State is divided into judicial districts, in each of which a judge is elected for a term of four years, and there is a district court in each county at least twice a year. A clerk of the district court is elected for each county, holding office four years. A prosecuting attorney is elected for each organized county for the term of two years. There are also probate courts, justices of the peace, and such other courts as may be established by law. Three-fourths of a jury may render a verdict in a civil action, or five-sixths of a jury in a criminal action for a misdemeanor.
Local Government. The Legislature maintains a uniform system of county government, and by general laws provides for township and precinct organizations, and for the incorporation, organization, and classification of cities and towns. Each county biennially elects county commissioners, a sheriff, treasurer, probate judge, county superintendent of public instruction, assessor, coroner, and surveyor.
Finance. The bonded indebtedness of the State on January 1, 1901, was $443,500. Much of this was incurred in the construction of wagon roads. The outstanding State warrants for the same date were $124,766.
Militia. Able-bodied male residents between the ages of eighteen and forty-five are liable to military duty, except persons having conscientious scruples against bearing arms. These may be exempted from such duty in time of peace. In 1899 the State had an organized militia of 566 officers and men.
Population. The development of the mineral and other resources of the State has induced a rapid growth in the population—almost doubling in the decade 1890-1900. The population consists predominantly of native-born Americans, only about one-sixth being foreign born. As in other mining and grazing States, the male sex is much in excess. The population, by decades, is as follows: in 1870, 14,999; in 1880, 32,610; in 1890, 84,385; in 1900, 161,772. In 1900, Boise, the capital, contained a population of 5957, and Pocatello, 4046.
Indians. According to the last census there were 4226 Indians in the State. There are four reservations, viz. the Fort Hall, Lemhi, Cœur d'Alêne, and Nez Percé. The Indians in the two last-named reservations have made much progress and are practically self-supporting. The others are still dependent upon the Government, receiving about 30 per cent. of their substance from Government rations.
Religion. In religion, Idaho is, like Utah, strongly Mormon. The Catholics are the next strongest, and the Methodists, Baptists, and Presbyterians follow in the order named.
Education. The school officers of the State consist of a superintendent of public instruction, a superintendent of each county, and a board of three trustees in each district. Schools cannot be supported from the public-school fund if any political or sectarian doctrines be taught therein; and the distribution of books, tracts, or documents of this character in them is forbidden by law. The public schools are sustained from the income of a general school fund, also from a county tax, from moneys arising from legal fines and forfeitures, and from fees paid by teachers for certificates of qualification. The basis for distribution of the school money is the number of individuals of school age (five to twenty-one years). Districts may levy special taxes for building or repairing school-houses, and, when the cost of repairs does not exceed $25, the trustees may levy a rate bill, to be collected from such patrons of the school as are able to pay. In 1900 only 4.6 per cent. of the population ten years of age and over were unable to read and write, which was smaller than the corresponding number for the whole country. The State institutions comprise the University of Idaho at Moscow and normal schools at Albion and Lewiston. In connection with the State University an agricultural and mechanical college is maintained. There are also the College of Idaho (Presbyterian) at Caldwell; Episcopal school at Lewiston; Saint Aloysius Academy at Lewiston; Saint Teresa's Academy at Boise; and an industrial school for Cœur d'Alêne Indian girls at Desmet.
Charitable and Penal. Detectives are temporarily sent for purposes of education to the institutions of neighboring States. In 1900 the State insane asylum at Blackfoot contained 118 male and 74 female inmates. In the same year the State prison at Boise contained an average daily enrollment of 150 prisoners.
History. The first white explorers of Idaho were Lewis and Clark in the first decade of the nineteenth century. A mission is reported to have been established at Cœur d'Alêne in 1842, but for many years after that the region was visited only by hunters and prospectors. It was organized as a Territory on March 3, 1863, but with an area more than three times as large as at present, since it included the whole of Montana and nearly all of Wyoming. In May, 1864, a part was set off to Montana, and in 1868 Wyoming was organized. The discovery of gold in 1882 at Cœur d'Alêne in the northern part of the State was followed by a large immigration. In 1889 a new constitution was adopted, and the University of Idaho was established at Moscow. On July 3, 1890, Idaho was admitted to the Union. The presence of a large number of Mormons in the southern part of the State excited great alarm, and as early as 1883 led to hostile action on the part of the Legislature. A law depriving professed polygamists of the right to vote was carried to the United States Supreme Court, and there sustained. In 1893, however, the heads of the Mormon Church rejected polygamy as an essential element of their creed, the anti-Mormon restrictions were removed, and all single-wived Latter Day Saints were admitted to the ballot-box. From May to September, 1892, a miners' strike at Cœur d'Alêne was marked by a number of bloody conflicts between union and nonunion workers. Federal troops were dispatched to the scene of disturbance, and military law was proclaimed. The strike failed, but dissatisfaction persisted among the mine workers, and in April, 1899, blazed out in renewed strikes and riots. Martial law was once more proclaimed, and nearly one thousand miners were seized and imprisoned by the United States troops till the strike was crushed out.
In national elections Idaho was carried by the Democrats, or the Democrats and Populists in fusion, in 1892, 1896, and 1900. The Governors since its organization as a Territory have been as follows:
