The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1906-1907, 1907-01-08
GOVERNORS
MESSAGE
CONTINUED from page /. J


that the interests Of justice would be
best served If the state Of Idaho took
charge Of the prosecution, not leaving
this duty to Canyon county, the work
in the hands Of the county being nee
essarily Handicapped by the very con-
siderable expense involved in the in
vestigation and solution Of an appar-
ent conpsiracy, which almost OF me-
cesisty had its origin outside Of the
state.
In pursuance Of this decision, the
work Of investigation Of the Steunen-
berg case was at once undertaken by
the state. Detectives were employed,
and the arrest Of one Harry Orchard,
as suspect, was made. Hon. James
H. Hawley, Hon. W E. Borah and
Hon. W. A. Stone we're employed By
the state to assist in prosecuting the
case against him. On January IS,
1906, Orchard confessed to the MUIR
der Of Mr.. Steunenberg, and in his
confession named Chas. HI. Meyer,
William Haywood, Geo. A. Pettibone
and j. L. Simpkins as principals
in the commission Of the crime with
him. The first three named we're ar
rested in Denver, Colo, and brought
to Idaho. j. l.. Simpkins is still
fugitive, although large reward has
been offered for his arrest. Immedi-
ately after this a grand iruy was
called in Canyon county, and indict.
ments for murder we're found against
the five men The four under arrest
are now awaiting trial. About the
same date the state authorities
caused the arrest of Steve Adams near
Haines, Ore, and he was brought to
Idaho, under charge Of beieng con-
nected with the fearful murder of MIR.
Steunenberg. Soon after his arrival
Adams also made a confession which
included great deal of what had
been confessed by Harry Orchard.
These two confessions made even more
plain to myself and the officers of
the prosecution the fact that this was
case whore the state could and
should properly intervene. The
states attorneys report that they have
been ready to proceed to trial at any
time druing the past eight months,
but the matter has been delayed, oW ing
to writs of habeas corpus having been
applied for by Defendants Meyer,
Haywood and Pettibone, which being
refused by both the Idaho supreme
court aud the federal court for this
state we're appealed to the United
States supreme court, which has in a
recent decision sustained the lower
courts, and has declared that the men
we're arrested and brought to Idaho
with proper regard for their legal
rights. 1t is nov expected that the
trial of the accused men will occur in
the immediate future, unless defense
interVnees with some technical mo-
ton which should cause a delay.
This is a murder case, and as such
il should re tried, regardless of the
position the accused men have occu-
pied, or may now occupy, in labor
organizations. They are entitled to
a fair trial. The character of our
courts and our citizenship ensure it
to them. There is no desire on the
part of the state to put labor organ
izzations, or the principle underlying
the formation of such organizations,
and their purpose, on trial or to make
war on the labor union idea. The
state is endeavoring to punish crime
of particularly horrible character
1t is with much satisfaction that
am able to inform you that my &C
lions in this matter have been sus-
tanned by the courts, including the
dist let court, court for the Seventh
judicial district, the state supreme
court, the federal court for the state
of Idaho, md the United States su-
preme court.
This case in my Judgment, is so
clearly one in which all the people Of
Idaho are equally interestd, that
feel that the burden of the prosecu-
tion should rest entirely with the
state, and that Canyon county should
be relieved from this prosecution.
other than in the payment of her pro
portional share Of necessary state
taxes.
STATES FINANCIAL CONDITION.
The financial condition of the state
has been improved during the past
two years. There has been an enorm
Gus growth in population and this has
been attended by a corresponding
growth in property and in property
values. The debt statement Of Jauu-
airy /. 1897 shows that our buuded
Indebtedness was on that date ell
ore, 600. On January l. 1905. the