Plentywood herald. [volume] (Plentywood, Mont.) 1908-current, 1930-03-13
The P~lentywOod Herald
The ~PlentywOOd Herald, Inc.
Publishers
Published every Thursday at Plentyw'Ood, Mon
tana where il Is entered in the United States
Po~stofrice as second-class mail matter.
THE COURT AND POLITICS.

f.. Paul. the Herald refrained from any comment OH
the case pending against Mig Collins and Frank FISH
beck. We believe in our courts and respect their hnd-
ings and opinions.
However, it is apparent that Judge Paul dd NOT
ask the Producers News to Withhold its comment, or
that that paper ignored his request
The Producers News, as was expected, used ITS
news columns for the defense of its friend and hencn-
man. Mig Collins. 1t would try to convince the public
that Nig's trial is purely political and has nothing
whatever to do with an alleged heinous crime against
young girls.
The editor OF the Producers News went further than
that in its attempt to influence prospective jurors; it
openly accused County Attorney Grant Blackwell and
Judge S. f. Paul of playing poltics--a charge which,
if made by the Herald, would no doubt have brought
us into court or charges of contempt.
Here are just a few excerpts from the News col
umns of last week:
''The coming Mig Collins Frank Fishbeck
trial, which is expected to occur at a special term
of court at Plentywood, starting Thursday, March
&c, is looked upon as a sort of an opening OF the
Sheridan county political campaign. ....
at is reported that County Attorney Bake
we'll pressed hard for a special term at this par
ticular time, in spite of the ~inclemency OF the
weather and the difficulties confronting jurymen
in coming to the county seat thru the snow. The
reason given is that he wanted to try the Mig Col
lnS-F lSnDeck cdSe a. Soou dS Possioic, oHu "A"e
sentiment is hot.
"A great many people express the belief
that there is a lot of politics connected with the
calling Of a special court term at this time, -.
saying that the matter of certain Of the trials may
be used for political campaign purposes, and If
delayed until June, it was possible that the time
available for its use before the primaries would
be altogether too short to get the best results.
However, it is hoped that Judge Paul will
be able to preside as it is understood that the de-
PENDANTS prefer to be tried by him. $500"
These are not all of the paragraphs found in
the Producers News which were intended to influence
jurors in favor of Mig Collins and Frank Fishbeck,
who are to face trial on charges which,, if proven,
should send them to the penitentiary.
The News states that "Oscar Collins and Ted
Winters had been laying for Mig for some time, with
Indifferent luck-'till finally the episode of January
18th, gave the shakedowns and whiskey ring its oppor-
tunity."
The News says even more than that, but the
above excerpts are sufficient to show where the editor
Of the Producers News stands when it comes to the
question of Mig Collins liberty or the protection of
high school girls.
The paragraphs quoted are also sufficient TO
prove that the editor of the Producers News and Mig
Collins, who has never done a decent thing IN his lie
that we know of, are bound together with ties which
lO4IlS wa NNAANo NN
tire county.
In our long residence in Montana we never be-
fore knew of any newspaper or editor boldly accusing
a District Judge or County Attorney OF calling a term
Of court for political purposes. Judge Paul has been
twice elected with the support OF the Producers News
but no opposition paper has accused nm OF calling
court terms to further his political interests. But the
News makes that charge at its first opportunity when
it believes that to do so will help its fellow gangster'
Mig Collins.
Just how far is the Producers News, in its eff
forts to protect %gangsters, to be allowed to 60 IN It's
charges against the courts, the prosecuting attorney
and other officers.
Is the Producers News, supported by all gang
om-bootleggers robbers, thieves, rapist and thugs
laying down the challange to our courts? Or is it fight
ing with its back 70 the wall against a complete ex-
posture of its corrupt practices in general?
1t is quite generally known that right at the
present time the Producers News and its ~gangsters ax
employing every possible method to influence pros
pective jurors-discussing the case with them, telling
them that County Attorney Blackwell and Judge Pau
are playing politics, accusing officers OF trying Il
railroad" Mig Collins, etc.
We have a letter in our possession written b.
Editor Charles E. Taylor, and signed by him, stating
that Mig Collins is a dapper gentlemen, quick on tn
trigger, and that our high school girls and their moth
ers are prostitutes. Taylor was not satisfied with mail
ing just one Of these letters-he mailed out five o
them that we know of, perhaps more.
What a fine creature is this man Taylor! Is
any wonder he puts all the resources of the Producer
News at the service Of Mig Collins?
Yet, all of Editor Taylor's efforts only add proc
to the Herald charges that the Producers News, con
ruption and graft are synonymous.
We believe in the people of Sheridan Count.
We believe in our courts. We believe that the poop
of Sheridan County are the best judges of its ow
citizens, and we believe in their ability to judge fair
and impartially.
The Producers News may lead a few wea
minded creatures around by the nose and make the
do its bididng-it may even be successful in securir
a deadlocked july panel for Mig Collins--but we firm
believe that the majority of the people of this coun
are capable of Judging for themselves and that tn,
can distinguish court trials from political campaign