Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1906-04-19
THAT CALL FOR HELP.

Governor Gooding last week is
sued request to the banks Of til,
state asking them to each take ~
deficiency warrants in the amounts
Of from $1,000 to $500, the money
to he used in the prosecution Of the
parties charged with the murder Of
Ex-Governor Steunenberg, and Civ
ing as his reason for the request,
that the state is "without avail.
able funds for the work at hand. u
This act is being severely criticized
and we believe not without cause
The boasted business like" ad.
ministration OF Governor Goodine
has been the most expensive one
in the history Of the state and big
deficiencies are certain in several
funds. Even with the greatly in.
creased tax levy for state purposes,
which amounted to 1920 in this
county alone, the extravagant ad.
ministrstion finds itself "without
available funds for the work at
hand" Ex-Governor Mcconnell
voices the sentiments of many,
when in discussing the matter he
said:
"While the people throughout
the state are unanimous in de-
manding that not only those who
perpetrated the murder of Ex-G Gov
ernor Steunenberg, but also those
who instigated the same, shall be
punished as provided by law, it is
generally understood that the duty
Of the governor goes no further
than to offer proper rewards for
the capture Of the guilty parties.
After their apprehension and de.
livery to the officers Of the county
wherein the murder was committed
his function ceases. The officers
OF Canyon county, where the ex-
governor was murdered, are un-
derstood to have, at all times since
the astrocious deed was perpetra-
ted, exercised the utmost energy
and diligence in endeavoring to
bring the perpetrators to justice.
Then why should the governor as.
sumo the role of prosecutor? Why
should the state board OF examin-
liners assume the uncustomary pre-.
rogative of issuing deficiency war;
rants to pay the court expenses Of
Canyon county? The governor
says he has no idea, however, that
$4,000 will be enough and wants
at least two banks in each county
to take $1,000 to $4,000 each. What
is the occasion for such unusual
expenditure? The men who are
under arrest are represented by
able counsel but such is always the
case. The authorities OF Canyon
county, realizing the Importance
OF the trials now pending, have en-.
gagged assistance for the prosecut.
ing officers. Then by what author
ity of law does the governor pre-
gu me to assume the role Of pro.
secutor and issue deficiency war
rants ad libtium, to be peddled
throughout the state9 We deem it
to be the providence of the Cover.
nor to carefully watch the proceed
ings, in q dignifed manner, and
without any flourish Of trumpets
see to it that justice is meeted to
all concerned in this unfortunate
affair. We cannot afford by using
The taxing powers of the state ex-
travagantly to unjustly convict
any OF the accused. Many MUIR
derers have been convicted in tn is
state without the chief executive
Or the state board Of examiners
to the rescue Of the counties
wherein the trials were held. And
in this instance, when
he United States is watching in
every step Of the proceed.
ng had and to be had in the Steu. |
,enberg case, it is desirable that
We should establish . reputation |
not only for firmness but for fair
less. If the issuance of these war. |
ants were legal and made only for |
he purpose of meeting the necess.
Try demands of justice, it seems
TRANCE to an unprejudiced OBJ
orVer that 0nnoa1a vould hn unoo,