The Richmond palladium and sun-telegram. [volume] (Richmond, Ind.) 1907-1939, 1909-12-04
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Editor Richmond Palladium.

Dear Sir
l notice in your paper under date
of November 80. on first page, An Ig-
norance of the Law Saves Italian
Rioters THAT after fully investi-
eating the trouble in the interurhan
car at Mt. Auburn. last Tuesday,
Prosecuting Attorney Charles Ladd
experienced change of heart and
only filed minor charges against the
men,
1t seems rather remarka BILE that the
prosecutor should experience such a
change of heart that he would offer
the heart touching apology which he
did in behalf of those Italians. l sup
pose that he is expected (by the DeO-
pie who elect him to office to nave
change of heart and sympathiZe with
criminals. One would suppose, accord,
ing to that, if one Of those Italians
had committed murder (Which they
attempted Prosecutor Ladd would
have no doubt, experienced whole re-
generation.
In the first place l take the liberty
to say that the prosecutor did not full
ly investigate the trouble in the inter-
urban car at Mt. Auburn, November
20. He might cause people who were
not on board that car during the
trouble to believe that he investigar-
ed it, but 1 was a passenger on that
car, and therefore, am positively GER
tain that he has done nothing OF the
kind. There are plenty Of eve Wit
nesses available. Why did he not call
prosecutor must have held the inves'
tigation with Henry U. Johnson, at
torney for the defendants. l know OF
no one else from whom he could have
gotten so much information on such
short notice. Why it is that this case
was not fully Investigated we are left
to guess.
Then "The Evening Item" comes
out with an item under date of No
vember 80, headed, Butler to Blame
for Riot on Car" Then the Item goes
on to tell how terrible Conductor But
Ter treated those Italians. Comparing
him to other very desperate conduc
tors. And again l take the liberty
and assume the responsibility of say
ing that the article is false. absolutely
from start to finish. so far as 1t re
lates to Conductor Butler.
For as l have already stated, l was
an eye witness to the whole affair and
do certainly know that the train crew
did nothing except to defend themsel
yes against the murderous attack Of
those Italians. in which the conductor
and motornlan would both have beer
killed, no doubt, had not some Of the
passengers rendered assistance.
The course pursued by the Rich
| mond authorities in this case is very
difficult to be understood. The result
is: First. Conductor Butler and Mo
torman Hill are placed before the pub
| lie in false light. Second, those law
less rioters are encouraged to greatel
depredations and third, the safety o
the travelling public is lessened nun
dred percent.
Who ever before heard of prose
cutor pleading that ignorance of thu
American law excuses the criminal?
Who ever before heard of a prose
cutor presuming to know all the fact
in a case without calling in the wit
nesses?
| Foreigners immigrating to Americ:
should support the constitution ant
| obey the laws as they are sworn t
do, and if they do not. let them SUITE
the penalty the same as Americans
If they are not to be held accOuntabl,
for their behavior, then they shout;
be placed in our institutions of con
finement the same as Harry Thaw ant
others who are likely to do themsel
yes or other people harm. If our Am
erican citizens are not to be protectet
against the ravages and assault .
these brute beasts, then stop thei
coming into our country. Our civil
cation is now bed-ridden to death il
many localities, with all the law en-
forcement that can be brought to bea
upon them. What will it be if We be
gin to shield them and apologize TO
their criminalities? Shame on tn
prosecutor who dares to assume sucl
course. We naturally expect EN-
ployed attorneys to fight for thei
clients. 1t is simply a business pro
position. but our prosecutors are eS
pected to represent the state, an'
where they fail to do so / am in favo
of having the matter looked into
What say you? Prosecutor Laid
Either investigate this case or stol
telling the people that you have.
| T. W. MITCHELL.
/ knightStown, Ind