New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-05-03
BOISE FEELING TENSE.
READY TO TRY LINERS.
Quiet on the Surface, but Fears of
Violence Beneath.

Boise Idaho. May Counsel for the prosecution
and defence in the Steunenberg murder case have
settled down to their final preparation work, and
there is every reason TO believe that the trial Of
William Haywood will be commenced Thursday
next Various reports to tending to fur
Their delay the trial in circulation. but tho
attitude OF both sides indicates that they ready
TO go 10 the bar.
The only preliminary proceeding pending is a
motion by the defence for bill Of particulars of
the evidence by which the hopes 10 show that
Haywood consplred in the murder Of Steunenberg
This motion will be argued before Judge Wood on
Monday
The Idaho code and practice. modelled closely
upon those of California. make no provision for
bills of particulars IN criminal cases, and in the
only precedent recorded in the Idaho reports tho
court denied the application, holding that tho
power to require the furnishing bills of particu-
lars In general was discretionary with the court.
1t is asserted that right OF appeal goes with
such motion. and neither side seems TO regard
the matter seriously.
This oasis in the American desert n which the
leaders Of the Western Federation of Miners have
been brought TO answer to the charge that they
comprised the murder OF the former Governor in
revenge for his activity IN suppresslng strike dis
orders in the Cpur dAlenes. seems to grow in ex-
terror placidity the first trial approaches The
ohcals OF the state, county and city. counsel
CHOSEN TO present the case OF the state and men
who lead IN the life and work OF the community
discuss the case. The streets, stores and hotels
present no scenes foreign to the routine OF the
days work.
1t would seem that a majority of the community
had assumed a judicial attitude toward tho case
and had disciplined itself The occasional man
free from alignment or partisanship who will dis
cuss the case openly, generally says that Boise
knows neither labor unionist nor mine owner:
knows only that cruel murder one OF a long
series OF shocking crimes has been done, that its
Is 9lT11Ny and oIr1,y
are accused. to free them If they are Innocent 70
hang them II they are guilty and TO do this fear
lessly.
Under the surface. however. there is a strong un-
dercurrent OF apprehension and nervousness tragic
In many OF its aspects Violence IS the ever-present
fear The position Of the prisoners and their ac.
uVlIy through years OF bitter labor warfare the
dlssenslon over their arrest in Colorado and re-
moyal to Idaho. the rally OF thousands of work
ingmen TO their support and the radical propaganda
undertaken in their behalf together with the in
tense feeling against the Mine Owners Association
and other incidents. have served 70 make the case
IN the minds and attitudes OF thousands a class
contest rather than trial for alleged murder
In few minds IS there belief that HAYWOOD
Meyer and Pettlbone. their friends or tho men ar-
hAated with them in union circles would approve
much less encourage. any violence at this time
Sue sGGh action it is believed. would be fatal error
the violent radicals there may come a man or mon
desperate enough to attempt assassination. or that
the agitation may give sinister suggestion and in
SEPARATION TO some crank irresponsible person
Letters that threaten every form OF violence are
pouring into Boise from all over tho country and
most or them are directed to Governor Frank r.
GQoalng VINO Is made to bear largely the brunt OF
al! that this case invites. Detectives. police and
friends of the Governor generally are constantly
on the alert and at the nsistence his family and
friends he has finally, but under protest altered
his routine movements 20 point offering the least
exposure compatible with the performance Of duty
Another man similarly marked. In the belief OF
many. is Harry Orchard, alleged 10 be the assassin
hired by the three prisoners and whose alleged
fession Is the basis of the states Perfectly
reasonable men here look at the high witness chair
in the county courthouse. shake their heads serl-
oUsly and say that Harry Orchard will die In H.
They say, too, that II he were turned prison
tomorrow his dead body would be found within a
week
This same apprehension offers a difficulty from
the point of view OF the prosecution in obtaining a
jury. This has been killing country, and
under the shadow OF q strong suspicion that there
may be avenging murders by crankS or others IL
may prove difficult to get twelve willing 10
the suspected risk, assuming that the state
tablishes it's