The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1901-04-16

INQUEST
An Alliance Paper Still
Thinks 1t Necessary.
QUESTIONS RAISED
Duties of the Coroner as Viewed
At tAilianee--Damase Case
Likely to Result From T
Accident,

The Alliance Review reprints from
the columns of the News-Democrat an
interview with Coroner Schuffel, which
was brought out by that papers criti-
cism Of the officials course in not hold.
ing an inquest over the remains of Tor.
ry s. Walker, who was killed recently
in Alliance by the blowing off of cap
from chemical fire engine, and pro.
ceeds to discuss the case in the follow
ing language:
We very cheerfully give space to
the above reply from Coroner Schuffel
but, to our mind, it does not exonerate
him, and even If it did the Reviews
criticism would still hold good, for it
was the failure to hold an inquest
which we most censured, no matter
who is accountable. But as to the cor
oner: He is elected by the people, not
appointed, hence he is accountable to
the people. II his rights are infringed
upon by prosecuting attorney or any
other official, and the interests of
society neglected or abused, as well,
then let him at least make some effort
to stop such interference. Why elect
a coroner at all if he is to refuse to hold
an inquest in such a case as that refer
red to, especially when he was request
ed, as he admits he was, to so act by
brother of the deceased and mayor
of the city in which the tragedy oc-
CURED?
The Office OF coroner is an important
one. The law defining his duties makes
it so, and the trainers of the law evil
IDENTIFY so regarded the Office. His diI-
ties are specific and their performance
highly essential, not alone to the we'll
being of society but to the proper con-
duct of court proceedings as well. And
as to the matter of economy referred to,
IL the coroner does his duty in all cases
as contemplated by the law he will
more than save his fees and all ex.
penses incurred by making arrests and
expensive criminal trials unnecessary
in some cases, and conviction of crimi-
nails less costly in others, by prelimi-
nary testimony and finding of facts as
to conditions.
Coroner Schuffel says he has no right
to hold an inquest unless the death be
caused by unlawful violence" How Is
he to determine the matter of "unlaw-
full violence?" Only by holding an in
quest. Surely not by talking to some
one by long distance telephone. Ac.
cording to his statement he would not
be justified In coming to Alliance and
holding an inquest II one man should
kill another unless it was plain case
of murder. II was not for such cases
alone that the ONCE Of coroner was ere.
ated. Indeed. In such cases there is
little need of an inquest. 1t Is In cases
wherein there is doubt and lack of full
information that the coroner is most
needed--cases, too, where the rights Of
the poor and unprotected may be jeop-
ardized unless the strong arm OF the
law intervenes.
We have no quarrel with Coroner
Schuffel. We have no doubt but that
he wants to do his duty. and our advice
to him ia that II there be any who stand
in the way OF his performing the same
he gently push them to one side.
DAMAGE SUIT MAY RESULT.
Alliance. April ls.--It Is not unlikely
that a damage case may result from
the killing OF TORY 8. Walker BY the
lQheuical eneine exDlonion Whtie UQlnG
w IL Hw& u<r0ol4Iu 4 III | SIR 81. |IIl T