Semi-weekly herald., 1908-10-26

In Its issue of Sunday morning. tn
Durango Democrat, in attempting I
assassinate the character of Mr.. job
w. Morgan, the Republican candidal
Tor sheriff, referred to John Clarke
the Democratic nominee for sheriff. n
"A man whose whole course of cor
duct has been absolutely honest i'm
partial and fearless" and the late Is
sues oil that sheet have been file,
with adulatory like expressions.
1t has slimed this man over with it
nasty praise, and holding him up n
an immaculate to the people of thi,
county. But this is in line with II,
course In all cases and with all men
II 1t can use man or an officer fol
It's selfish and dishonest ends 1t shines
them over with praise until the public
has come to understand that wher
Dave Day is slobbering over any one
'hat he has, or thinks he has hold
on him. and therein lies the principal
objection TO the whole line of Demo
cratic nominees in this county
Dave Day, like the bully he claims
to be. and like the blackguard he is,
claims to be the spoesman for all
these men-some OF whom are good
men though misled, but they have not
uttered one word of protest against
this man and his paper, nor disclaim.
claims to be the spokesman for all
Clarke particularly poses as the friend
OF Dave Day. and 1t is to be supposed
that he is gratified over the adulation
poured upon his head by the Demo
crat
Although the Durango Democrat and
Dave Day very well know that John
Clarke, sheriff of La Plata county
openly violated his oath of office and
his duty as the principal officer of the
county III allowing .---
Animas Valley for over a year, with
out protest or objection, a saloon
where liquor was sold to minors, and
boys OF tender age made drunk there
by, 1t still quotes him as honest, i'm
partial and fearless and who never in
the slightest contributed to the ruin
of a fellow man"
The Democrat and Dave Day knew
this and knew that John Clarke, sher-
1T, had been openly charged in sworn
oevidence with being unfair, partial
and false to his duties as an officer
and that he could not be trusted to
serve processes in a court and sum-
mon Jurors, for fear that he would
pack the jury and SO destroy any sem
blance of justice being administered
in our courts, and knew that w. A.
Reese had stood in the court room in
Durango. and in impassioned voice
asked that his clients be relieved OF
the danger and menace of this man
Clarke in the trial of their cause, yet,
the Democrat still continues to pour
It's sickening strain of laudation upon
this man. to the disgust of all good
Democratic ticket.
But, for the further enlightenment
and information of the Durango Dem
ocrat and Dave Day we again ask
John Clarke to stand erect on his feet
and answer further to the people Of
La Plata county whether he be fiji
person to intrust with the performance
Of public duties in the office of sheriff
where he holds the lives. the property
aAu thc. 6Oou VI thS N'N'SO>e1f
q great extent, in his power.
II he has been faithful to the sworr
duties of his office, he is entitled tt
communication therefor, even to re
election, but If he has been bolf
and fragrant violator of the law, ant
has permitted Dave Day to run II
quor dive where boys were mad
drunk; If he believed the affidavit o
Charles Sumner Nichols, and shut MI
eyes to the crime that appeared t
be CHARGED therein, and If he shut nj
eyes to the stealing of George ThomI
sons colt, then he is unfit for ofnce
and we now say that instead OF thi
man meriting a reelection to the offic
Of sheriff Of La Plata county, thai
under the law of this state, made TO
the Just and proper government G
this people. ought to have beer imm'
diately removed from office and trie
under the following statute:
Section 1920 Of Mills Annotated sta
utes reads as follows:
kidnapping is the forcible abduction
S,ealing away or securing OF mai
woman or child"
And the following, section 1921. d
fnes the first section referred to an
says:
THE word 'forcible' used in sa'
section 1920 shall be deemed to y
clude any undue influence, persuasio
threats, rewards or promises thereof
Section 1922 is as follows:
Every person found guilty Of XII
nsping shall be confined In the per
tentiary for term Of not less thi
one, year and not more than sev'
years. for each person kidnapped.
attempted to be kidnapped. In the ca
Of the kidnapping of any magistra'
police or other public officer, to pi
xsnt him from discharging his duti'