The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-05-05
ExoNERATE.

ExONERATE.
In The TRIBUNE Of April 28th |
was published an article calling |
the grand jury's attention to a let
ter published by Probate Judge |
JENKINS in q previous issue. In
that article THE TRIBUNE laid
down the following propositions:
First, that the charge conveyed in
Judge JENKINS letter was of a
character to imperatively demand
scrutinous investigation by the
grand jury, and if the jury refused
Of neglected to make such investi-
CATION they would be false to their
oaths and recreant to the obliga.
tons which they were solemnly
bound to discharge. Second, that
as the grand jury is body created
for the express purpose of conserv-
ing public morals and public well
fare, The TRIBUNE would feel NOR
ally bound to rest on their findings.
To repudiate q grand jury is
neither more nor less than to abso-
lutely deny the integrity of the
people and admit a degree of popu-
lar corruption which we are not
prepared to believe exists in this
county at this time. Third, that
an investigation was due the &C.
cused as we'll as the public and
that if the grand jury failed to find
criminality, the accused were en-
titled to honorable acquittal at the
bar of public opinion as we'll as in
the eyes of the law. In order 10
fortify itself, in any event, THE
TRIBUNE made extensive inquiries
as to the reputability of gentlemen
composing the grand jury and the
universal expression was emphatic
ally favorable. We have ample
testimony upon which to believe
that if Canyon county, or even the
state of Idaho, were searched from
center to circumference q more
strictly honorable and representa-
tive body of men could not be
found. This is the verdict of the
people. The grand jury have in
yestigated the matter at issue and
officially proclaim that no criminal
charge can lie against gentlemen
animadverted upon in Judge JEN-
KrNs' letter. If after having all the
testimony before them, these six.
teen, oath-bound, representative
men find no evidence of crime, the
people of this county should accept
their verdict without question or
hesitation. They must do this or
charge the jurors themselves with
ignorance or venality. It is not
now a matter of upholding the &C.
cused. Their innocence can not be
questioned without charging on the
grand jury an offense ten thousand
times more criminal in it's nature,
far reaching and damaging in its
scope and influence. 1t is for the
people to determine whether or not
they have any just grounds upon
which to base even a suspicion
which carries with it an odium re-
flecting directly upon themselves.
The TRIBUNE, compelled to believe
in the intelligence and integrity Of
the grand jury, by the voice and
sentiment Of the people themselves,
cheerfully accepts the result of
their investigation as just and true.
The Board Of County Commission
ers stand exonerated from any
faint of wrong doing and in the
matter under inquiry acted con.
scientifically and according to their
belief and judgment. So says the
grand jury. That disposes of the
matter finally and satisfactorily.
With respect to alleged misrepre-
ssntations made to Judge JENKINS,
the report Of the jury is not clear
but We take it that the intention of
the jury was TO convey the idea
that the Judge is laboring under q
misrepresentation. This is q mat
tor Of discrepancy between the I'm.
derstandings and recollectiors of
individuals and does not necessar.
lily involve any degree Of criminal
ity. When people engage in an Of
fort to procure the sinews of war
for . political battle, they do not
always weigh their words and rep
reservations with scrupulous nicely,