Bluefield evening leader. [volume] (Bluefield, W. Va.) 1906-1911, 1908-08-26


Leader described conditions in Nc
Dowell county, moral COR immoraD
social and political. and up TO this
good hour its statements have gone
unchallenged in the public press OF
the state. The conditions We're de-
scribed accurately and not one of
its statements could be Challenged.
The public was familiar with the
conditions as described and had
learned TO look upon them as mat
ter of course, scarce hoping that
| anything could ever be done to i'm
prove them. The good people of
the Elkhorn valley had ceased to
expect a reformation Officials
sworn to uphold the laws were
guilty of the most immoral prac-
tices. The juries were selected at
random without regard to color or
character. until Judge Strothor ap-
pointed new commissioners at tie
last term of his court w. w. Hen
ritze and j Frank Johnston are the
new commissioners and We shall
doubtless see an Improvement In
the selection OF iuries
The county officials had
| ceas d to prosecute offenders of the
Calhoun type because they could not
secure a conviction. Indictments re-
turned by a grand jury against the
houses OF prostitution in Keystone
were not tried because a mixed jury
meant a hung jury and waste of
time and money People who knew
OF these conditions refused to t5s-
tify The courts cannot convict
without evidence.
Calhoun had the people afraid TO
open their mouths and he had pow
erful political backing and he could
defy law, order and decency. Suct
had been the condition for long
time. but it Is long lane that
has no turn. The Daily Leaders
exposures have aroused public. SEN
timcnt; officials who had lost heart
have found the public ready TO sup
port them In an effort TO restore
order; some who at first looked
upon the matter as political move
in the interest of the Democratic
party now see that ii is y move ina
the interest OF law and order and
the homes OF the good people OF
Mcdowell county and while the Dem
ocratic party will profit by it, the
white Republicans will profit as
well. Officials who have winkcd at
crime will not dare to wink at q
again In the face Of such an over
whelming public sentiment. and 9th
er officials who have chafcd under
conditions will have the courage TO
do their duty. one week ago we
were almost persuaded that Mellow
ell county was almost beyond re-
demption; today we find the prose
cutting attorney and his assistant de-
termined TO break mp the dcns OF
iniquity and the circuit Judge has
granted an Injunction closing up the
clubs at Keystone II will require
the united effort OF the best citl-
zens Of Keystone. without regard
TO politics or color. TO keep them
closed Officials must have evidence:
citizens must be ready to give that
evidence. even at the risk Of their
personal safety; criminals cannot
be convicted If the good people re-
fuse TO testify: there Is personal
danger TO the Witnesses. the officers
who made the raids. to the officers
who prosecute the cases. TO the
newspaper that dares to tell th sc
facts. Let everyone determine 10
do his duty though the heavens fall
and the shame and raproach OF Kcy-
stone will be taken away and rec
spectacle citizens will no longer
hesitate to- say, "I live at Key
stone"
IN this Introduction we want 20
say r'w words Tor j. Q Fclts Iic
is young man OF unpucstionod
courage. clean life clean thought
.sobcr and Industrious Re never
takes drink. never swcars an oath
and is a terror To- law-break He
has lived in This state for seven
years. has been a deputy shcr.6 of
Mcdowell county for six years and
has the confidence OF the people re-
gariless Of politics. lie has the
moral support of Sheriff Bradley in
his effort 10 break up the dens Of
vice. and will have h.a physical SUPP
port whenever necessary 70. was
well supported in his sunday uight
raid by tho police OF Northfork aod
o. r. Anderson Mr. Anderson is
well known I'm Blucheld and every
man here will vouch for him
SO much by way OF Introduction.
Now comes the disagreeable duty.