Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1913-01-06
THAT IDAHO DECISION.

the Boise, Idaho, Capital News,
made by one of its editors, now
in Jail for contempt Of court, sent
there by the supreme court for crit-
cising its actions, that every Ameri-
can citizen should read and heed. Mr..
Bronson and his friends need not feel
ashamed of being in Jail, for they are
there in a good cause. It is different
with the learned judges who sent them
there. The statement follows:
Mr.. Broxon was the only one Of the
three members committed to the coun-
ty Jail who, when an interview was
sought with them in their cell, through
the courtesy granted by Sheriff Rob
erts, which is a privilege wich he
gives all prisoners, said:
"The friends of the Capital News and
of Mr.. Sheridan and Mr.. Cru2en and
myself should understand that we do
not feel that there is any degradation
Aside from Mr.. Cruzen, who had moth
ing whatever to do with the writing
or publication of the articles COM
planned about, we feel that we are do
ing the greatest possible service to the
people of Idaho,
"While we bow in submission to the
commands Of the court, and while we
recognize their DEGREES as the law Of
the state, we still feel that questions
vital to the future freedom Of all the
people Of Idaho have thus been
brought to q point where a citizen may
well pause and consider the power
they have given to two men-a power,
as will be noted In this decsion-not
alone over the freedom Of the people,
but one likewise over their property.
These two men, constituting a MAORI
ty Of the court, In accordance with the
law which they had just laid down,
have absolutely the power to take
away the life, liberty and property Of
every citizen Of the state who may
hold views not in accord with theirs.
1t is true that they have admitted the
right of the people and Of the press
TO nrticse them or their decisions
still they have retained the right to
determine tho length TO which Gritl-
cisW may go, and to determine for
themselves whether criticism be per-
United or whether it shall be punish
able contempt
Our opportunities for discussing
the issue thus brought before the peo-
pie for the next ten days. at least,
will be limited. After that we shall
perform the duty we owe the people,
to go to the full extent permitted by
the court in making people aware Of
the wonderful power they have en-
trusted to the two men who consti-
tute the majority of the highest court
of the state.
I'VE are nicely situated, ana nave
no doubt that we shall be able to com
pletc the sentence imposed without
great inconvenience to ourselves,
Mr. Bronson covers the case as fully
as so brief statement could, but had
his statement been a hundred times
as long 1t could not have begun to
point out all the evil effects Of this
decision. AS he said, the liberty and
the property Of the private citizen are
at the mercy Of the Judges, the peo-
ple's executive officers, If this dcci-
sion Is correct For with power to
file complaints, arrest and jail citizens
for alleged offences against them
selves, sit as judges to try out suits
IN wl,ch they are parties, of adiudg-
Ing defendants they have made such
guilty OF misdemeanor, cr conAscn
ing their property in the way Of fines,
and ON tcr Of all depriyng them of
Their liberty for an indrfAite line
then the dark ages are again upon Gs.
no, hdced, gentlemen OF tho No,e
News Il Is not you who are degraded
by living I'm the Idaho iail