Western Kansas world. [volume] (WaKeeney, Kan.) 1885-current, 1915-04-03
KLINE G. CO. ANSWERED

MT. EDITOR: From an article in the
Reporter of March 4, 1915, concerning
the economical county attorney
take it that Stofer, Kline s. Co, are
still trying to deceive the public with
gheir slimy-laden slurs, falsehoods
and Representations of which the
Reporter has not been free-from
Wassum down to the present time.
For instance, in the issue referred to,
it was stated that Campbell was re-
leased from Jail on "habeas corpus
proceedings, . and Stofer, Kline s. Co.
knew it was false too. Stofer, Kline
81 Co. would have it appear that. it is
unlawful for the county attorney to
have help in cases in which the coun-
ty is concerned, but it was not when
Long was county attorney, for Mr..
Ritcnie helped him to prosecute. in q
case of arson. Why don't they tell
the truth?
Stofer, Kline Sc Co. would have you
believe that 1 dictated and employed
the assistant counsel in the High
School case without the consent,
knowledge aud advice of the county
commissioners. The truth is that
the county commissioners informed
me that they wanted me to have as
sistant counsel and asked me what
lawyer 1 would prefer as an assistant,
and suggested several, among them
Mr.. Ritchie and Judge Gilkeson. l
suggested that the two named we're
good friends of mine and that both
might be obtained for about what one
would hn rhaf iS thnU yyOnl6
E'split" the fee. This was the agree
ment and understanding of the COM
misSioners-it was unanimous. 1t
was no spite on their part, and was
not on my part. The case has been
through the Su. RENE Court and all
Reversionary interests have been
eliminated and set aside, and the Su-
preme Court has held and said that
the High School site belongs to the
public-to Trego county. And the
cost to Trego county has not been
several hundred dollars" but less
than two hundred dollars, including
the 'ssplit'' fee of 800, to Mr.. Ritchie
and Judge Gilkeson.
State VS. O'Neil: Ever since July
26, 1914, this case has seemed to wor-
ry Stofer, Kline & Co. For what
reasens Is it because an application
for a change of venue was defeated
and Trego county saved $500 or S10O0S
Is it because osNeil was successfully
prosecuted and convicted OF murders
Is it because O'Neil was not turned
loose on Monday, July 27, 1914, by
County Attorney Hutzel rs he had
been the Saturday before by City At
torney Long9
Mr.. Ritchie was employed by the
Blakely Brothers to assist in the
prosecution of O'Neil, and the Law
provides that they have such right
notwithstanding, Stofer, Kline s. Co
to the contrary. The Blakely's ther
took up the matter with the county
commissioners and the commission
ers agreed to pay a part of the ex
penseS of assistant counsel; the coun
~ attorney was not present; was not
consulted in the matter. The county
commissioners did not exceed theil
authority.
The Recent Collyer Case: This is Z
case in which constable, peace of
ficer was derelict in his official duty
made no effort to preserve tn.
peace The warrant referred to wa:
not asked for in good faith, but fol
the purpose of intimidating the pros
ecuting witness, and the obtaining
thereof was some of Herman Long'.
dirty tactics to bolster up the de
fense of Foster who so brutaIly as
saulted helpless young man, Rhs