The Clio messenger. (Clio, Mich.) 1907-current, 1914-08-07

! We must admit that we feel some
what flattered at the lengthy comment
our little editorial of week ago elicit
ed from our big brother, the Flint
Journal. But we must also state that
we do not feel utterly annihilated nor
thoroughly convinced by its presenta-
ton of the matters at issue.
The Journals statement about the
liquor cases dragging along at the
expense of the taxpayers" certainly has
an,ugly sound, but we fail to see where
any great expense" comes in and
would remind our contemporary that all
kinds of litigation, public and private,
/ is notorious for that very characteristic
of dragging along This is undeni-
ably regretable but it seems to be an
inseparable adjunct of legal processes.
Some of the ablest jurists in this coun-
try are now giving considerable of their
attention to the development of sys-
tenn for the speedier settlement of law
suits. The need for this is universally
recognized, but it is hardly fair to as
sumo that the prosecutor of Genesee
county is particularly conspicuous in the
matter of the laws delay. The state
ment that certain cases are being con-
tinued $50 that the people may forget
about them" is backed up by no proof;
it is mere assertion, and on the face
of it is none too fair.
Taking the Journals figures as cor
rect with regard to the divorce cases,
what do they prove and what would an
investigation of the records prove
They would prove that the prosecutors
office is.handilng lot of divorce cases,
as admittedly it always has done. To
go into the details of these cases care
fully, would require more time than we
have at our disposal and moreover, we
had supposed that the merits of such
cases were passed upon by the courts.
1t will probably be understood that
divorce might be granted on testimony
that would not secure a conviction for
crime in many Of those cases where
criminality is indicated. In many such
cases the residence of the defendant is
:, unknown or othermatters stand in the
way of successful prosecution, while
the divorce case is uncontested. No
matter who occupies the Office of pros
ecuting attorney these affairs, unfortu-
nately perhaps, cannot always be set
tied according to the ideals of the moral
theorist; they must be settled accord
ing to law and the practice of the
courts. Let US be fair in this matter
and not load the prosecutor of Genesee
with all of the responsibility for an evil
in which the clergy. the lawyers, the
lawmakers and society itself are con-
tributing factors.
We have not at hand copy of Super
visor Jennings arraignment of the
prosecutor on the score of extrava-
gance, but the latter informs us that
| ~ &c he
representatives of the people of this
county, before whom Mr.. Jennings
made his speech, have never cut his bills
one cent.
The charge that the prosecutor s
office is center of political activity"
is rather amusing. AS nearly as we
have been able to figure out the dope,
after somewhat extended observation,
county officers generally are consider
ably interested in politics, otherwise
they would not be county officers. The
prosecutor may very likely be harbor-
ing ONE of the "centers.
Now, we have not one word to say in
opposition to any of the gentlemen who
are aspiring to the office of prosecute
ing attorney in opposition to Mr..
Bishop, but the practice has been to
favor county officers with a second
term or at least with renomination,
in case their record has been reasonably
clean. Mr. Bishop is man who by III
own labor and effort gained his educ.
ton and entered upon the practice q
his profession. Up to the present time,
as nearly as we can learn. his record
has been excellent in every way, he
has gained prominent place among the
professional men of his city, he has
been honored by tie people of his coun.
ty, he would feel deeply the humiliation
that would be, put upon him in case he
should be retired at the end of his first
term in opposition to the long established
precedent of his party, and unless more
proof car be adduced of his inefficience
than HIS been to date, we beg to ex.
press< the hope that this will not be
| The question need not be confusing,
LIT fegofds solely Clifford A. Bishops
obligation to the people of Genesee
1 county and their attitude toward hin
1