The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-09-01
ATTOR-
cOMMONWEALTH'S ATIOR-
NEY

The splendid work OF Dlstllct fAl'o''r''''
Folk Of ST. Louis, Is drawing pubic at
tention to the great Importance Oh the
work. Of the prosecuting attorneys in all
States. The prosecuting attorney can 90
more, perhaps, than any other officer OF
government to bring evil doors 10 )us''ce
and make men respect and obey the laws.
Indeed, II he does not discharge MS duty
faithfully and fearlessly, many criminals
will 40 unpunished. He may appear TO 90
his duty, and he may get along IN such
a way as to protect himself from, charges
+ Of neglect; at the same time he may py
wlnk1ng at crime or keeping MS eyes
shut to crime fall far short to his whole
duty to the Commonwealth. the prose-
cutting attorney must be good lawyer
hut he must be something more; he must
be a faithful and fearless olf'clal ne must
not be allied with any clique or faction,
whether high or low; he must be SO faltn-
III, and so brave that he will do his duty,
,et Tho consequences be what they may.
II Ia not necessary that he should be a
detective; that he should be prying into
everybody's affairs; but he Should keep
his eyes open and his ears open, that ne
may know what is going on and when he
knows that the law Is violated IN any
I. instance, It Is his duty to bring the facts
to the attention Of the grand jury,
1t is necessary In many cases that ne
Z take the niative, and when the grand jury
has brought in an Indictment 1t Is his duty
to prosecute to the fullest extent Of the
law. II he believes that the accused is
guilty. lie must be absolutely proof
against all sorts Of Influences that would
deter him from his duty. He must be
man so conscientious that he cannot be
bribed or intimdated. Flo must not let
rich men. or poor men, or politicians, or
political influences, or even his own polk
( teal welfare stand In the way of his
duty to the Comm onwealth. II so, he Is
unfit to hold this important office.
In view OF these facts, for they are
facts, 1t Is a matter of supreme impor-
tance that the people Of Virginia, In theiI
/ respective cities and counties. be exceed
ingly careful to select the right sort OF
man Tor TINS posltioH. IL is no o!ice
for the good fellows" to I'LL. The people
owe 1t to themselves and to the law
which they are sworn to uphold, to put
into this Office man OF legal ability. q
s1uan of good morals and moral courage; {
man OF the highest character ] they dc
So they may reasonably count upon
bringing criminals to the bar of justice
and having them prosecuted as criminals
deserve. II they fail to do so, II they
nut In any man who thinks more of the
office than the duties of tho office; !
they put In man who represents special,
any class of people, rich or poor; II the,
put In man who is disposed to close
his eyes to tho violation of the law, they
may expect to see the laws violated nnt
criminals escaping the whip Of justice.
a. Nominations for this important Office
are being made by the Democratic part!
In various parts OF the State. and 1t Il
to be hoped that the voters will put asid
all questions OF personal favoritism anc
vote for the man who. In their best judg
lnent, will most efficiently, faithfully ant
iearlessly discharge the duties OF tn
office.