The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1923-10-25
TO THE CITIZENS AND TAX
PAYERS OF GARRETT
COUNTY.


Ladies and Gentlemen:-Regarding
the political situation in Garrett coun-
ty, the States Attorneyship seems to
be the center of interest, as it was
four years ago, when Mr.. William R.
Offutt, the present incumbent of that
office, defeated Mr.. Jones, the present
tax assessor of Garrett county, by
quite majority.
Being a lifelong Republican, but
always first having the best inter
ests Of Garrett county at heart, l sup
ported Mr.. Of'utt and watching close
Iy his manner of conducting this most
important office, | have many times
conplimented myself upon the wis
dom of my selection of a man for this
place and have had confirmed beyond
the question of a doubt that the pol
icy Of the citizens and taxpayers of
Garrett county in selecting a candi-
date for a local office of this sort
should be to consider the man and
place him above petty politics or the
strengthening of a political machine
for the benefit of a favored few who
profit and those few only who cOnsti-
tute themselves as the leaders of their
party and seek to gain their ends by
defeating d good man OF whom TIE
citizens and taxpayers of this county
should be proud that he will devote
his talent and qualifications to this
Office for the benefit Of the people of
Garrett county.
Mr.. Ofutt may well be proud of
his record as States Attorney and
confidently stand upon that record.
l had the pleasure OF serving upon
one OF the grand iulies in the Circuit
Court for Garrett county during his
administration and noticed how well
he had all of his papers prepared and
how he had laid out the routine Of the
work for the jury; noticed his honest
efforts to enforce all laws, including.
Of course, the prohibition laws, and
among the many indictments found
there were a number Of indictments
found for violation Of the liquor laws.
and during the two or three days this
jury was in session | constantly heard
comments and remarks compliment
ing Mfr. Ofutt upon how he had faciI-
ltated the work, upon his untiring en-
ergy and assistance, and upon his ear
nest efforts to diligently enforce the
law, but having in mind all the time
to save the tax payers any useless ex-
pense and to administer the duties Of
the Office feaTlessly, faithfully ard
without favor or Partially. Many
OF these remarks came from men who
had served on previous grand iuIies,
and the only complaint which | heard
was that MI. OGutt was working too
hard and working Us too hard, for he
convened US at nine in the L,ylning
and adjourned only one-hah n2ue for
lunch and kept us in session uuyiI six
or after in the evening.
While was on the grand jury, Mr..
Ofutt explained to US the prohibit
ton laws Of Maryland and Garrett
county, an dafter hearing his expla-
nation Of these law, or rather limited
laws, We were amazed how he ever
secured the many indictments and
convictions he has. I believe in this
past June he secured fines of from
$1,000 to S25OO and some jail sente,,-
ces.
After hearing his explanations, we
asked him why he did not explain
these lax laws to the people and he
replied he thought it would be rather
indiscreet or would probably encour-
age present bootleggers or would-be
bootieggers, but in justice to him |
am going to explain it, for l think
that it will have a good effect in that
it will awaken the people of the coun-
ty to the need of some legislation
with teeth in concerning liquor.
As | recall it and which | have had
confirmed by another authority before
writing this letter, Mr.. Offutt said
that to begin with that we have no
State or local law which prohibits
the distillation of whiskey or moon
shine, this being entirely up to the
Federal government, and that he
could only notify them as he always
did when receiving the information,
and had caused many arrests, with
out cost to Garrett county in this
way. | am further informed that
while we have law which prohibits
the sale of liquor or intoxicants, this
must always be proven to have been
an actual sale by competent testi-
mony, and | know and you should
know that the bootlegger is cunning
and adopts every subterfuge and
scheme to carry on his nefarious
game / am told that he will not sell
when there are two parties present; ;
that he will not sell to a stranger,
thereby cutting off to a great extent
the nosSibilitv of witnesses to his