The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-05-14
EXCUSED "a MEN.
Only One Juror Passed in Haywood
Case Yesterday.

Boise, Idaho, May 14.-Judan P.
ISteunenberg, the 21-year-old son OF
former Governor Steunenberg, was IN
the court this afternoon when the
trial proceedings were resumed All
the prisoners family. including his in
also present The court room was
! crowded, this condition being largely
due to the presence of the new venlre
of 100 men summoned for July.
| Haywood was brought i'll while the
clerk of the court was reading the
minutes of last Thursdays session
The reading of the minutes and court
record are a part of each days
routine.
Haywood took a seat at the end of
the linz of chairs occupied by his
| family.
There was but one absentee when
| the roll of veniremen was called
Judge Wood directed that, an attach
ment be issued against the missing
juror. A moment later the judge
read the law fixing the power of the
court to excuse purors.
IF any proposed juror has a legal
excuse to offer he will now step for
ward" said Judge Wood.
Immediately there was an uproar
| in the court room. 1t seemed that
fully half of the special panel rose as
| one man and began to press forward
to catch the ear of the court
Judge Wood excused "a of those
cuses occupied one hour and 20 min
utes. Three of the excused veniremen
presented doctors certificates; four
were excused on personal pleas of ILL
ness, three because they were over
seers of the county roads. five because
of the Illness of their wives, one be-
cause of age, he being 76 years old, two
for pressing business. two irrigation
ditch riders, one chairman of the city
board of public works, one probation
officer, one witness, and one substitute
rural free delivery mail carrier.
Judge Wood declined to excuse six
Veniremen who pleaded for release
and temporarily passed five others.
It was 1925 p. m. when the eleven men
who had been locked up since Thursday
were brought into the court room. Ellis
worth Lester, a farmer, was called into
the vacant seat, No. 4, and examined
first by the attorneys for the state as
to his qualifications.
Lester had formed and expressed an
unqualified opinion and was challenged
for cause by the state. He was excused.
For the first time during the trial the
sheriff had to close the court room
doors. the seating capacity being tested
to its uttermost and no one being al
lowed to stand
Walter Shaw, a young farmer, who
came to Idaho two years ago from the
state of Washington, was called to seat
No. 4, and successfully passed the ex-
animation of the states attorney. Shaw
had no prejudice or bias against or for
the prisoner: had no prejudice against
circumstantial evidence.
Shaw was closely questioned by Mr.
Richardson for the defense. He said
his brother was a member of the last
legislature.
How did he vote on the bill appro-
priating money for the prosecution of
this case?" asked Mr.. Richardson.
Il don't know"
ssEVer talk v0lIr brother a h0uf 10
case?"
Yes, to a certain extent
Besides local newspapers, the proposed
juror said he read only the Ladies
Home Journal.
Carried through long line of interro-
cations as to whether or not he had
an opinion, Shaw finally admitted that
he had wish in the matter but he
denied that the wish had anything to do
with the guilt or innocence of the ac-
cused. Asked If he would cast a vote
in accordance with his wish, Shaw said
he did not know. His brother voted for
Senator Borah. Shaw said he belonged
to the Meat Cutters union in Seattle
for a year but withdrew when he left
that city and went to farming. His ex-
perience with the union had not left any
prejudice in his mind against unionism
What is your politics?" asked Mr..
Richardson.
Republican"
Have you any prejudice for or
against Democrats as such?"
No"
"Or Socialism"
No"
''You wouldn't believe in hanging a
man simply because he is a socialist
would y,u?"
NO. the proposed juror laughingly
replied.
The interest of Secretary Taft or
President Roosevelt in the case, Shaw
said, would not influence his Judgment
in any way.
Asked if he had read the presidents
undesirable citizens letter, Shaw re-
piled:
Il did read a piece in the paper about
it, 1 believe"
Shaw was passed without challenge
for cause, but is still subject to a per-
emptory challenge from either side
Before the examination for talesmen
in seat No. could be proceeded with
Judge Wood ordered an adjournment
q m u -