Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1900-10-09
JUDGE JACKSON's CHARGE.
WHEELING. w. Va. October s.

AN@i-A-SI, w. Va, OclQDeT 3.
To the Editor Of the Register.
Sir:-There appeared in the Intelligent
Ger an EDITORIAL on October 4th, which
NO u was written by the editor at
a time when he did not have his wits
ABOUT him, or at least was very care
less in his statements. In speaking OF
the charge of Judge Jackson to the
grand jury at the recent term OF the
United States Circuit Court, held in
wheeling, he says. among other things,
that 1t does not matter to the RepG3-
lican party of West Virginia what in
tentions his honor had in charging the
grand jury. When the editor UNDER
takes TO speak for the Republican
party, in my judgment, he does it with
out authority and his utterances viii
nc be approved by the great majority
OF that party. II is apparent from the
charge itself that the intention of the
judge was no other than to direct the
attention of the grand jury TO the
necessity of the purity Of the ballot box
and their duties as grand jurors to in
yestigate any charge relating to the
purity of elections that might be pre-
sented to them.
His Honor, Judge Jackson, has been
on the bench for over forty years. and
no one can say anything other than
that he has administered the law with
out fear or favor. and has made a rec
ord second TO none of the many judges
or the United States who have occupied
similar positions.
Every good citizen must say that the
charge to the grand jury referred to
was we'll timed, able and non-partisan.
His Honor might have gone much fur
Their than he did. if he had been so
inclined, and still stayed within the
lines of his duty, by drawing attention
to the actions of officers OF his own
court, as we'll as others holding federal
positions in the State OF West Virginia.
1t would not have been out of place to
criticise the marshal of the court, John
X thompson. who, instead of being
present at the session of the court at
tending TO his official duties was en-
gagged in running the campaign for the
Republicans in Kanawha and other
counties, thereby neglecting his duties
In direct violation of the letter and
spirit of the statute OF the United
States, which 1t is his duty to obey.
Attention might have been called to
the action of the Hon. Joseph III. Gaines,
the District Attorney, who, instead OF
being present attending to his official
duties, vas making political speeches
over the Third district. and who ac-
cepted the nomination for Congress in
that district without resigning the Of
fee of District Attorney, and uses II to
assist him in his election to Congress.
Or attention might have been directed
to MIR. Elliott Norcott, who is now the
First Assistant District Attorney, who.
instead of being present performing his
duties as such, is engaged in running
the Republican campaign; or some
thing might have been said OF Mr.. Il.
M. Showalter, the other Assistant Dis
trlct Attorney, who, although present
part or the time, spent the greater part
OF his time in trying TO. make political
speeches In Ohio and Marshall counties.
IL would have not been out OF place
to call attention TO the fact that the
Hon. a. B. White still holds on to the
office OF commissioner OF internal rev.
enue, while he is making his canvass
for Governor. Four years ago. when
General Watts was a candidate for Gov
ernor. he resigned the office OF district
~ AASJ P1LCl0 HG DtEdh Ills NdHNdHSs
The Federal o~fIiceholders of this State
not only run the Republican conven-
lions that make the nominations. but
are the principal managers of the Re-
publican campaign, and two OF them,
White and Gaines, are running for two
of the most important Offices In the
State.
You would think from party policy
and common decency that those Fed
eral officers holding the two best Offices
in the State under the Federal Govern
ment, would concede the State offices
to the rest of the party, but 1. would
seem that they must have everything
because they have the power through
their assistance and political "heelers,'
70 pack political conventions. His
Honor's charge made no reference
whatever to these matters or any other
matter of a political nature.
The editorial referred TO makes a ma
1icious and unwarranted attack upon
Col. McGraw, without foundation and
without IN scintilla Of truth to base 1t
on. Everything said In that connection
is a malicious SANDER, and not In fact
a reaction on Col. McGraw, but an open
attack upon Republican o~f1ceholders Of
Taylor county, who had charge Of tho
election, as well as charge OF the ball
lots after the election, and in defense Of
them (some Of whom are now dead1,
1t can be said that the investigation by
the Legislature. the body whose pro-
vince and duty it was to investigate
such matters. showed that the election,
as well as the recount, was In every
respect fair.
Besides, Mr.. Dent, the elected member
OF the Legislature, was present during
the whole time OF the investigation,
and everyone that knows him. knows
that he would not accept the Office IL he
did not believe that the election was fair
and that he received a majority Of the
votes in Taylor county.