The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1898-01-01
Fh0 Governor Punches Tickets at the
Door Of ChalCeEy,
BOB GETS A CUE AND FILES 4 BRIEF
The OWyheo Bond Case-Justices to be
Influenced Attorneys Smell Danger
Fighting for Durrant's Life
School Report.

Boise, Dec 3O.-[Special correspond
ence THE TRIBUNE. IA rumor of
strange and menacing character has
gained currency here, and appears to
be supported by somu circun stantial
evidence. The rumOr is TO the effect
that while on his visit to the northern
part of the state, Governor Steunen-
berg had an interview with a very
prominent gentleman of that section,
IN which the govarnor agreed to have
acOnference with the justices of the
Supreme Court, and endeavor to in
asLelee them to so color their future
decisions involving the principles of
the lannon's fee bill case as TO escape
the logical consequences Of the decis-
ton in that case. The tenor of the At
torney Generals brief in the Owyhee
bond case, gives rise to the suspicion
that there may be some collision, and
that in this case the court will perform
some legal and rhetorical gymnastics,
while the governor punches the
tickets at the door of Chancery. OF
course this is mere suspicion, but it
seems that there is some basis of fact
I. to the rumor that the governor had
saagreed to intercede with the court.
Whether or not he has approached the
court, can not be said. The impression
prevails that any such presumption
ON the part of the executive would
meet with open rebuke by the court.
Such an unwarrantable exercise of ex-
ecutive influence would hardly seem
probable in one who prides himself,
as does the Governor, asSone in whom
there is no political guide, one to
whom the schemes and tricks of politi-
clans are foreign. 1t is hoped that
public judgment will be suspended, in
view of the general assumption of in
nocence, until more specific facts are
known. In the meantime, it is to be
sincerely hoped that the court of last
resort in this State is not to be made a
cats paw to pull the administration
out of hole.
The position taken by Attorney Cen
eral in his brief in the Owyhee case is
generally combatted by members of
the bar, and there is talk of the Bar
Association appointing a man to COM
bat the agreement before the Court.
1t is said that the practice will easily
be adjusted to the decision in the fee
bill case and that the evils apparent
because of that decision :can be cured
by a future legislature, but that if the
position which the Attorney General
assumes be sustained great uncertainty
will follow in practices moreover, the
court will make itself legislature TO
to cure void acts. Attorneys say that
the court will hardy enact a new stat
ute of limitations.
The Attorney General is mistaken
in some of his alleged facts stated in
the brief. For example, he says that
Canyon and Owyhee Counties have is
sued bonds under the act in question,
and that, as result great interests
have attached under the law. The
fact is, as 1 hear, that neither county
has issued bond. Mr., Watts, the OPP
posing attorney has not yet filed
his brief. He will relieve the pressure
on the bar, if be thoroughly punctures
the ahsurdities and misstatemeuts of
the ATTORNEY Generals brief.