The daily star-mirror. (Moscow, Idaho) 1911-1939, 1923-09-06
MOORE OPPOSES
CONVICTS' RELEASE
FROWNS ON ATTEMPTS TO HAVE
THREE IDAHO POLITICAL PRI-
SONERS SET FREE

taken definite stand against the
release from the states prison of A
S. Embree, w. E. Herd, and r
Quackenbush, convicted of violating
the state criminal syndicalism law,
according to letter published in the
Idaho Statesman The American
Civil Liberties union of New York
City, it is alleged, is writing letters
to Idaho citizens urging them to make
pleas before the state board of par
dons for the release of these men.
In letter to Mrs. Jessie Meglasson
of Kuna, under date of July 27, the
governor said that it seemed impos-
sible for him to help them, especially
In securing freedom from the state
prison Mrs. Meglasson had written
the governor asking clemency for the
three men.
The governors answer follows:
"I appreciate your letter written
from the kindness of your heart for
the three men in the state prison con-
victed of criminal syndicaliSm, but
fear that your letter in the main is
founded upon misinformation. These
men were convicted by a judge and
jury of American citizens for melting
riot and favoring the overthrow of
the government, which you admit is
trying to give us all square deal
Liberty Overdone
The liberty that you and I enjoy
does not mean the license to preach
the overthrow of the government by
force, the destruction of property and
the abandonment of the principles OF
right, justice, order and Christian
fellowship as laid down by the great
Teacher. You say in your letter:
ic Iod d11txy Of
citizen of this republic to obey it's
laws, whether that law calls for one
to lay down life to help make the
world safe for democracy or allow
our neighbor to go about his lawful
duty unmolested. Justice is the
cornerstone of all government in the
final analysis and peace is the effect
of righteousness.
"This is one of the clearest state
ments of what I think of law and
order that I have heard and [ thank
you for it. If these three men in
the penitentiary had obeyed the laws
of the republic and were willing to
allow our neighbors to go about law
full business unmolested they would
not now be in prison. If they had
exemplified justice as the cornerstone
of the government and peace and
held as dangerous advocates of poll
icy of destruction. Your own argu-
ment favors law and order and these
men were serious menaces to law and
order in the state.
Willing to Aid
am willing to do everything in
my power to help these men become
peaceful, law-abiding citizens, but as
long as they sympathize in the least
with an organization which would
tear down all of our religious insti-
tutions and the sacred things for
which you and / stand it seems i'm
possible for me to help them, espe-
cially in securing freedom from the |
state prison.
Il assure you also that I must |
make a stand for the perpetuity, for
the sacred things of the home and |
society which are protected by law
and order. These are not safe if the |
principles advocated by these men
were adopted throughout the nation.
With sincere regards,
Respectfully yours,
&C. G. MOORE,
Governor"
Herd was received at the penitenti-
ary in 1918 to serve term of from
four to 10 years; Embree received a
sentence of from one to 10 years in
1921, and Quackenbush, reprieved on
account of his health, was rearrested
in May Of 1928