Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1901-01-17
The Judicial Question.

The judicial Question.
In the last issue of the Standard
is an interview with Mr.. j. F.
Ailshie regarding the proposed new
judicial district composed of idaho
county alone, in whic!, Mr.. Ailsiie
gives his reasons why in his jndg-
ment it would be unwise at the pres
ent time to have the second judi
cial district divided and the county
of Idaho made a separate district,
and ! desire to present some an
swer to the views as stated therein:
The present judicial districts Of
Idaho were formed when the state
was first admitted to the union, ten
years ago. At that time it was
thought necessary to have five
Judges TO transact the business
that would come before them; not
withstanding the fact that our
population has almost doubled as
shown by the census reports, and
the court records will show that
litigation and court business has
fully doubled, no change has b en-
made in the number Of districts or
judges. Five judges are now eS-
pecte,l to do double the amount Of
work they did ten years ago, when
the members of the convention
which framed our constitution
were endeavoring in every way
possible to make the burden Of
statehood rs light as possible upon
the people. Everyone who has
had occasion to observe the basi-
ness of our courts during the last
few years knows that it is i'm
possible for one judge to transact
promptly tho business which comes
before him. This applies not onlA,
to our own district. but to at least
two other districts of the state
In our own district believe that
Judge Steele does all that any man
could or should do and matters
are constantly being pressed upon
him and he is asked To decide i'm
portant questions without having
the time to investig ate them rs he
would like to do.
Mr.. Ailshie says: "While /
appreciate the necessity Of some
change | believe any action pre-
mature until railroad construction
in central Idaho has fully settled
the situation Now this is all
very well, but when il this to
happen? When will the railroads
have settled the situation in
Idaho? The Northern Pacific will
probably build during the present
year on to Camas Prairie. But
what will this settle? The geo.
graphical situation will be the
same then as now; the present
second district will have to be
changed. How? Can Idaho
county be placed in a district with
any of the south Idaho counties?
All acquainted with our state
topography will at once say no.
When the district is changed what
measure will be better or more
logical than making Idaho county
with its vast area, with its i'm
mense undeveloped resources and
Unreasonable possibilities, II dis.
trict of itself.
Now a word as to the additional
expense Of a new district. 1t is
true that the salary of the judges
OF the district courts is So, 900 per
year, and that in each district a
stenographer at 81 900 per year is
provided for. These salaries are
paid out Of the state treasury az
the salaries Of other state officials
are paid. OF course any measure
that increases the expenses Of the
state increases the taxes Idaho
county will have to contribute for
state purposes in the proportion
that her property valuation bears
to the valuation of the entire state.
But it would not be a burden
directly imposed upon Idaho
county as county The same
argument would hold good as te
all other judicial districts of the
state. There will be an effort
made to divide the Sd and 5tl