The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1906-06-02
GOOD|NC ATTEMPTS To
GET HELP Of BANKERS
Sends Out Letters Urging Money
Men to Contribute to Prose-
cution of Miners.
Idaho Governor is Called by Form.
er Executive, Who Charges
Him With Persecution.

Boise, Idaho. May 31.-With
brazenness that Is almost unprecedent-
ed Gooding, the alleged governor Of
Idaho, is parading his corruption and
hatred for organized labor in plain
view of the public. His fastest act
of perfidy in trying to railroad the
miners officials to the gallows Is to
issue an appeal to bankers to sub
scribe money for that purpose. In
letter bearing Gooddng's signat ture,
and which has been published in the
Idaho papers, the nineowners' tool
says:
Dear Sir:-1n the prosecution Of
Meyer, Haywood, Pettibone, Orchard
and others for the murder Of ex-Gov-
ernor Steunenberg, the state finds it.
self without available funds for the
work at hand, and unless the banks
Of Idaho come to the rescue Of the
state in meeting the expenses in this
case it is going to be almost impos-
sible to push the prosecution as vigOr-
ously as the good citizens Of Idaho
desire to see done. At meeting of
the state board Of examiners the
issuance Of deficiency certificates to
the certificates bear per cent in
terest. I have arranged with five
banks in Boise to take care OF 1000
Of these deficiency certificates. I have
no idea, however, that $25,000 will be
a sufficient amount for this work. and
I am asking the principal banks Of
the state, and at least two in each
county, to volunteer to take up from
$1,000 to $1,500 each of these deficiency
certificates at par. I hardly feel it
necessary to say to you that I feel
that all good citizens are Of one accord
in the feeling that the prosecution Of
the murderers of Ex-Governor Steu-
nenberg should be pushed in vigor-
Gus manner by the state, and I am
sure there can be no question In the
mind Of any citizen Of Idaho but that
the next Legislature will meet the
deficiency thus created promptly. You
must agree with me that there is no
risk in taking care of $1,000 or $4,000
of these certificates, and that in doing
so you and your fellow bankers would
be rendering splendid service to the
commonwealth. I would esteem it if
you will notify me as soon as possible
OF your decision sses-
Having thus exposed his hand, this
wretched politician is, naturally
enough, coming in for all sorts Of
criticism and condemnation among
decent people in the West. Former
Governor Mcconnell, Of Idaho, seems
to voice the general sentiment in
long statement given to the press. Ex-
Governor
other things:
why should the governor assume
the role Of prosecutor? Why should
the state board Of examiners assume
the unnecessary prerogative Of issuing
deficiency warrants to pay the court
expenses Of Canyon county? The
governor says he has no idea. how
ever, that $4,000 will be enough, and
wants at least two banks in each
county to ply $1,000 to $4,000 each.
What is the occasion for such un-
usual 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 engaged assistance
1>AoHSSeASAAfS
by what authority of law does the
governor presume to assume the role
of prosecutor and issue deficiency
warrants ad libitum, to be peddled
throughout the state? We deem It
to be the province of the governor
to carefully watch the PROCEEDINGS. in
dignif1ed manner, and without anv
Hourish of trumpets see to 1t that
justice is meted to all concerned in
this unfortunate affair. We cannot
afford, by using the taxing powers of
the state extravagantly, to unjustly
convict any Of the accused"
Ex-Governor Mcconnell asks some
pertinent questions and gives some
plain reasons why Gooding should
play the part Of man rather than a.
miserable knave, who, in his wild de-
sire TO q" IS masters bidding, has
oecor" TO all sense Of shame and
oololy assumes plutocratic air and
policy Of the people be damned. !"
1t IS such action as this latest in
oecent outbreak of Gooding that
causes the common people to lose faith
IN ana display their contempt for tho
present governing class. The laws ara
Delng twisted into means Of onnras-
sion rather than protection. esnacta1,,,
where the lives and liberties of work.
lngmen are at stake