The Rock Island Argus and daily union., 1922-11-27
7 INVESTIGATOR FOR STATES
ATTORNEY.

ATTORNEY.
The newest proposal developed by the Rock
{land vice inquiry is for the creation by the
lbck island county board Of the ONCE of
Y l1ecial Investigator to the states attorney.
rrbn 81 Bell, the states attorney, announces that
61tAe next meeting of the county board he
Mask that an appropriation be set aside to
i 4&fray the expense of such an officer The
44ties Of this oficer would be to obtain infor
tAti0n for the states attorney that ordinarily
4(ould be supplied him through the sherifs
@ice.
The Argus hopes the county board will re-
ut the recommendation of the states attor-
Nv. Such suggestion comes with poor grace
II this particular time. with the attorney gen
al OF the state personally conducting an in
V4stigati0n at the expense OF citizens be-
d1use city and county ofAcials had failed in the
H4rfbrmance of their duty. The states attor-
I9y does not now need special investigator.
HIT he did need one on Aug. last, and he could
h4ve had any number he had desired to bring
bout q solution and prosecution of the Bill
q3bel murder.
Clarence Edwkrds becomes sheriff of Rock
Hand county next month. He was elected on
dcampaign pledge Of enforcement of law and
dfaer in Rock Island county. The Argus
q4esn't understand that the states attorneys
c1ace is detective agency. 1t will be time
enough for Mr.. Bell to ask for special nves-
{ tigator when Sheriff Edwards shows disin--
rlination to employ the power of his ONCE to
I curb conditions that the states attorney has
\ reason to believe prevail in Rock Island county
contrary to the peace and dignity Of the state
Cf Illinois. Mr.. Bell must have at least sus-
ptcioned a concerted reluctance on the part of
city and county ofhcias to a serious inquiry into
~ Gabel murder. He would have then been
tekly justified in engaging special investiga-
t1fs. He could have done so on his own re-
sppnsibility. and unquestionably the county
bcnrd would have taken care Of any expense
t4et he,would have had charged to the county
HI In the event OF the creation of special in
ttetigator for the states attorneys Office it is
t3tderstood the position will be given to Jesse
Hanna, deputy sheriff whose Official service
4 ito be terminated with the retirement Of
HIeriR John G. Miller Mr. Hanna. it is under
! t(Qod, was to have been first deputy under
Qeprge H. Richmond in the event the latter had
&.
q capable officer under Sheriff Miller, but it is
| hardly to be expected that he would be retained
py new county ofhcial against whom he used
ne full strength Of his Office at the polls on
Nov. 2.
1.-THE Argus has been assured that Mr. Ed
w4rds is not to play partisan politics in the
fefmation Of his sherif's force He has said
tA4t he proposes surrounding himself with
ypeng men who will be faithful to their oaths
a4 loyal to him and to Rock Island county.
There will be both Democrats and Republicans
IN the shestff's ofacial family. although Mr.,
Mwards was elected on the. Democratic ticket.
Hd realizes however, that he was not elected
All party partisan. He was the victor be-
carse the people wanted a change in the sher-
lAs once. Mr.. Edwards promises rang true,
a4e ne should be afforded an opportunity to
carry them forward unhampered the next four
years.
n IA former deputy sheriff attached to the
states attorneys Office would not be Of any
assistance to the new sheriff Such an officer
wfld inevitably be the cause OF friction BE-
tYeen the Offices Of the states attorney and the
shtrin. The people Of Rock Island county are
ip1Eing null faith in the newly elected sheriff.
Ttey are going to hold him, and not States At
tdney Bell. responsible for the observance Of
laS and order IN Rock Island county the next
fqir years. Mr.. Bells duty is to prosecute
c9,es that are brought to his attention through
constituted police agencies 1t will be
u4e enough for him to ask the taxpayers to
pfqside him with special investigator when
uiqse agencies fail in their proper functioninr.
Edwards has not yet failed as sheriff Of
kpfk Island county.
The taxpayers Of Rock Island are not lust
sneF IN q mood p pay for a special inve.tixa-
S$tces for the states attorneys Office and The
MAftus would suggest to Mr.. Bell that he show
sk41ter justification than has SO far been
u1e manifest Tor the Recommendation he an
z4ences he WI make before the next session
fhe Rock Island county board The sherifY.s
NQ &c Is on the first floor of the court house
1 Bell should mot Be attempting to have it
Ras!psferred to the states attorneys once ON
sl third door.
TIE pEnpr rec lrNlurpcrrv