The Eureka sentinel. [volume] (Eureka, Nev.) 1902-current, 1922-07-22
HAS MESSAGE FOR
RANCH INTERESTS
Vernon Metcslf, Secretary Nevada
Land and Livestock Association,
Talks Right Out Concerning
Election Necessities

secretary of the Nevada Land and
Livestock Association, sets forth
some truth OF vital Importance to
the farmers Of Nevada, as well as
to people in other walks Of life.
Editorially. Mr.. Metcalf says:
Once more Nevadans are confronted
with the necessity Of selecting a large
number Of State and county officials
to direct their government affairs
for a period Of years.
So far as the State and county
government goes, there is little IL
anything to warrant a partisanship
attitude. There Is Just n issue in
volved and that is, are we going
to have a State and county govern
ment Of responsible, representative
Nevadans Of affairs or a government
Of good fellows of the political class.
a class that can afford to spend a lot
Of time and a bit Of money getting
these public jobs, because II they
don't get them they won't have any
thing else to turn to.
The answer depends absolutely
upon the amount of interest shown
in the campaign by the two sides.
The class whose property invest
ments and work of a life time are
at stake are in the majorfty-but,
as always has been and as probably
always will be the case. a half heart
ed and d~isinterested majority makes
easy picking for an active and in
terested minority.
AS a representative of the interests
o, the s~tockgrowers and ranchers of
Nevada, l want to tell you. straight
from the shoulder and without mine
ing of words at a time when your in
terests are so vitality at stake. just
what my experience has been in at
tempting to improve your conditions
in matters connected with your State
and county governments. There r
too many officials with whom we
must deal every year to attempt to
cover the whole story. A sample or
so should suffice.
Most cattle and sheep growers
and ranchers in Nevada are vitality
interested in efforts to cut down
losses of livestock from theft. 1t is
a notorious fact that convictions in
connection with this crime have been
few and far between compared to the
number of trials. A carful study of
the reason why leads US to the con-
viction hat county oficers-not all,
but many-have not shown much
interest in the matter.
Prosecutions must be directed by
the various district attorneys. When
you help select your district attor-
ney ask yourself just what you can
expect from him in this line.
Juries-here is the biggest Of all
are selected very largely by the
county commissioners, at least they
select the jury panels from the vot-
ers' lists. A very great deal depends
upon the county commissioners or
the chairman of that board as to the
general makeup of a jury. OF course.
a fair number of representative, law
abiding people r bound to slip in,
but 1t only takes a few of the 'tin
horn" class to give the lawyers max
ing a practice Of defending our GRIM
inals almost a ''cinch" on the verdict.
One such person can hang a jury.
One or two who happen to be good
takers, can and often have o a
majority against them over to the
side of the defense.
County commissioners who really
want to see the laws upheld can very
materially help to guarantee such a
result in their jury panel selections,
particularly II they know they have
the backing and support of the rep
resentatfve people.
Just keep that In mind when it
comes to help select those who are
going to be your county commission
ers.
This is just a small sample of the
power Of county commissioners. They
are not the county directors of your
individual business affairs-but they
are the county directors and your
business welfare is largely al their
mercy. One intentional or misguided
step out of the way on their part
can. and often has. taken away a
years effort on your part to make
that business-which you feel must
have your undivided time with no
time for what you are pleased to call
"politics"-look 70 sick that you