Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1917-08-01
MR.. ELTON,S STATEMENT

E#HIne statement by states Attorney I. b. Elton, pub
lfshed in Tuesday mornings Herald, which. with its in-
cluded correspondence, is substantially a reproduction of
his remarks at the Presbyterian church on Sunday even
ing, merits careful reading by those who really wish to
know the facts with reference to the Tissue Of veracity
which has been raised between Mr.. Elton and r. Z wat
kins. state agent Of the North Dakota Enforcement league,
and with reference to Mr.. Elton's attitude toward enforce
ment Of the laws Of the state.
IN the statement which he made to The Herald after
the raid on the East Grand Forks brewery. and which
he read before publication, Mr.. Watkins said:
We did not take the local states attorney in on
the case for the simple reason that he did not hold
out any promise Of cooperating with us. I wrote him
some time ago telling him what he could do, but I
got no favorable reply.
AS Mr.. Elton points out, that language is capable Of
ten to Mr.. Elton in reference to this East Grand Forks
matter, and had received an unfavorable reply. If he had
received no reply at all he would have said SO. The in
ference which the reader must draw is that Mr. Elton did
reply, and that his reply was >unfavorable.
Mr.. Elton declares that he never received a letter
from Mr.. Watkins on this subject. or on, any other except
In relation to the sale Of snuff. In that matter, in response
to Mr.. Watkins letter telling him what he could do"
Mr.. Elton replied, citing facts. to show that he had been
doing it right along. without waiting for the unofficial in
structions of Mr.. watkins. That constituted the whole Of
the correspondence. When Mr.. Elton says that he received
no other letter from MI. watkins, and naturally, that he
sent no answer, that closes the discussion on that point.
Mr.. Elton is not a liar. 4
The correspondence which Mr.. Elton quotes is illu-
minating. It shows that instead Of being the lazy. indif-
ferent official. or the official in sympathy with law-break-
ers. as Mr.. Watkins would have us believe. Mr.. Elton mas
been alert and visiant. He has instituted numerous pros
ecutions for violation Of the prohibitory law and has Sc
cured convictions. More important than this. he has
caused the discontinuance of q method or handling intox-
icants which he was convinced was unlawful, namely, the
delivery Of beer in North Dakota by brewery wagons. He
has been in correspondence with Polk county officials
and with the attorney general Of North Dakota and in
personal consultation with a representative Of the attor-
ney generals office on other phases Of the subject. He
has sought from the attorney general Of his state advice
on questions of law and methods Of procedure. as he wish
ed his own action to be in harmony with that Of the at
torney general; and to these requests he has received no
reply: He has, been doing this quietly and industriously,
without fanfare Of trumpets or beat Of drum. He has
conducted himself in all respects as a self and
faithful public servant.
When a man who has thus conducted himself is sub
ljected. as. Mr.. Elton has been. to reckless mis-statements
which reflect on hts faithfulness as an officer and his hon
Iorsas q man, he would be less than human If he did not
feel resentment. And, while Mr.. Elton has shown that he
does resent the injustice that has been done him, he states
his case simply and straight-forwardly, and with admir-
able restraint. +