The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1891-03-07
Tie Gentlcnlam % from, Star.


The Gentleman ~ from Star.
TIE TRIBUNE believes man in pub.
lie life has more than his share of
trouble in this world, and so long as his
actions are governed by his conscience
and he is honest in his opinions and
utterances, the olive branch should be
held out to him, although we may
widely differ on important questions.
When the question of the division of
Ada county came up, Mr.. Ballentine
opposed the measure, and gave as his
reason, that he did not believe the
majority of the people in the proposed
new county wanted it. Convince me-"
said he. "ttat the majority want it, and
1 will support the measure" Thus far
Mr.. Ballentine appeared honest, and
no one thought less of him for his
opposition. But mark bis consistency.
When petition Of 700 out OF 800 voters
was placed before him. he abandoned
all his high.sodnding, patriotic utter.
ances, aud like a NANCY cur, he began
the most violent abuse a forbearing
people ever took without resentment.
SO long 40 he confined his virulent and
filthy attacks to the measuse and Mr..
Frank Steunenberg, The TRIBUNE
had nothing to say. Mr.. Steunenberg
had equal privileges with him on the
floor, and THE TRIBUNE would hate to
think that he could not hold his own
with the righteous man from Star.
but when In most cowardly manner,
this man takes advantage Of his posi-
ton on the floor of the House of Repre-
sentatives to abuse and villify such
men as Hon. d. L. Bailey, Monte b.
Gwinn, Sherman NJ. Coffin, Hon. Geo.
w. Paul, Hon. II. X. Hartley and q
score Of others, when he wellknOws they
have no means of redress, it is not only
the privilege, but the duty of THE
TRIBUNE to lift its voice in their be-
half. The character, integrity and
record of each man which Ballentine
tried to drag down to his own level,
when compared with his lit such COM
parison be possible) would loom up
like the Eiffel' tower along side of q
prospect hole. There was nothing too
vile for this man, in his fortified posi-
ton, to say. The citizens Of Caldwell
and vicinity, to man, were branded
as thieves, liars, scoundrels, vultures,
unclean things, Shiny with corruption
and filth. Ballentine and the Boise
Board of Trade alone were honorable.
When in one of his oratorical flights he
inflated himself like horned toad and
in shuddering accents declared II am
too honest for this body; l am the
right man in the wrong place." the
country was undoubtedly duly i'm
pressed with his greatness; but when
after saying he would support the dill
if the people wanted it, he refuses to
let those people vote upon it at the
polls, the illusion vanishes and but for
the bad smell he leaves behind him,
he could not be found.
It is not the purpose of The TRIBUNE
to throw mud back at Mr.. Ballentine.
If We were inclined to we could tell
why he is In this country at all, and
could also explain why he has been
dubbed "the watch dog Of his own
treasury" Tho man has done Us no
harm, for his insane and violent attacks
upon unimpeachable gentlemen and
Canyon county in general, have "raised
upfriends to fight our battles for us." II
was lucky day for Canyon county
when the wild bull Of Basham opposed
tho measure. He has shown himself
utterly incapable Of opposing any pr p
osition with decency; he classes every
body in the same category with him
self; he guages all men by his own mar.
row measure; from instincts of own
every man IL q liar and . thief; and he
has belched forth corruption until men
who love decency and fairness shun
him as pestilence.
Alfalfa, Clover, Timothy.