The state herald., 1908-03-13
BAR CRITICISES
The GOVERNOR
STRONGLY CONDEMNS HIS LAM
GUAGE IN REGARD TO COURT
IN MESA COUNTY.
RESOLUTIONS PASSED
COURSE OF JUDGE SHkCkELFoRD
AND SHERIFF SHRADER
FULLY APPROVED.

Grand Junction, Colo. At a special
meeting of the Mesa County Bar Asso-
citation Saturday afternoon the criti.
cism by Governor Buchte of the Dis
trict Court officials in the Force case
was denounced in the following reso-
lutions:
I'VE consider the criticism by the
governor unwarranted and unjust uD-
der the laws and facts Of the case.
Upon receipt of the letter from Gov
ernor Buchtel, Sheriff Shrader re-
quested the Judge of the District Court
to advise him concerning the proper
course to pursue, which the judge dc
clined TO do, directing the sheriff to
go to the district attorney, who under
the law is the legal adviser of all
county officers. The sheriff consulted
the district attorney and other law
yers, who advised him not to turn over
Force, as to do SO would place him in
contempt Of court On February 2lst
District Attorney Selig received a lot
ter from the prosecuting attorney OF
Rawlins, Wyoming, asking that tho
Colorado charge be dismissed and
setting forth the facts on which Wyom-
ing hoped To convict Force. District
AlNOIHtN 0tllE lulUDtuldltlN NIblt -
letter to another attorney at Rawlins,
Wyoming, not connected with the case.
requesting full information and a state
ment Of facts.
After full consideration Of the
matter, Mr.. Selig felt that Wy
oming could not successfully prosecute
Force and he therefore declined 10 sur
render the man. The trial and conNic-
. a
without any official knowledge having
been brought to the court that a 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 critlcisinE a
judge on the bench was unbeeominE
from the pen or lips of the chief exc
cutiye 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 10 the minds Of all fair
minded men no comment or character
| ization Is necessary.
We have been taught TO respect the
branches of the government as dcfneo
| In the constitution and also have been
| the executive to interfere In any way
| In tho administration OF Justice In tho
court, and We believe that any attempt
/ upon the part Of the executive Of this
or any other state should be resisted
10 tho 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 eHccu-
tive Of the state.
I'VE further desire 10 express our
approval nnd commcndatiOn of his ca
tire course and We are authorized by
the Judge Of this court TO say that he
comedies with us In expressing our
commondation and approval In the
course approved by the sheriff and dis
trict attorney. The course Of Judge
Shnckelford we regard as entirely
proper and commondahie. and we com
mend him more particularly for his re-.
straint aud silence for such unmerited
and unchllod for abuse and slandor by
tho governor. Nothing would more
clearly demonstrate the uprlghtneBr
and sclfcontrol and character OF our
Judge than his attitude In remaining
silent under such trying circum-
stances"
This Ia signed by Walter s, Sullivan.
Straud NJ. Logan, Henry II. Rhonc.
Samuel n Wheeler. Gustav VanHooTs
odeke, committee.