The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-01-20

PARKERSBURG, w. ", Jan. 2O.-
Fifteen minutes in the Federal Court
this morning with Judge Dayton on
the bench, few remarks from attor-
neys on both sides, the entering OF
judgments against those of the former
post Office employees who were fined,
a short speech by Judge Dayton and
the Fairmont post office case, one OF
the most unique in the history OF the
postoffice department, became a thing
OF the past.
Attorney w S. Meredith, OF Fair
mont, told the court that his men were
willing to plead nolo contendere, En-
NETT Showalter said his clients were
likewise to enter the same plea. AS
per tho compromise yesterday, Dis
trict Attorney Walker then recon.
mended the following fines in the case
and the court ordered the judgments
entered up.
Fleming, $3.50; Sylvester Clayton,
$3.50; Perry D. Burton, 500; w. Z.
Satterneld, q. Satterfield, Russell
Clayton, f. A. Cirmo, G. "A. Robinson,
Harvey Pitzer, Harry Pitzer. A. l.. B.
Dudley, Walter Wiley, D. b. Henry,
$25 each; Frank R. Barnes, James
Bender, II. s. Kopp, Everett Hale, Ray.
mond Haller, ] w. Phillips, J. A.
Cochron. J. F. Shaffer, Charles Bart
lett, E. b. Harden, IS each.
J. T. Kramer C. o. Hayhurst and !.
Christie were dismissed without fine.
w. H. Fisher, who committed suicide
last night, would have been dismissed
without fine had be appeared. He was
listed for dismissal on the District AT;
tofney's list.
Attorney Meredith expressed him
self as well pleased with the outcome
of the case and said that 1t was the
best that could be had, taking every
thing into consideration.
"The way the case ended 1t leaves
no moral stigma on any OF the deten'
dants and does not in any way keep
them from again holding office under
the civil service"
In a brief comment at the end Of the
case Judge Dayton in court this morn
ing EXPRESSED this general thought.
He said that it gave him profound
sense of relief to see the case ended
in such q manner; that he was con-
ytnced that none of the men connect
ed with the case and who resigned
their positions last November realized
that they were doing an act OF serious
nature. They had technically broken
a Federal statue, but they did not have
any intention to commit a felony In de-
laying the mails. They stood techni'
cally guilty, and morally innocent, but
owing to the fact that the effectiveness
of the law must be upheld 1t was need
full to make some action in the Fair
mont case. The court expressed great
satisfaction that the case had been
settled without the necessity OF drag
Eing through jury trial. !,
District Attorney Walker allowed
those fined sixty days in which to
make the payment. He said he would
give a longer period to any one VINO
might not be able to pay all at that
time.
The majority of the postofice men
will leaveshere at o'clock getting 70
Fairmont at eight. They all want TO
shake the dust Of Parkersburg from
their feet just as soon as possible.
Had known OF Fishers mental
and physical condition a few days
ago." said District Attorney walker
last night, II think should have tax"
en- the bull by the horns and told him
that he had little to fear in the result
Of the case. I shall certainly clear his
name in court"
When the men under Indictment ar
rived here last night and were told
Just what the situation was many of
them expressed themselves to the eff
feet that they had to submit to the
compromise or continue the ordeal of
being worn down" by the govern
ment which has abundance of money
and determination to fight the case
while the post office men had no mon
ey. to fight. In case Of hung jury,
the post office men believed the gov
ernment would carry the case to an.
other jury at the next federal court
meeting at MartinsburgsS and SO. on
until the case had been won by the
Nolo contendere, or bankruptcy and
defeat byicircumstances against which
they could not cope on equal terms
with the government was their only.
They chose the former.
Many OF the men who came over on
..-7s - : i7.7r7--7-7