The Charles Mix new era. (Wagner, Charles Mix County, S.D.) 1???-1911, 1907-05-17
IDAHO TRIAL BEGINS.
GREAT DRAMA ENACTED ~
SMALL COUNT ROOM.
opsniaE Of Case Against wssters
Miners 0mciais, which Has
Aroused Much Passios saa which
IL yarioasiy Viewed.

Crowded daily into the little court
room OF the Ada County Court House,
In Boise, Ida, the largest audience of
spectators that ever attended a trial
In Idaho witnessed the opening of one
OF the greatest legal battles ever fought
In America. Some would have us be-
ileve that 1t is an epoch-making drama,
ffaught with dangerous possibilities to
the social and Industrial fabric of our
nation; others insist that it Is but a
trial for MURDER cold-blooded murder
with admittedly extraordinary phases.
The State of Idaho, through its Gov
ernor and Its prosecuting officers, de-
clares that here the equity of American
justice is to be put to its supreme test;
that capital Is not concerned, but that
the power of State to protect the lives
or Its citizens must assert itself, BY
furnishing those who are guilty of TAX
Ing human life; that as prejudice will
not he permitted to take the place of
proof neither shall passion be permit
ted to stand In the way of penalty. The
question of whether William ID. Hey
wood, secretary-treasurer of the West
ern Federation of Miners, orator, or
ganizer and writer, and one of the
ablest opponents of the cause of union
ism In this country, was Jointly respon-
sible for the murder of ex-6sov. Frank
Steunenberg, Is to be debated. The de-
cision In his case will be fair guide
to decision In the cases of his prison
colleagues. Charles Meyer. president of
the same organization, and George A.
Pettibone, chairman of Its Executive
Committee When these cases have been
passed upon the public will learn what
disposition the prosecution intends to
make of the real perpetrator Of the
crime. Harry Orchard, who confessed
that he was hired by these men not only
to Stay the giant Ex-Governor at the
portals of his home in Caldwell on the
last night of 1905, but to murder about
score of working men and their SUI
perintendents.
When 10000 men can be induced to
parade the streets of New York in pro-
test against trial about to take place
In State nearly 1900 miles distant;
when even the President of the United
States can be drawn into the contro-
versy, 1t must be admitted that there is
unusual interest In this case, whether
1t be mere murder trial or an enter
ing wedge In an industrial rediyision
OF the country. This interest ID en-
HANGED by the unique features in the
case. The right of State practically
to kidnap three citizens of another
State and try them for a crime perpe-
trated In the former State while they
We're absent therefrom, has been de-
clared by the highest court In the land
as unquestionable, but 1t is departure
from precedent and Involves the set
ting aside of habeas corpus. Further
more, the indictment OF Meyer, Hey
wood and Pettibone does not accuse
them OF being accessories. but Of being
the actual perpetrators Of the crime,
although the State acknowledges that
they were not In Caldwell, not even In
Idaho, at the time the murder was com.
mitted. But rs the State Of Idaho does
not recognize the crime OF accessory Il
was necessary to indict them as princi- |
pals In order to bring them to trial. |
This phase OF the case has also been
passed upon In the highest court Of the |
land and the correctness Of Idahos Do |
sition has been sustained.
Unusual as are these conditions the |
State declares that extraordinary
means were necessary. as the State was
dealing with an extraordinary condi-
ton. The State asserts that the as
sassination OF Steunenberg was but the !
climax Of a series Of dastardly crimes
inspired by Meyer. Haywood and Pet
tibone, aided by Jack Simpkins, who
belonged to the Executive Committee
and who was with Orchard on his ter
rible errand to Caldwell. after which
he escaped and has never been appre.
hended. The State does not claim that
the Western Federation OF Miners was
implicated as a body in these crimes,
but that the indicted officers were re-
sponsible. How much proof the State
can adduce is question. II has Or.
chords confession and Mcfarland. the
detective, asserts that he has proof Ia
OF the details OF that
Ii also has the confession
Of Steve Adams. since repudIated, yet
In many details, the State
claims by subsequent investigation.
The defense win meet this case OF the
with an abb. proving that
he Indicted men were not In Idaho
.Shen the crime was committed. They
will also present what they claim Ii
proof that the assassination OF Steu-
aenberg was brought tbont by the Mine
Owners Association, through Orchard,
Tor the sole purpose Of throwing the
therefor upon the West
.rn Federation officials and thus Great
ng sentiment against them.
While the whole state Is q verltable
folcano OF feeling ready TO burst into 1
Eruption there Is little outward mani,
'estation and no disorder. Such ru-
s,era a. that (irsshar "a win h.. .h.s a.