Grant County herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1850-1968, 1924-09-10
Clementson Wins Case;
Still District Attorney
Will Go Ahead With Investigation in Boscobel
Assault Case With Entirely Free Hand.

Geo. B. Clementson returned from
the state capitol at Madison Tuesday
evening still district attorney OF
Grant county and with free hand
to pursue such investigation as he
sees fit in the Boscobel assault case
and such other matters as are con-
nected with the recent khan parade in
that city.
At Madison Mr.. Clementson's coun-
sci, HI. e. Carthew, conferred with the
governor at length, going into the
whole case. 1t developed that the
governor had been misinfOrmed as to
Mr.. Clementson's attitude, which he
assumed to be partial in handling the
investigation, when, in fact, it was
absolutely impartial.
The governor agreed that he would
be satisfied with tny investigation Mr..
Clementson might make, feeling sure
now that the prosecutor is unbiased.
There the matter rests and Clement
son will proceed along the lines he
had previously laid out.
Mr. Clementson received a letter
from the governor Friday, suspending
him effective Nov. 8, unless the dis
trict attorney could show cause why
such suspension should not become
effective. The governors letter and
Mr.. Clementson's reply are are as
follows:
Madison, Wis, September 4, 1924.
To Mr.. Geo. B. Clementson,
District Attorney for Grant County,
Lancaster, Wisconsin.
Sir:
Under section 4 of article of the
constitution, it is provided that the
governor shall take care that the
laws be faithfully executed"
The only way by which the COVER
nor can carry out that constitutional
duty is through the district attorneys
and sheriffs, as relates to criminal
procedure.
Therefore, when the governor is
pursuing that duty he is entitled to
receive from the district attorneys in
formation and suggestions that will
aid him in carrying out that consti-
tutional mandate.
The Ku Klux Khan is an organiza-
ton that hides itself behind mask,
and as such is a potential menace to
the peace and security of our citizens
under any circumstances. 1t incites
to riots and lawlessness and engen-
ders the possibility of bloodshed, such
as has been repeatedly demonstrated
at Heron, Ill, and other places.
1t has obtained no substantial foot
hold in Wisconsin. 1t must not be per-
mitted to get foothold in Wisconsin.
Your attitude, as evidenced by your
telegram to me of August 23rd, tends
to encourage and give aid and COM
fort to that organization, and tends to
engender bloodshed, such as has oc-
Cured in the last 48 hours at Musco-
da, Wisconsin.
Moreover, your attempt to give the
governors directions partisan and
political appearance is quite contrary
to your obligations as an officer whose
duty it is to prosecute.
The Khan demonstration at Boscobel
on August 18th was menacing. 1t
produced state of fear and terror
among the citizens of that community,
and among the Klansmen were Grim
inals and rapists. Some of them were
known to be carrying concealed
weapons, and altogether the demon
stration was such as to justify the
police officer in unmasking and bring
ing the leaders and bringing to light
the perpetrators of potential mob.
Whether he went beyond the neces-
sary bounds is not a question that
propose to debate. He was not acting
under ordinary circumstances.
Therefore, your failure to carry out
the lawful directions issued to you by
the executive in pursuance of the con-
stitution brings you within the con-
demnation of the. statute and indicates
that you have wilfully neglected and
refused to perform your duties as dis
trict attorney for Grant county.
Therefore, an order has been en-
tered today suspending you from the
office of district attorney for Grant
County, effective on the 9th day of
September, 1924, unless you show
cause before the governor at his Of
flee in the capitol at Madison, Wis
consin, on that day at two o'clock in