The evening times. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1906-1914, 1912-10-21
B|CKFORD CASE
DE|hG STIRRED
Delay in Hearing on Appeal
Caused by Failure to
Certify Record.

Bismarck, n. D.. Oct. 21.-"What
has become of the Btckford case! Is
the question which now seems 10 De
turning over in h minds OF the pub
lie throughout the state. The CUES
ton has become a very common one
OF late in all circles. A day does no
pass that the politicians and citizens
drop into the capital do not ask this
question. Two or more gentlemen
meet in the hotel lobby and settle
down for a little visit. One asks
Whats new" and invariably the
next question is, What has become
Of the Bickford case? Who is holding
It up? Is it the attorney general. the
states attorney. or the defendants at
t~orneys?" Such are the questions be-
Ing carried around in the minds OF
the people Of the state.
son that the clerk OF court of Mclean
county has failed to certify the case
up to the supreme court. Section
10147 Of the code makes this manda-
:ory upon the clerk. This is neces.
sary before the briefs are to be filed
BY reason of the fact that this delay
has been made. it is now doubtful II
the cas- can get in at this term OF
the supreme court and in all prob
ability it will ave to go over to the
April term.
Delay Does not Effect Status.
However, the delay does not affect
the status Of the case in the least,
sad the object of the appeal is but &c
secure another trial. Should the
court refuse the petition in the ap-
peal the sentence Of im%prisonmen;
now standing against the ex-treasure.
would be enforced and he would have
to go to prison. On the other hand
II the court sustains the contentious
Of the appellant he will be given an
other trial. Hence, when the case
finally gets around to the supreme
court, one OF TWO things will happen:
Mr.. B.ckford will either be granted a
new trial and be compelled to run
the gauntlet again. or he will go te
the pen. That is the sum and sub
stance Of the whole affair.
Two Other Charges.
Two other charges stand agains,
Mr.. Bickford, embezzlement and falsi-
probably been adjudicated. though the
other stands ready for hearing at any
time.
Clerk May Act Soon.
1t 10 understood that the clerk OF
court OF Mclean county will probably
get busy within a few days. and certi-
~ the case up to the supreme court.
This will call for the briefs from both
sides. Should this be done now. and
should h court allow the case to be
aentered upon the calendar q! the pres
ent term there is a possibif!fy o9 Its
being heard some time during the
coming winter; otherwise it canno'
possibly be disposed Of till the spring
term which converts in April.
Some claim tho case has not drag.
ged unusually long. as cases go in the
higher court. AS a rule cases in the
higher court take a long time to ge,
through. unless both parties are, fol
certain reasons. anxious to have thu
matter settled. or in cases where ques.
tons u be determined at once
such matter pertaining to election. etc
This class of cases. and especial,
those demanding immediate attention
are given preference. while cases like
the one in question generally take
their routine and all the time possible
hence no immediate action Of mote
may be expected. And there you are