Year: 1874

developments of the past few weeks show him to be untrustworthy in a responsible position. To a very considerable extent, he earned the contempt of the last grand jury owing to his muddled knowledge of his duties and no knowledge of some of them. Months ago, he was dubbed "pin- head {" in this community, because of his very limited information and self-impor- tance. He appears of late to somewhat realize the size of the space he fills in this community, and ought to know that when elected district attorney, the people did it because there was no other one here pro- fessing to be lawyer who would accept the office. Now there are several who will accept and have vastly superior qualifica- tions to his. It is understood that peti- ton will be circulated asking the Cover nor to remove him from the office, and if one be not, 1t should. The Governor has already removed him from two offices of comparative un1mportance and ease to fill, because of his "oficial misconduct'' and "utter incompetency."

 There are now four cases of homicide to be examined before the next grand jury and in all probability in the district court, and also other criminal business of less importance. At the last March term Of the grand jury, he moved and had enter ed, in one case, nol proseQui because of a defect in the indictment drawn by him. self, whereupon that great and selfright- eous Judge, Titus, called another grand jury to give an opportunity to cure the de- feet, and this jury ignored the bill but could not avoid adding to the county debt. At the coming session of the court, it is all important to have indictments so drawn that they will not be thrown out of court and culprits go with them.

 It is almost certain that but for the supersedure of Titus by Judge Dunne, this town would have witnessed some hang ings outside of law within the past few weeks. It is well-known that extra guards were put over the jail, and the Sheriff con- suited the Judge regarding his duties in certain contingencies. Men who possess influence with the enraged people and know Judge Dunne will do his duty, coun- seled forbearance and peace was preserv- ed; but if by the incompetence or untrust- worthiness of the district attorney, crim- | inals escape, it is quite certain there will be more exhibitions of popular violence. However effective a judge may be, he can not cause the punishment of criminals | without a competent district attorney. It is only little while since a Mexican, the murderer of G. R. Whistler, was hung without a trial or conviction, the same as three 8Iexicans were served on the court house plaza August g, 1873. The very best Mexican citizens can't altogether under stand why their own people should be shot down without provocation by Amer jeans who have all the benefits of trials. But they have been restrained from averaging the death of their fellow cOuntrymen, and it is sincerely hoped they may be, as well as that Americans shall be. The county now has compe- tent Judge who will take care that trials shall be so conducted that in a review of the records by the supreme court. they will not be found defective. It is of the utmost importance that both elements of our population be practically convinced that murderers will be properly punished by the court; but without a competent district attorney, the chances are that such practical demonstration will not be made. Lawyers for the defense always take every advantage of a district at- tOrney's ignorance, and even some will of the defects Of his integrity. The people are very anxious that if there be evidence of guilt against any now under charges Of murder in any of it's degrees, he or they shall be legally punished. In no other way can popular violence be ended in this county.

 We regret to feel obliged to mention this matter, for district attorney Hughes is presently smarting pretty keenly under the just treatment of the past few weeks. But the peace Of the community is ot more importance than l.. c. Hughes. should he be permitted to alone conduct the criminal business Of the ensuing ses- sion of court, and it be done correctly and ereditably, we will so record it in these columns. While we do not shrink from 1o1ng him justice in a way that he despises, we will not withhold from him the credit ne may earn. He is very insignificant man, and one that ought not to have op- position only in very fragrant cases. His mind is too small to admit of the exercise 1f charity toward men in hIs power, but that fact shall not initiate against him in our treatment of his ability and actions.

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