The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1911-11-17

Clarence w. Robnett. Tribune read
ers will remember that Robnett was
the star witness for the government
in the cases against the Kettenbaughs
of the Lewiston National bank. 1t
is understood that the prosecuting at
torney recommended the pardon
Monday of this week Robnett was
sentenced to 10 years in prison. Gov
ernor Hawley has entered a vigorous
protest against the action of the De-
partment of Justice. In signed
statement he says:
To the people of Idaho: feel that
the pardon of Robnett is fitting Sc
ouel to the proceedings in the United
States court during the last four years
while the special assistants to the
United States attorney general have
been usurping the functions of the
United States attorney and his assist
ants, and have been running the cases
in which the United States has been
interested with high hand regard
less of justice or decency.
| am not surprised at this pardon.
In fact, have been satisfied for some
time that it had been promised and
would be granted. No act ever done
in connection with the courts of Idaho
has so brought justice into disrepute
and weakened the courts in the esti-
nation of our people.
But it is what we would have a
right to expect, however, when we re-
member that for more than four
years, in every important case in
which the United States was inter
ested, the regular prosecuting attor-
neys have been retired, and these spe-
cal assistants to the attorney general
have been given full control.
have always considered this course
not only an insult to the able gentle
men who have filled the position OF
4 United States attorney, and their as
sistants, but to the court itself, and to
the people of this whole state.
Without the slightest interest in
our state, caring nothing for our peo-
pie, simply DESTROYS of establishing a
reputation in the department OF jus
tice, these special prosecutors have
done more to injure Idaho and retard
its development since the fall of 1907
than all other causes combined.
The malicious, underhanded, I'M
called-for and indefensibIe prosecu-
ton of Senator Borah and former At
torney General Frank Martin and
others in the fall of 1907 was the first
experience Idaho had with these spe-
cial prosecutors. This was followed
by indictments against the leading OF
fcers of the Barber Lumber company
accompanied by food of civil suits
in large numbers against that com
pany also.
Any man acquainted with the ele'
mentary principles of the criminal law
would have been satisfied at the out
set that prosecutions could not, anc
should not, be sustained against these
parties, but these special prosecutors
caring nothing for justice, desiring
success only, fought the crimina
cases to the last, and have maintain
ed the civil case in the different courts
until the present
Lewiston Case Most fragrant.
The Lewiston bank case, however
is the most fragrant, the most outra
geous example of rank injustice. Rob
nett, the trusted employe OF the ket
tenbachs in the management OF thei
bank, stole, as l understand it, OF tn
banks funds nearly $4,000, an
still, in their desire to convict certain
men, these special prosecutors hay
deliberately used the evidence OF thi
contemplate creature, although tn
men charged, and against whom n
testified, were only technically gulit
of attractions of law.
Robnett did the work, however I'M
der his agreement, and today receive
the reward of full pardon before tn
ink is dry upon a l0-year sentenc
passed on him yesterday.
greatly regret this incident. AS
stickler for the law and its strict en-
forcement, deplore any incident
our courts that tends to bring the lay
and its administration into disreput'