Martinsburg herald. [volume] (Martinsburg, W. Va.) 1881-1920, 1909-09-18

In the September 18th issues OF The
Evening World.and The Evening jour
nal. tine news colismes impugned my
motives in presenting state Senator
Gray Silver before the grand jury for
dog poisoning.
The World says: 1T appears from
the rumors on the street. and opinions
of those who have Interested them
selves in the matter, that the charges
were made for political effect, and 1t is
gnerally believed that the proceedings
were brought 10 discredit the charac-
ter of one Oh The County reputable
citizens
The Journal declares. that many
people have been making surmkses as
to the motives that prompted the Se-
lection of Senator Silver, from among
The large number against whom there
was the same evidence that was relied
upon to indict him."
Inasmtch as I, as prosecuting attor-
ney, am tie only person In the county
who can present n one before the
grand jury for Indictment, 1T is evil
dent that the sentences above quoted
refer to mus and my motives.
Please permit me. in your columns to
make the following categorical state
ments: ss. ..4
1. I have had no political motives in
the matter. Senator Silver and | be-
long to the same political party, and
we're elected on the same ticket. and
as thar as I know have always been
the best of friends. / have no desire
to disrupt my cwR party.
2. I would not bring any proceed
ing no "discredit the character of any
citizen.
8. 1t is not true that there s-any
one besides Senator Silver against
whom There was the same amount OF
evidence.
4. There have been during the las
two weeks at leact fifty complaints
made to me as prosecuting attorney
in regard to the killing of at least
thirty dogs during that time.
5. Strychnine was being distributed
over the 2treelts of Martinsburg in a
wholesale manner by some one, and
the situation was a serious and dam
gerotts one. Human life was even in
danger.
6. The circsImstantial evidence, with
in my knowledge, that Senator Silver
commit ed the offense was sufficiently
strong and conclusive 20 warrant, In
my judgement, the presentation or his
name t. the grand jury for an investi-
Cation. Jldgc Faulkner charged the
grand jury on toe subject of dog pois-
oning. and in view of this fact it was
clearly my duty TO present every scrap
OF evidence which | could secure. l
would do the same thing again, under
the came circumstances. irrespective
of whosoever the person suspected
might be.
Z, / have acted in good faith
through. out tine whole proceedinging. I
have not said Senator Silver was gull
do not now say 3 regret very
much that the discharge OF my official
duties in this case has been made the
subject of criticism both by the news-
papers and Senator Silver. have
uced my office to maliciously In
jure amy man. In view of the friendly
relations which have existed between
us in the past. | certainly would have
reason 10 'discredit his character"
s. Senator Silver could not, under
the Jaw. appear before the grand jury
in his W defense, or before any
tribunal I shall clleerlully pre-
to him through the columns of
any newspaper me may select the evil
dence Which prompted me to take the
which | did if he wishes me to
do so. This will give the public al
opportunity to- judge of the mo-
which prompted me, and at the
Time, give him a chance to re-
Aute the evidence offered.
ALLEN B. NOLL.
Prosecuting Attorney OF Berkeley Co.