last Thursday an
article was published in The Herald
based on informa ton obtained from the
records of the justice court and state
ments made by Justice Wells concern
ing the fragrant neglect of duty on the
part of Marshal Dexter in his failure
to serve warrants of arrest turned over
TO him. Specific instances of such neg
lect were cited which showed that Mar
silal Dexter had been guilty of mall
feasance in office. All the statements
published We're earnestly endorsed by
Justice Wells before they appeared in
print.
In view of these facts letter received
yesterday from Marshal Dexter denying
the published statements regarding him
and enclosing the following statement
endorsed by Justice Wells puts that
SANTA MONICA, Oct. 4, 1897.
To Whom 1t May Concern:
Statements having been made during the
last week in several of the leading news
papers of the state respecting official ac-
tion of George B. Dexter, one of the con-
stables in and for Santa Monica township.
Los Angeles county. and marshal in and
for the town of Santa Monica.
These statements-all, believe-purport
t~ INa Lo, = e..
to the reporters of the papers wherein they
appeared. A reporter for each-The Her
aid of Los Angeles and the Call of Sam
Francisco-called on me in my office last
week. wishing to see my criminal dockets,
which they had a right to do. They were
shown to them. They respectively looked
at them, then questioned me, then made
their notes. and left. but neither read nor
showed their notes to me. Had they done
so l would have made, or at least asked
them to have made, many corrections of
things overstated by them, and Of some
observation-disclosures Of them, probably in
tended so to be.
Since Mr.. Dexters return from San Fran
cisco he and I have had a talk about the
above-named statements made in his alb
sence; and from statements and explana-
tions he has made to me, am now satisfied
that I was under wrong impression as to
the cause of his delays in the service of the
various processes of both the Justices and
recorders court, and that without this
statement from me, great injustice would
be done to him.
I am entirely satisfied, from Mr.. Dex-
ter's statements, that such delays of SER
vice on his part were not the result OF de-
sign to do anyone an injury. Yet think,
in some instances. delays in criminal SER
vices were longer than is justified by pru
dence, though not SO designed to be.
To be brief, and in conclusion, must say
that l am pleased that Mr.. Dexter, as soon
as he conveniently could after his return.
came to me in a gentemanly manner and
talked the matter over with me in a proper
spirit the result of which I hope and be-
leve is that we thoroughly understand
each other. and will in future work together
harmoniously and without undue friction
for the legitimate and healthful enforce
ment of all ordinances and laws which are
intended to protect the people of Santa
Monica and promote their best interests,
in all respects.
T. Fl. WELLS.
Justice of the Peace and Town Recorder.
In the above written statement Jus
tice Wells makes a decided crawfish re-
treat from his original statements. The
day after the article appeared in The
Herald a reporter for the San Francisco
Call visited Justice Wells in his office
and inquired if the statements made
were in accordance with the facts. JUS
tice Wells answered that the article in
The Herald was true, but said that he
was sorry so much publicity was given
to the matter. The following paragraph
clipped from the San Francisco Call rel
ative to the interview of that papers
reporter with Justice Wells shows the
gentleman's attitude at that time
Justice Wells was reluctant to,speak on
the subject, but when pressed for the facts
simply turned to his record. He denounced
the conduct of the marshal as an outrage
on the community. and said that if no
one else took action agaist the dereict Of
ficer he would do so himself. He would
have done so sooner. he said. but felt it
would have greater weight if taken up by
some other interested person.
1t may be pertinently remarked that
Marshal Dexter was at this time in Sar
Francisco and had not had an opportun-
ity to square himself with the justice
and that both gentlemen will probably
be candidates for office at the next cleo
ton.