, 1890-08-14
POLITICS IN IDAHO.
The Situation at the Capital
Of the State.
The ISSUE OF The CAMPAIGN
1t Is Probable That the Disfran-
ohised Mormons Will Qualify
and Vote.


[spocial Correspondence OF the RE,GEw.I
BOISE CITY, Idaho, Aug. 6.-Thc brill
liant record which the REVIEW has made
in such u short time, mounting rapidly
up to n position In tho front rank of tho
great dailies of the country, has given 1t
an impetus in all parts of Idaho and its
large circulation all through the north
part of the state, together with the deep
interest the REVIEW has from its COM
monce ment taken In her near neighbor,
younger by not quite year in the sister
hood of states, with the great state OF
Washington render IL lifting and appro.
pirate that a letter from this part OF
Idaho should occasionally appear in
its columns, more especially as Idaho Is
now entering upon what is destined to
be the most memorable political cam
paign in her history wherein the polit-
ical com pile Iion of the new state will be
| determined.
The campaign proper will no doubt
begin formally with the meeting OF the
state convention to be held In this city
on the Goth of this month. But already
N this part of Idaho both parties are
vigorously organizing for the battls
which ali see to he approaching.
Tho democratic forces are being rapidly
put into lighting order. Clubs are Or
| ganizing, and some of the leaders talk
confidently of victory, but the masses of
the party enter the test with but little
hope of success. They will, however,
get into line and make as vigorous a
| fight as may be. "Thcirs not to reason
why theirs not to make reply, into the
volloy of battle they Will ride, preset ting
| n bold front to the guns OF their active,
vigorous and well equipped enemy. The
republicans arc alive and awake. The
| chairman of tho state committee, Hon.
Fred #. Dubois, is IN the city. He will
make this place his headquarters during
the campaign, and Is ready to do all he
can tor the success OF tho party In the
state.
The issues of the campaign as between
the two great parties are clearly Marked
The record of the democratic party on
all vital points will be presented to the
people. The position of the national
democratic party in reference to state
hood will be thoroughly ventilated.
While 1t Is true that many leading DEM
ocrats in Idaho favored statehood, the
party as q whole did all in their power
to defeat 1t. In the coming canvass this
will prove very damaging to the party.
What the opinion OF any individual in
any party on any question may be does
not count. Ii Is the position the party
as a whole takes on an issue which gives
it Significance, and the record OF the
democratic party shows II to have been
| hostile to statehood.
As to the Mormon question, IL Is NOS
by any means settled in Idaho. Like
the memorable ghost Of Banqqo 1t will
not down" easily, not even at the bid
ding of the entire government OF the
United States. Leading papers in this
section of Idaho are attempting to create
the impression that the Mormon issue
is forever dead in the state. But 1t will
be recollected that MIR. Springer, of llli-
nois. in his speech in congress
OF Idaho, uttered the prediction that
the disfranchised Mormons would quail
ify and vote. Exactly upon what
grounds the gentleman made such per-
diction we do not know, He may have
been so near the seat of Mormon author
ity as to catch the whisper OF the throne.
! At all events, indications now are that
| this plan will be tried in Idaho this fall.
| Prominent citizens recently returned
from the Mormon center in South Idaho
say that the Mormons are saucy and
defiant. The speech OF X. >. Spence,
eN-eultOT OF MOTiNUn paper DcIoIc tuc
Jefiorsonian democratic club OF this city
some time ago, which was received with
thunders of applause, Indicated the pos
siDle action of the Mormons, while its
reception and hearty encore showed
very tender feeling in the democratic
heart for the afflicted Zion.
The record of the party, too, on lead
is likely to prove its death in every
mining camp in Idaho. The democratic
party is fully pledged and committed to
Tree lead. 1t is one of the principles of
the party and can not and will not be
abandoned by them, any more than any
other vital principle will be. Ths ques-
ton for voters TO determine is whether
they approve of the position Of the ma
tional democratic party on the lead
question.
The center of battle will be around
the legislature. AS this body will, in
addition to recasting all the laws for
the new state, elect two United States
sen ators, the struggle for legislative su-
premacy will be severe and protracted.
In general we may say that tho effect
| of statehood has been very beneficial to
Southern Idaho. 1t has infused new
life into all departments of trade. The
| CAPITAL City, though a trifis slow and
steady, is improving and building up in
a substantial and solid manner. We
claim over 8. 600 people. We have cleo
trio lights, and will soon have an elec--
| tric railway, elegant state, county and
other public buildings, an excellent
school, well equipped fire department,
a reading-room under the management
of the w. Z. T. u, two daily and one
tri- weekly papers, fine agricultural
country adjoining, and delightful
climate, for all OF which we are duly
thankful.
South Idaho desires, through the
medium OF the REVIEW, to clasp hands
with her sister OF the north. and to
pledge her hearty efforts to make Idaho
a bright, particular star in the national
| galaxy. BEPPO.