The Mitchell capital. (Mitchell, Dakota [S.D.]) 1879-1918, 1915-06-17
DEMAND GENERAL
FOR GRAND JURY
ON ELECTION CASE
Public Opinion Seems
to Favor lnvestiga-
ton.
MUCH. INTEREST
MUCH. INTEREST
Shown In Text of Decision
by Judge F, B. Smith
Facts Should be Found.

Ihat the fullest possible investi-
gatlon should be made of the circum-
stances surrounding the. charges of
tampering with the Second ward bal
lot box in the Althen- Fowler election
contest case, as brought out in the
decision of Judge Frank d. Smith
and published Monday in The Re-
publican, seems to be the concensus
of opinion of representative citizens
of Mitchell.
Although no charges have been
made against any individual or group
the probe of a grand jury is declared
to be the remedy that would sift out
the facts and the circumstances, re-
'lieve all unjustly accused OF any sus-
plcion and center the blame upon the
Offenders. That the situation is deem
ed serious and worthy OF immediate
ana Official action, is the general
view.
Grand Jury Procedure.
Lanritz Miller. states attorney,
stated that he had nothing for pub
ication on the matter at present, al
though he intimated thai an inyesti-
cation of any unlawful acts was not
improbable. He had not considered
the ~advisability OF asking for a grand
jury.
Under the laws OF South Dakota,
a grand jury, consisting of not less
than six nor more than eight mem
bers, can be impanelled upon the
written order OF the judge of the
circuit court, when deemed neces-
sary or advisable for the investiga-
ton OF public ~effenses or misconduct
in Office. 1t has been many years
since a grand jury has been called in
Dawson county.
Opinion of Citizens.
Opinions gathered upon the ques-
ton by The Republican at random
today We're practically unanimous on
the proposition that a grand jury
would aid in the matter. A number
of these opinions are herewith given:
Mayor A. e. Hitchcock-"On the
face OF it, a serious crime has been
committed. 1t should be ferreted out
and the guilt placed where it belongs.
O. T. Litchfeld-"I should think
that this is a case for the grand jury.
Anything that appears as ~disgraceful
as this ought to be investigated. Any
innocent man has nothing to fear.
The regulations of some men under
suspicion should be cleared of any
possible STAIN"
George A. Silsby-"If the law has
been trifled with regarding elections
drastic methods should be used to
punish the Offenders"
Rev. Robert Lincoln Kelley
have not been i'll Mitchell and heard
the facts, but if the statements of the
court are true, it would seem to de-
mand an investigation which only
aigrand jury would give. I don't know
the merits of the case nor am I ac-
quainted with the individuals con
cerned, but the issue is SO large that
it should not be lost sight of for a
moment"
r. C. Burns-"Tt would seem to
me that a grand jury investigation
would be wise. Reflection has been
cast on some people II their skirts
should be cleaned. The city would be
better for 1t and politics would be
cleaner. If anyone is as guilty as the
court intimates, he ought to be fer
'reted out"
i.Dr. G. T. Notson-"A grand jury
should be impaneled, I think. l know
that if 1 were connected with the
case IN any way, I would welcome an
investigation that would sift out the
real facts"
A. C. Miles-"This matter should
be sifted to the bottom. IT there has
been any crooked work, We want to
E1Sn~ ~rvs I~,,A skb NHr- LaT| - -I.