Idaho semi-weekly world. [volume] (Idaho City, Idaho Territory) 1875-1908, 1893-09-15
ASsULLED THE ROAD Law.

nounced that they have concluded to
annul the State wagon road law.
Many things point to the fact that
this has been their intention right
along, and they were very probably
only awaiting some PLAUSIBLE pretext
behind which to crawl, and hide their
real animus. What right have the
State officers to annul State law?
But perhaps, in this age of Official de-
generation, it is impertinent and out
Of place to ask such question. Is
not notification Of law and the max
ing of law, by those not clothed with
that authority, the order Of the day,
from President down? It seems to
be useless any more to enact laws.
There is no assurance that they will
be carried out. Usurpation and null
lification are in the air, and are con-
tagious. Legislatures are created
for the purpose Of enacting laws, and
the execution of them left to other
officials, whose duty it is to see that
these laws are made operative, not to
annul them or by usurpation wrong
fully enact others. But conscien-
tious performance of duty is no longer
the guide of officials in a very large
per cent. OF cases. The will of the
officials is the rule. The executors of
law, or those presumed to be such
those placed in position for that pur-
pose--if true to their oaths, do not
inquire, Is this good law or is it a
bad law" or "is it as would like it,
and then on their individual judg-
ments, personal interests or whims
carry it out or annul it. When an
appropriation is made it is out of
their jurisdiction to annul the law
making it because they believe, OF
pretend to believe, the appropriation
is insufficient in amount for the com.
plete accomplishment of the purpose
for which it was appropriated. 1t is
their duty to 60 ahead and make that
money go as far as possible. But
these State officials, it is our firm be.
lief. do not know whether the appro.
priation for the State road is suffi
cient or not. But this makes no diff
ference. That is not their bushes.
in an official capacity. If they gt
ahead in good faith and carry out the
provisions of the law as far as lies ir
their power, and the appropriation |:
sufficient, they have no responsibility
for that deficiency resting on thei
shoulders. That rests with the Leg
islature making the appropriation
But by annulling that law they have
the stigma of violation of their off
cial oaths resting upon them. Blu
stigmas in these days of official rot
tenness rest easy. In fact they ar
sort of gloated over as a species o
smartness. 1t has been apparent t.
many from the very start that tn
State officials intended to defeat thi
law. With that disreputable aim il
view a pretext is always easy to find
The first move was to secure the ap
pointment of Road Commissioner
, who we're opposed to, and fought tn
bill. Such one was appointed fror
this county, and it has been stated
| and generally believed, that hig
) official-or rather a low Official,
reports are true, occupying high pa
t sition-used his influence to secur
: that appointment. At any rate, tn
, bitterest enemy of the road bill i
, Boise county was appointed Roa
Commissioner for this county. N
doubt the same scheme was worked
, or attempted, in other counties. Som
of the bills allowed for surveys wer
outrageous. The firm that bid low
est on the bonds offered to put up a
, the money in a short time after az
ceptance of their bid. THIS offer wa
y not accepted. When they wer
, called on for money it was not fortl
coming, and the State officials-be
pardon-State usurpers and nullif,
fers-said they were very sorry, {
words to that effect, that on accour
$ of the great stringency of the none
g market the bonds could not be f1oate
e elsewhere. There is greater stri'
e gency around the State House ths
e the stringency of the money marke
s. and that is stringency of official ii
q tegrity and desire to do right The
IS no doubt snicker and say: "We''
It done a smart trick, and what are the
$. going to do about it?" With an ho
:. est intention tn carry ont the rof