Candy, Land Claims and a 'Confidence Man': Arlington's Commissioner Hits Back

George Morrell, the United States commissioner at Arlington, against whom J. Jones, of the same town, about a fortnight ago preferred charges of malfeasance, misfeasance and non-feasance in office, and filed them in the United States court with a petition for his removal, has made answer. He denies each charge as absolutely false. The charge that he obtained his appointment by circulating road petitions and taking names from them to add to the petition for his own appointment he especially denounces as a malignant and slanderous falsehood. The charge that he was guilty of stealing candy and ginger snaps from the country store at Arlington he denies, but treats with contempt as petty and ill-natured. In turn Mr. Morrell makes grave charges against Mr. Jones himself.

There are five counter-affidavits to the charge that Morrell tried to force settlers to make relinquishments to him by promising to loan them money to make final proof, and at the last moment refusing and leaving the settlers at his mercy. C. T. Roscoe, of anti-cigarette law fame, swears that he has been and is now intimately acquainted with the young court commissioner and his land office business, and that to his own knowledge the affidavits charging Morrell with sharp practices in the management of the office are untrue, and Morrell in every particular is honest and honorable in all his business affairs and a just official. It is Mr. Roscoe's opinion that a few of Morrell's neighbors, led by his personal enemies, are anxious to have him removed from the office that some other person may reap the benefit of the opening for settlement of three new townships of land in Snohomish county.

J. W. Frame says that when the petition for Morrell's removal was being circulated he agreed to sign it in case he found the charges true, but finding them false and the people generally confident of 'Judge' Morrell's integrity, he refused. He says that he has had dealings with Morrell and has found him an upright man and good officer; but one who by close attention to business and industry has succeeded financially and thus aroused the jealousy of 'ginger snap' competitors in private business.

A. C. Marmonnier, formerly manager of the Security Savings bank for J. K. Edmiston, makes affidavit that there is no truth in the allegation that Morrell gave a worthless check on the bank, and says that payment was only stopped until Morrell had assured himself that the title to lands on which he had loaned money was perfect. The affidavit of James P. Gleason, of this city, is to the same effect.

In his own reply affidavit Morrell says that Jones' affidavit, in which the latter accuses him of so advising him in regard to land office business that he was compelled to re-advertise in Morrell's newspaper, the Haller City Times, and pay double fees, is not true and was instigated by the fact that he, the commissioner, refused to allow Jones to make final proof with relatives as witnesses. Morrell also says that it is common report that Jones never lived on the land at all. He goes on to say that several of the persons signing the petition for his removal are parties against whom he has foreclosure suits pending, and ends by swearing:

'Jones is thoroughly unreliable and is a general confidence man who is engaged in working up trouble and litigation, and it is common report that he controls business so procured and has certain attorneys dividing the litigation fees with said Jones; that in the capacity of special constable he has on divers occasions arrested parties charged with crime and has "squared" the same by compounding felony, as evidenced by a copy of a letter from A. Jackson, chief of police in Seattle, marked Ex. H; that Jones has a crooked and unsavory record in Arlington and has publicly stated that he would drive this affiant out of business and ruin his reputation by preferring these charges; that the charges are false and malignant and without foundation. Wherefore the affiant asks that the charges be dismissed, etc.'

The letter referred to is dated February 27, 1894, and was written to F. H. Davis, justice of the peace at Arlington, by ex-Police Capt. F. E. Sirne for ex-Chief Jackson. It says that one John Bungas was arrested by the Seattle police on a telegram from Jones charging him with obtaining goods under false pretenses, and that he was given into Jones' care to be taken back to Arlington for trial. It then continues:

'I was much surprised when informed by Mr. Bungas that the constable had "squared" the matter with him by being paid a sum for expenses and a further sum for some other purpose. The constable also took the personal property of Bungas taken from him when he was searched at the police station. I must say that the action of the constable should be investigated, for he had nothing to do but to take the man back for trial. I would not have held the man five minutes had I known the arrest was for the purpose of extortion. I shall be very careful in the future about making arrests for Mr. Jones. I have advised Mr. Bungas to prosecute Jones. It was a high-handed case of business, and I feel sure you do not sanction his action.'

Chief Willard says that the letter was written. It is sent as Morrell says, and the records of the police office show that the arrest was made and the man turned over to Special Constable Jones.