Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-07-01
WEDNESDAY. JULY l, 1903.
CITIZENS INDIGNANT.
Continued from page l.

Otos-Sometimes we are judged by
the company we keep. L try to sing q
little sometimes. One time went out
to 8 Kelley picnic to sing. I was
treated to good dinner and was en-.
joying myself until by and by fellow
turned to me and said, ''When were
you at the institute?" There are those
here tonight who seem to have come
here to try to disturb or break up this
meeting. II Mr.. J. is not worthy OF
censure no honest man would be will
ing to say q word that would down
him. would down my best friend ii
hewas sworn to do his full duty as
an officer Of the law and failed to do
it. Is there anything wrong in asking
a man If he has done a questionable
act, his reasons for doing it?
Co. Atty.-1 have not been asked to
come here for the purpose of explain
ing my ,ieonduc-I don't doubt that
many OF you are honest. As far as
my office is concerned I have always
tried TO do what I considered and un-
derstood to be my duty. Twill always
do it as long as I shall be in Office.
How many of you, who have been
accusing me today have been in my
Office during the last three years and
consulted with me on the best interests
of Willmar citizenship? Those that
howl most do the least in unfolding
the law.
:, Voice-Was there any ground for
those indictments?
Co. Atty.-There was. There are
many reasons for continuing those
cases. 1.-The County Attorney stated
that he was the repository officially of
many secrets that he dare not divulee,
and conveyed the impression that his
reason for moving q continuaace is an
official secret. Lots of good reasons.
What 1 am most disappointed in is
this fact that they call an Indignation
meeting and no man goes into my
Office and asks me to explain my con.
duct to him. Nearly every point of
good evidence that has been gotten in
Kandiyohi county has been got by me.
know what evidence I got. I am not
IS dishonest as those gentlemen, who
accuse me of taking money for contin-
uing these cases or for shielding the
guilty. AS long as am County At
torney am going to do my duty to
the best OF my knowledge. One object
In prosecuting blind piggers is to stop
the sale of liquor in Willmar. Nine
tenths of the work done in the prose-
cution of the blind piggers has been
done in my Office. Nearly all the time
have been standing alone and none
OF those who are kicking about the
matter have come to me and said, II
can give you some evidence in this
matter. No they stand on the corner
and howl and say all manner of un-
christian things about me. They have
even shouted LETS hang the County
Attorney. "Lets hang him tonight.
That's what was said. I am not scared
a bit. I don't think that they have
got grit enough to do it, either.
Otos-May 1 ask question? Will
you please state why you postponed
these Gases? Will a witness remember
his testimony any better seven months
from now? Will it be any easier to
convict the violators of law then than
now?
Co. Atty.-One reason is I want to
get them law breakers to close. and
then get them out of town.
Otos-Why don't you answer my
question?
Lawson-You as County Attorney,
can you look without some alarm at
the possibility of some of these pig
gers opening up in Spicer? =
Go. IAtty.-If I catch one of them in
Spicsr I will put him in Jail mighty
quick.
Otos-Suppose man is arrested for
horse stealing. The thief says elf you
will let me 60 I will leave the county,;
would you free him on his promise?
Forsberg- Is the understanding
that if these gentlemen quit the bust
ness they will not be prosecuted any
longer if they leave the county?
Co. Atty.-They are under heavy
bonds; do you think they would leave
town while under bonds?
Jno. Johnson-What's the use OF
having a grand jury if you can undo
their work in this manner?
: Go. Atty often bring a matte,
before the grand jury when there Il
not evidence enough to convict, thu
IN - : 'r.yN p,