Evening Republican, Volume 17, Number 1, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 1 January 1913 — New Suits Filed. [ARTICLE]

New Suits Filed.

H. E. Parkison vs. Mary Margaret Fisher, et al; petition to sell real estate. Daniel Messner, et al, vs. James Sheldon; suit on note. Dixon & Co., vs. John M. Knapp, suit on account. Pearl, Davis vs. Walker Township, Jasper County, Indiana. Alleges that cow was killed by having been bitten by dbg with rabies and that Trustee Karch refuses to settle. Asks S6O.

In drawing some conclusions from a statement of the facts surrounding the arrest and release of a man on a charge of drunkenness last week, The Republican made, as It is x now convinced, a mistake in saying that It did not seem right fir City Attorney Leopold to counsel Sheriff Hoover. The city attorney is only obliged to represent the city in things covered by city ordinances and it is not a part of his duty to engage in any prosecutions for violations of state laws, which would leave him free to defend any person he chose. The salary of the city attorney is S2OO a year, and this would not justify him in discarding very much private business and none where.there was not a conflict with his duties as the legal adviser of the city. The trouble in this case was not a city matter and if Sheriff Hoover was liable for the release of the prisoner and was to be prosecuted for his act, it would be the prosecuting attorney of the district and not the city attorney who would prosecute. As The Republican stated In the first instance the matter was one of rather small importance. The influence brought upon the sheriff to release the prisoner, who was Incarcerated

for drunkenness without any charge being filed, was strong, ana there was sufficient guarantee that the prisoner would be produced when wanted. The guarantee was verbal but it was made by responsible men and the sheriff accepted It. What would probably have been very much better would have been for the sheriff to have called the officer who had made the arrest and have asked him to acquiesce in the action. There is, however, a deeper question involved, and that is the rights that the city officers have to use the jail for prisoners they arrest. There has always been conflict between the sheriffs and city officials and this question should be settled and an effort made to bring peace to all who have participated in the recent unpleasantness. J ■■ ' 1111 " ■ ■ ’ - If Lee says so he will.