The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1921-10-13
CLAIMS BLAINE'S
HANDS ARE TIED
District Attorney Sym
m0nds Comments More
on Appointment.
MORE Law IS CITED
Prosecutor Answers Statement
that Attorney General Was
Not to Blame.

Declaring that the governors hands
were tied" by the action of the at
torney general, District Attorney
Frank S. Symmonds today issued an
answer to friends of the attorney gen
eral, William L. Morgan, who resented
the presentation of the case involv-
ing the appointment of Attorney Nor
timer Walker as special prosecuting
attorney to aid in the handling of
grand jury cases, as made by Mr..
Symmonds last week before the Keno
sha Kiwanis club. In his answers to
these critics, District Attorney SYM
monds cites more of the law to show
that it was within the province of the
attorney general to take some action
in this case and help lift the entire
financial burden of this prosecution
off the county.
He makes a special point of the fact
that it was requested that Attorney
Walker be named as Special Counsel
to the Attorney General" which fact
makes a great difference in the aspect
of the case.
Points Out Difference.
The statement is self explanatory
and reads as follows:
Editor Evening News:
Dear Sir:
Will you please permit me space in
your paper to answer your article
entitled, Declare Morgan Was Not
to Blame"
| do not criticise the law you quote;
but do, the deductions you draw there
from, merely wish to present to
your readers the proper view point of
the law you quote and to quote few
more lines of the statutes to show that
Mr.. Morgan was solely and WIDELY
the reason of Mr.. Walker not being
attached as special counsel to the at
torney generals Office. 1t would seem
that all it would be necessary in this
matter, is to properly state the posi-
ton which /, with others, sought to
have Mr.. Walker named to fill, that of
Especial Counsel to the Attorney
General in order to determine who
is to blame" for his not being
so acting
1t certainly would be strange con-
dition of affairs if the attorney gen
eral were not permitted to name any
and all assistants or counsel he might
require, inasmuch as the law holds
him responsible for the fulfillment of
the duties of such office.
Permit me to state that l do not
care to further any ASPIRATIONS which
Mr.. Morgan's friends may have, or
which he may have, as candidate for
governor, by answering your article.
1t is merely for the interests of those
who are directly and unselfshIy in
terested in the cleaning up Of vice
and crime which has so tenaciously
gripped our county, that 1 desire to
direct these remarks and the truth of
the situation, relative to the employ
ment of Mr.. Walker so that the
county would be relieved of the ex-
pense therefore.
Shows the Situation.
1t is most serious situation which
the district attorney and other law
enforcement officials have to face. and
it is matter of supreme Importance
that it be demonstrated right here in
Kenosha county whether it shall be
possible, as we believe it is to enforce
our laws or whether grating politi-
clans, bootleggers, gamblers and pros
titues govern the affairs of our
county insofar as law enforcement is
concerned
The fact is, that Mortimer Walker
is too large and too conscientious a
man in every way to be influenced by
any other concern than his duty as
special prosecutor or counsel in the
matters pertaining to the grand jury
work. However, many of us who were
close to his splendid work have felt
that his work could be made more eff
fective had he been able to have work
ed out of the attorney generals office,
as such condition would have given
greater prestige before the public.
However, probably it is just as well
left as first begun, i.e., as special
CouHSeI uHCer LHe appointment OF
Judge Belden, considering the attitude
of the attorney generals Office. Mr..
Walker will remain as special counsel
to the district attorney, but at the
expense of the county instead of state.
May Secure Legal Aid.
1t is distinctly the duty, except as
specially provided, of the district at
torney to prosecute all criminal &C
tions in the circuit and municipal
courts of Kenosha county. He, how
ever, is allowed special counsel upon
his request being made to the circuit
court, as provided in section 1914 OF
the statutes; and the court then makes
the order for the appointment of the
same, the county paying the expense.
This, Judge Belden did in the instance
of Mr.. Walker who is allowed for su:h
services not to exceed $500 per day
for each day actually occupied in such
prosecution ard not to exceed $500
per day for not more than five days
actually and necessarily occupied in
Z i