Rensselaer Republican, Volume 12, Number 34, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 14 May 1880 — For Prosecuting Attorney. [ARTICLE]

For Prosecuting Attorney.

Frank ,W. Babcock, Esq., the present incumbent of the office of Prosecuting Attorneys a candidate for re-election, in whirb the indications are he will be successful. Petbaps there is not another man in ibis judicial district better qualified tor the position than he, and the people observing his ability and diligence will doubtless give him their unanimous support for another term. The following bit of welluierited praise we copy from the Fowler Era: -. Frank W. Babcock, prosecuting attorney, has been in constant attendance at court this term, and haa done noble service in behalf of the State. It can be truly said of Mr. Babcock that ho is a Lard worker and an upright gentleman, and a good lawyer. He has gained for himself an enviable reputation as a E leader, and it is conceded by the ar throughout the Circuit, that we have not had a prosecuting attorney who has been more successful with hisindictmentsand affidavits. Comparatively few of these have been held bad by the court. In the case of the State vs Harry Dickinson tried at the present term of court, he has shown himself to be equal to the emergency, and proved himself more than a match for Col. DeHart, who was tor the defense. His whole management of the case, and his argument before the jury, was spoken of in the highest praise. Although there was a strong pressure brought to bear upon him by a few persons who were deeply interested in Dickinson’s behalf, yet he never wavered, but pursued his course of dnty, and cbalenged in open court his brazen accusers, to show wherein he had gone out side of his sworn duty as an officer. We cannot praise Mr. Babcock too highly fur his entire course in this matter. Wc have no fears that Mr. B. can be influenced in his duty by any threats, or anything ot the kind, but will simply pursue the course marked out to him by law. We have no opinion to express as to the guilt or innocen«e of Mr. Dickin son, he is charged with a grave crime, and is entitled to the presumption of innoccnse which the law throws around him. In tlie case of the State vs James Rhoades for contempt of court, Mr. Babcock’s course was manly; he acted under the direct instructions of the court, and met every question fairly and sqarely. The affi davit and information which he prepared in the case were models of rhetoric of which any one might be proud.. The entire bar spoke of them as being carefully, accurately and elegantly drawn, and perfect models of pleading.. In short we BaV that Mr. B. has been an efficient and faithful officer; he has made a good record; he is now better prepared than ever to perform the duties of the office, and we think that the public interest and the sentiment of the majority ot law abiding citizens in the Circuit, demand that he be the next Republican candidate for Prosecuting Attorney fur the 30th judicial circuit.