The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-08-18
THAT FIVE THOUSAND.

on the mlnOS OF many Ool0gaC0S 10 the
Republican Convention. The idea was
quite prevalent that Mr.. RICH, as a
prominent and influential member OF
the church, would be able, through
ecclesiastical channels, to control the
vote of 5000 Mormons. That impress
sion grew out of the fact that Mr.. RICH
seemed to act in dual capacity, and
inadvertently, during his speeches, he
dropped some remarks which could not
very well be construed otherwise. In
his zeal for the Republican cause, the
gentleman, no doubt, overstepped the
bounds of better discretion. He should
have been very careful to avoid saying
anything, from which even an inference
could be drawn, signifying that church
authority would, to any degree, control
or effect the vote of the Mormon PEG
pie. What Mr.. RICH did mean was
that tradition. experience and enlight-
eminent all contributed to incline most
of the Mormon people towards Repub-
licanism and, therefore, the party had
substantial grounds for believing that
large majority would support the Re-
publican ticket. Mr.. RICH laid on too
much stress and too often reiterated
that he was representative of 5000 Pc
cuIiar voters. Whether designedly or
not, the impression conveyed was that
Mr.. RICH was the sole representative
and had those 5000 voters wholly at his
private disposal. The fact of the mat
ter is that Mr.. RICH, correctly speak
ing, represented no part of southeast
ern Idaho, except Fremont county; he
represented no part of the Mormon
people, in that convention, except those
who were of the Republican faith in
Fremont county,; he did not represent
one class Of Republicans but to the ex.
tent of his representative capacity,
equal with any other delegate, repre-
sented all Republicans. In assuming
that he, a delegate from Fremont
county, spoke for all south. eastern
Idaho, he left the convention and the
public but one of two conclusions to
draw-either Mr.. Rich is inclined to
bombast or through church influences
he is able to control the Mormon vote.
THE TRIBUNE charges Mr.. RICH with |
nothing worse than feverish zeal lead
ing to somewhat reckless and extrava-
giant expression. He was certainly in
discreet in so far as his remarks con-
veyed the idea that church authority
was still potent influence directing
the political operations of the Mormon
people. That at once raises the old
question of sincerity and competency
and is step backward towards the old
Mormon and Anti Mormon fight. Mr..
Rich is brilliant young man and a
credit to the Republican party. He is
confident and spirited and
. degree of assumption may be excused
In him. However, we trust he will 4
net. again. make the mistake of accord |
ing to his own person the control of
1000 Mormon electors. There is no
other man in the state who would dare
70 much self-assumption, and there is l
40 man in the state with free and un-
constituency of such magni. ,
ude subject to his personal dictation.
As q Republican, Mr.. RICH can not {
pretend such power and as a Mormon }
70 should not exercise it if in his pos a
ession, and, hereafter, we hope, will r
lot thoughtlesslv assume it. il