Trial Of The Attorney General

The trial of Attorney General Ellis on the charge of uttering a false record began Monday before Judge Pearson at Mason. The nature and gravity of the offense charged, the the prominence and distinguished public service of the defendant, as well as the legal talent arrayed on either side all indícate that the trial will be one of the most memorable in the history of the state. While there is a strong desire among the people to have the party or parties responsible for the infamous amendment frauds brought to justice for their crimes against the ballot, there is at the same time a disposition to give the defendant the full benefit of the presumption of innocence until he is proven guilty. This is due on account of his previous high character and honorable record. On the other hand the crimes committed are of such a nature that there can be no extenuating or paliating circumstances, and if it be proven that they were conceived and executed by those who were intrusted with the duty of faithfully carrying out the people's mandate and upholding the purity of the ballot and the majesty of the law, then there should be visited upon the offenders the extreme penalty provided for such offenses. Under such circumstances the previous record for right living, whereby the confidence of the people was won only to be betrayed, should opérate against the offender instead of in his favor. What the people desire in all these cases is that those responsible for the crime of falsifying their will and thereby rendering popular government insecure shall be ferreted out and brought to justice. They care not what party label the rascáis wear or what party is advantaged or disadvantaged, nor do they desire that any one shall be made a scapegoat for the crimes of others. It is to be hoped that the innocence of the attorney general may be established as a result of the trial, but if he is proven guilty there should be and will be no disposition to shield him in any way. Let justice be done.