The Wallace miner. [volume] (Wallace, Idaho) 1907-current, 1914-12-31
OWENS INVESTIGATES
STATE HOUSE ALONE
ADA PROSECUTOR DECLINES TO
ACT UPON SUGGESTION
OF GOVERNOR.


scouting attorney of Ada county, an
swered Monday by letter the request of
Governor Haines that special prose-
cutor in the person OF John p. Gray of
Occur d'Alene, be secured to help the
local grand jury investigation TO be
held here January T. Mr.. Givens reit-
Grated his plan to investigate the at
fair alone
In his letter to the governor, Mr.
Glvens calls his attention to the bene-
fits which it is hoped will be secured
from the investigation. He says:
THE main and foremost benefits to be
derived from the grand jury invest-
cation are the disclosures of any and
all wrong doings connected with the
treasury and all departments of the
state government and the prosecution
of any and all persons criminally re-
sponsible.
Has More Evidence.
II respectfully call your attention to
that portion of my request for grand
jury made to the judges of this dis
trict on December IL, 1914, which was
as follows:
by reason of additional evidence
which has come into my possession
within the past four weeks, believe
| that at this time the interests of pub
/ lie justice in this county demand the
Intervention Of a grand jury and a
complete investigation of such matters
indicated above, Furthermore. am
convinced that there is evidence and
Information which it is impossible to
secure without the assistance of
grand jury
Embraces Other Matters.
"The evidence referred to pertained
not only to the shortage in the treas
urer's office but to other matters con-
nected with the conduct Of state af-
fairs by state officers At the present
time the entire state administration Is
under suspicion by the public and it
seems to me that 1t would be most Ill
advised and absolutely inconsistent
with my duty as a public official to al
low or submit to dictation as to who
should conduct or as to how the in
vestigation before the grand fury with
regards to state affairs should be con-
Quoted"
Mr. Givens calls attention to the
fact that he himself is in no way con-
nected with the state administration
and that he Is answerable to no one
but the people. He says that the
probe will be deep and that no influ-
ence should be permitted which will
hinder the finding of an indictment
He thanks the governor for his inter
est in the matter but says he thinks
that if anyone's suggestion should be
followed it shot / be that OF the in
coming executive. Mr.. Owens declares
that furthermore there is no provision
made for the use Of a special prose-
cutor.
Concerning this matter. the attorney
writes: 'The taxpayers of the state
Of Idaho have lost enough money
without being further burdened by
the payment of services Of a special
prosecutor especially since none OF
the reasons IS provided for in the
statutes exist whereby the district
court would be authorized in appoint
ing special prosecutor Aside from
this I have the sole right to- choose
my assistants"
Mr.. Givens disagrees strongly with
the governor concerning the latter's
right to insisting upon Givons follow
ing his suggestion.
Will work Alone.
The attorney asserts that the fact
that he was at first refused the Ram
stedt report and evidence which came
to his notice were the causes of his
calling the special investigating jury.
He concluded his letter by saying:
you and the people of the state of
Idaho may be assured that this in
vestigation is going to be thorough
non partisan, non-poltical and with
out favoritism; but I must state that
the investigation will be conducted by
me and that as prosecuting attorney
Of this county / intend to maintain
full charge Of such duties as devolvc
upon the prosecutor in the presenta-
ton of this matter to the grand jury
and the presentation thereafter to tho
district court any indictments that
may be found"
Another Letter From Governor.
"BOISE-Raymond L. Owens, coun-
ty attorney, Boise, Idaho. Dear Sir
On December 10 addressed you let
ter upon grave public matter. 1t was
written in language the most courte
Gus at my command, and expressed
the hope that it might be received in
the same kindly in which it was writ
ten. 1t appears that you did not sc
receive the letter. / am sorry; but
can not condescend to engage in per-
sonalities.
In reference to the subject dis
cu5sed, permit me to say that do not
wish to be misunderstood as to my
suggestion Of Attorney John p. Gray
His commanding ability suggested hi.
name to me for recommendation bu
: any attorney of like eminent ability
and integrity, regardless even Of part!
affiliations, would have been satisfac