The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-10-20

At I1-COURlGR
would request the governor to appoint
sucn special counsel. told him that
only TWO reason had been urged as rea-
sons why Mr.. Walker should be APP
| pointed as special counsel to assist the
attorney general, and by him assigned
! TO tne kenosha county cases. The
nrst reason was that it would afford
the governor an opportunity of making
special contract with Mr.. Walker
whereby Mr.. Walker could be paid more
imam ne is receiving under employment
Dy Aenosha county. 1 said that l did
not think that Mr.. Walker would care
TO nave me urge the governor to make
Ine appointment on any such ground.
Inc other reason urged upon me by
Mr.. Symmonds was that it would trans
Ter the financial burden of pay for Mr.
walkers services from Kenosha coun-
ty TO the state; and I told him that
the appointment on any such ground
would do violence to the intent of the
statute, and was not in my opinion a
proper ground to ask for the appoint
ment Of special counsel. I also stated
that it was unnecessary to have any
recommendation from the attorney
general.
The Constitution charges the gov
ernor with the duty of seeing that the
laws are executed The governor need
ed no recommendation from me if he
! was convinced that proper case ex-
listed for the appointment of special
counsel, but I assured both Mr.. Sym
monds and Mr. Walker that if Mr..
Walker was appointed special counsel
l would certainly be glad to assign him
to the Kenosha county work.
Gets Dope First Hand.
Following that conference, l had oc-
caslon to be in Kenosha county, and I
conferred with persons interested in
the enforcement of the law, and in
cleaning up the situation. I was then
convinced that another reason existed
Tor the appointment of special counsel
than had heretofore been urged upon
me, and that was that it was not
enough to have Mr.. Walker assisting
IN the prosecution of these cases. /
pSSeAAAC SOHNluC0Q GHaG Mr. w alkeT
ought to be in charge of the situation.
Accordingly, upon my return, address
ed the following letter to Governor
Blaine, on October 3:
Honorable John J. Blaine,
Governor of Wisconsin,
Capitol. r
Dear Governor:
Respecting the grand jury investi-
cations In Kenosha county and indict-
ments growing out of the same, await
Ing trial, which have been the subject
of recent correspondence between US,
beg to advise you that Mr.. Baker has
visited Kenosha county and gone into
the situation with the district attorney
and other public officials.
"The district attorney has been hav-
ing the assistance of Attorney Morti-
mer Walker of Racine, who was en-
ployed by the county prior to your ap-
pointment of Frank S. Symmonds. as
district attorney. 1t was the desire OF
Mr. Symmonds that you appoint Mr.
Walker as special counsel and that ]
assign him to assist Mr.. Symmonds
in these prosecutions in Kenosha coun.
ty, in order that the burden of expense
be borne by the state, rather than the
county of Kenosha. I refused to rec.
, ommend the appointment of Mr. Walk
er as special counsel on any such
ground and he has continued to assist
the district attorney. Mr.. Bakers as,
-sistance has not been required by the
district attorney under these circum.
stances, and he has not called upon
him for further assistance.
II am now advised that practically
no progress has been made in the
grand jury Investigation in Kenosha
7 county in the past six weeks. visited
Kenosha county last Saturday and
am writing this letter to adyise yor
that there is a very strong sentiment
that Mr.. Walker should have charge Of
the grand jury investigation and prose
cution of any indictments returned BY
them on the part of those concerned
I with the enforcement Of the crimina
! laws in that county. / know Of no way
in which he can be placed in charge
of the situation except by being ap
pointed special counsel to assist tbs
dIIO1Aey SSHetdl ny YOU, anu CHeH US
ing assigned to this work by me.
"It is not necessary for me to 60 int
detail as to the situation in that coun
ty, inasmuch as it has all been laiC
before you by local officials, but an
, writing this letter to assure you tina
if Mr.. Walker is appointed specia
counsel to assist the attorney genera
! in the matters above set forth, I viii
direct him to assume charge of thu
grand jury Investigations in behalf O.
the state and to prosecute such indict
ments as may be returned, or such al
have already been returned.
Yours very truly,
VIM. ]. Morgan,
Attorney General"
Strong Sentiment for Walker.
. Notwithstanding my calling the gov
S ernor's attention to the fact that Mr.