The Monte Vista journal., 1908-03-14
CsraonaLv CONDEMNS HIS LAM
oUAoE IN REGARD TO COURT
IN MESA COUNTY.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED
COURSE OF JUDGE sAAckELFoRp
AND sHERlFF sHRAoER
FULLY APPROVED.

meeting Of the Mesa County Bar Asso-
citation Saturday afternoon the criti.
cism by Governor Buchtel OF the Dis
trict Court oficials In the Force case
was denounced in the following reso-
lutions:
1--WE consider the criticism by the
governor unwarranted and unjust un.
der the laws and facts of the case.
Upon receipt Of the letter from Gov
ernor Buchtel, Sherin Shrader re-
quested the Judge Of the District Court
to advise him concerning the proper
course to pursue. which the judge de-
clined to do. directing the sheriff to
70 to tho district attorney, who under
the law is the legal adviser Of all
county officers. The sh~rin consulted
the district attorney and other law.
yers. who advised him not to turn over
Force, as to do 80 would place him tn
contempt OF court. On February 2lst
District Attorney Selig received let.
ter from the prosecuting attorney Of
Rawlins. Wyoming. asking that the
Colorado charge be dismissed and
setting forth the facts on which Wyom.
ing hoped to convict Force. District
Attorney selig immSdiately wrote .
letter to another attorney at Rawlins.
Wyoming. not connected with the case.
requesting full Information and state
ment Of facts.
after full consideration OF the
matter. MIR. Selig felt that Wy.
oming coald not successfully prosecute
Force and he therefore declined to sur.
render the man. The trial and convic.
ton of Force In this county was had
without any ofhcIal knowledge having
been brought to the court that war
rant of extradition had been issued by
the governor Of this state and was con
Quoted as such cases are usually con-
Quoted. We submit that the language
used by the governor criticising =
Judge on the bench was unbecoming
from the pen or lips Of the chief exc
cutive Of this state. We refrain from
any characterization Of the conduct Of
the governor. or any further comment
upon his course and action. because
We believe that to the minds Of all fair
minded men no comment or character.
isation 10 necessary.
I'VE have been taught to respect the
branches Of the government ~ deAned
In the constitution and aiso have been
taught that II 10 not In tho province Of
the executive to interfere In any way
In the administration Of Justice In the
court. and We believe that any attempt
upon the part Of the executive Of this
or any other state should he resisted
to the utmost by those who occupy
judicial positions. We believe that the
Judge Of this district will never permit
the infringement upon the powers In
vested In him under the constitution
by the governor or any other execu
tive OF the state.
I'VE further desire to express our
approval snd commendation OF his en-
tire course and We are authorized by
the Judge Of this court to say that he
comedies with Us In expressing on,
commentator and approval In the
course approved by the sheriff and dis
trict attorney. The course Of Judge
8hackelford We regard a. entirely
proper and commendable. and We com
mend him more particularly for his ne
straint and silence for such unmeritcd
and uncalled for abuse and slandeS BY
the governor. Nothing would more
clearly demonstrate the uprightncss
and self.conirol and character OF our
Judge than bis attitude In remaining
slieat under such trying circum'
stances"
This 10 signed BY Walter 8. Sullivan.
straud N. Logan. Henry r. Rhone.
Samuel N. Wheeler. Gustav vanHoor
sdsks. committee.