The Ward County independent. [volume] (Minot, Ward County, N.D.) 1902-1965, 1914-10-15
GOVERNORS ORDER
. NJ MURRAY CASE
EXTRACT FROM ORDER OF Gov
ERNOR HANNA IN ACTION FOR
y REMOVAL AGAINST JUDGE
MURRAY - RECOMMENDS A
CHANGE IN THE LAW.

M URhAI - kECOMMENDS A
CHANGE IN THE LAW.
The following is an extract from the
order of Gov. Hanna in the Murray
case that will be read with consider
able interest:
"The record in the case was very
long, covering some four hundred
sheets Of closely written typewriter
pages. In considering case of this
kind, the Executive has before him a
record of the testimony as taken and
transcribed by the commissioner and
has the opportunity to hear the argu-
ments from the attorneys for the
prosecution and defense. It would seem
as though the law for the removal of
officers should be broader and that
the Commissioner appointed by the
Governor should sit entirely as ref
cree and should have as an assistant
a stenographer who should take the
testimony as submitted. by the various
witnesses, and that after the hearing
that the Commissioner should be auth
orized to summarize the evidence TAX
zen and to present to the Governor his
conclusions as to the evidence and as
to the guilt or innocense of the party
accused. The Commissioner has the
opportunity not only to hear the evil
dence as given by the witnesses, but
being present and seeing and hearing
the witnesses testify, it gives an OPP
portunity for the Commissioner to de-
eide as to the credence that should be
given to the testimony. Where the
Governor simply goes over the testi-
mnoy as Transcribed and laid before
him, without having an opportunity to
attend the trial, he cannot have as
good an idea of the case as the Com
missioner, who has heard the testi-
mony and has seen the witnesses, and
it would seem as though the Commits
sioner should summarize the testimony
and present to the Governor his con-
illusions as to the guilt or innocense
of the party accused.
"After a very careful reading of the
testimony given by the principal wit
ness for the prosecution, Anna J. Cor
ser, the testimony given by the de-
PENDANT, William Murray, and read
ing of the testimony as given by the
witnesses both for the prosecution
and the defense, it would seem that
the whole case against the defendant
resolves itself into the question of the
truth of the testimony given by the
principal witness, Anna j. Corser.
From her own testimony she is shown
to have been one of those unfortunates
who have gone down into the very
gutter of life. Her evidence in many
places is contradictory. 1t is shown
and she admits that she had been
more or less under the influence of in
toxicating liquors for some time prev
ious to this hearing. There is also
some evidence to show that she was in
the habit, at least occasionally, Of US
ing cocaine. None Of the witnesses
have corroborated the allegations
made by her against the defendant.
Much of the testimony that has been
taken both for and against the &C.
cused, would probably not be admit
ted in a court in our state. The ques-
ton of William Murray's guilt de-
ponds upon the evidence of the prin-
cipal witness, Anna J. Corser. No
person who had gone to the depths to
which she had gone, who has made the
contradictory statements she has made
under oath, could or would be given
full credence for charges made, and
she has made charges not only against
William Murray, but against many
men of chraacter and honor in Ward
county.
civilian Murray, the defendant, I'M
der oath, absolutely denies the charges
made against him by Anna ]. Corser.
He has lived in Ward county for
many years and has been elected a
number Of times by the votes Of the
people Of the City Of Minot and of
Ward County to public Office and to
places Of trust.
Having given this case very care
full consideration and taking into con-
sideration all of the testimony that
has come before me in the case, and
particularly the testimony and charac-
ter Of the principal witness, Anna ].
case must either stand or fall, and
there being q reasonable doubt in my
mind as to the truth Of statements
made by the said Anna j. Corser at
the said hearing
"NOW, THEREFORE,, l, u. b. Han
ma, Governor of the State Of North
Dakota, by virtue Of the authority
vested in me by the laws Of said state,
do hereby refuse the application made
by certain citizens Of Ward County,
asking that the said William Murray
be removed from his Office as County
Judge Of Ward County and State Of
North Dakota. II
Given under my hand this fifteenth
day Of October, A. D. 1914.
L. B. HANNA"
Roseland After Murderers.
l. Peterson Roseland, who is doing a
landoffice business for the Dakota
Farmer, hired an auto on behalf Of
Ward county and securing couple Of