The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1907-11-30
DO YOUR DUTY.

The second mlStrlal IN the 0teVe
Adams case, which seems tantamount
to acquittal in this instance by reas-
on Of the preponderance of the jury
in declaring his innocence, Is very
much more of surprise than equiva-
lent results in others of this series
of cases. II the testimony has been
fairly reported 1t Is hard to under
stand how eight men out of twelve
could have conscienciously af-
firmed the defendant innocent of the
charge laid against him. To declare
his innocence, 1t would seem neces-
sary to say, not that the testimony
was insufficient or inconclusive but
that 1t was fraudulent, that the state
was the offender and not the prison
er. We do not believe eight fair
minded jurymen think anything of
the sort and therefore the meaning
of the verdict must be sought else
where. The Tribune understands, of
course, that this result Is attributed
to more than a single cause. First
among the causes, though. 1t would
assign the opinion that crimes of
blood are held less in horror than
crimes of money; that murder Is less
shocking than larceny. Recent trials
will bear out this opinion although
outside of the courthouse no such
opinion is possible, of course. The
reader has only to look back and re-
call the fiimsy straws upon which
scores of men accused of statutory
0ffenses have recently been convicted
and the masses of evidence envelop-
ing men accused of crimes of blood
yet are enjoying freedom and repu-
tation, to understand that the tend
ency of present day juries is in that
his favor. Certainly the large sums
lated to the Adams case the element
of political purpose rather than per-
sonal malevolence. also enters. To
assassinate a man from private mot
i've. or lack of motive, is one thing;
to redden the land with innocent
blood as a means intended to ad-
vance and elevate q cause, seems
quite another thing. Perhaps the
fact that Adams Is considered only a
wretched dupe, while the real authors
OF his widespread crimes are enjoying
safety and power, may have acted in
direction In the series of crimes re-
of money expended and influences
exerted In his behalf to thwart and
defeat the safeguards of society have
served to procure species OF sym
pathy among elements OF the people
which has been proportionally re.
fiected In the jury panels, but the
preponderance in the present case Is
the mystifying circumstance and
the one that. 1t is reasonable to pre-
sumo. will reach beyond the case in
hand. 1t will doubtless extend to the
Pettibone and Meyer cases and bring
all of the states work to naught, sc
far as court trials are concerned. But
the states work cannot be undone OF
lost sight of, whatever juries may do
in It's most important and salutary
influences. The American people
have much to their credit. They
have contributed their full share t.
the advancement OF civilization alonl
almost all lines. The one line upor
which they have failed and in which
their performances have been dis
.creditable and humiliating is that i'm
portant service now under considera
ton. If men sworn to execute tn,
laws would find it necessary through
sound public sentiment to devot,
more of their time and energies Il
the protection of life and propert.
and somewhat less of their abilities
and eloquence in protecting the peo
pie from unpopular and largely i'm
aginary devils in the air by whom
the voters are supposed to be des
peratsly pursued and plundered. on
temples of justice would not be 8
red and our record at this vital poin
would not be so dark.
The above taken from the Lewis
ton Tribune should furnish food 70
thought for all patriotic citizens. Tn
time has come when the bushes
and professional men of the countr
should assert themselves. The Trit