The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1893-09-02
INDIVIDUAL OPINION.

INDIVIDUAL OPINION.
Hinder this head win be found expressions Of
opinion which do not properly belong in the ed
ilorial department-EDzrOR-1
In looking over the prominent
republicans" of Idaho I am sur
prised that the party has held sway
so long with such men at its head.
l am more than surprised when l
see such staunch, honest men and
republicans as Hon. Us. Waters. Of
HALEY, Hon. Willis Sweet, Edgar
Wilson and others of their stamp.
playing second fiddle to the pot
house element of their party. How
they can even allow their names to
be associated as affiliating with
such political characters as Neon
nell, the Pinkhams. Shoup, and
others of that ilk, is not only SUR
prise to me, but to any intelligent
citizen. But, now, that Mcconnell
and his rag-tag following have left
the republican party, these gentle
men may assert themselves, and
by their individual worth and in
tegrity give the party sufficient re-
spectability to command respect
that it has not experienced before
in the history of this state. With
good, clean men at its head, a solid
silver plank in its platform. the re-
publican party of Idaho will give
the populists a close race next
year, but with the Mcconnell gang,
or the Pinkham outfit taking the
lead, there is no platform broad
enough to save it.
The populist party last year
would have been as successful IN
Idaho as it was in Colorado and
Nevada, had it had as able a
leadership and organizers as those
states. Idaho virtually had no
leadership. OF course Captain
Gum exhibited "Jack" Crook over
the state as a candidate for Cover
nor, but, while both men are hon
est, patriotic citizens, who believed
in the principles they advocated,
neither was calculated for leader
of men, or an organizer. Captain
Gum is too conciliatory for sue
cessful politician, and a leader;
he puts too much confidence in the
honesty of political enemies. Mr..
Crook is not public man, in po-
litical sense, and his honest, retir-
ing nature particularly untitled
him forlmaking a political canvass.
The effects of organization was
most practically demonstrated in
the case of Alturas county, where
a most perfect organization was
had, and is still maintained. The
election next year will be better
managed, as the state organization
will be better perfected. The thor
ough organizations of Custer, Lo-
gan and Al,uras will be the incen-
tive, and the result will be repe-
tition of the sweep made in those
/ believe that with the
action of the present congress star
ing the people in the face, and with
new leaders to assist the old, that
the victory next year in this state
will be overwhelming.
~
l have been endeavoring to dis
cover what the republican party of
this state has to be proud of. Is
it their record-that made by Gov.
Wiley, Pinkhams, and their gang
of wreckers; is it their present
leader-Governor McConnell-who
came to the silver convention at
Ketchum and disgraced his posi-.
ton and state by being-well, l
should say drunk, but out of cour-
tesy to his associates who did their
best to prevent his action, I will
call it "unwell." It can't be these
things they are proud Of; and if it
ia not these, then, what?
~
l was surprised to see r. II.
Davis take q stand in his Caldwell
Tribune, upholding the Governors
position at the late silver conven-
ton, when he said, II called this
convention; it is my convention,
and am going to run it." AS
Mr.. Davis has always run an in
dependent republican journal, fear
less in its expressions for right and
Justice, and just in it's criticisms, it
seems strange that he should now
undertake to justify an action 80
gross on the part of an arrogant,
eeotistical politician. l sincerely
hope that Mr.. Davis is honest in his
belief that the governor was justi-
fed in his remark, as I would dis
like to believe for moment that
such an independent journal as
the Tribune has proven itself to
be. should have strings" on it.
The Tribune gives as the cause
of the Governor making such an
impolitic remark at such time,
that Senator Ruick aged him to it
by insulting remarks. To certain
extent that maybe true, but there
il another reason more Dotent than