The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-06-23
THE RHODE ISLAND PLAN.

meets at Boise, the advocates of the
senatorial nominating business viii
present a few strong arguments. IN
order to enlist their patriotism, the
delegates will be told that in 1858, the
Republican convention of Illinois noll
mated that noble man, ABRAHAM LIN
coin, just as the convention of Idaho
proposes to nominate some equal y
celebrated and patriotic Republican
That will be held up as a high aid
worthy precedent: and its force mu t
be admitted. But the delegates viii
not be told that LINCOLN was the OF "
, Republican candidate in the field: til 1t
his endorsement could not inject a!.y
fractional spirit into the campaign
Neither will they be told that after re-
ceiving plurality of 1000 on the popu-
lar vote, LINCOLN was defeated in the
legislature. 1t is probable too. that tie
| Nebraska experiment will not be
dwelled on at any great length. But
when it comes down to the recent cleo
ton in Rhode Island, the advocates Of
nomination will fairly revel in explain
| ing the smooth and satisfactory opera
tick of the scheme. Well, it did work
out to dot, and a strong point was
made in it's favor. The history of the
whole business must be fairly told so
as to bring out its intrinsic advantages.
n. +. DIXON, was the Democratic can
didate to succeed himself He was
very popular, and nothing on earth
could beat him but hard cash. The
whole situation in Rhode Island was
little shakey for the Republicans, and
in the usual political channels money
was scarce GEORGE PEABODY WEI
MORE, a Republican, was ambitious,
and he had about him some seven mil
lions of dollars in cash and available
assets. He really had more currency
than was needed in his regular bust.
ness, which. of late, had been confined
largely to clipping coupons not wool.
The Republicans of Rhode Island
entered into negotiations with GEORGE
PEABODY, resulting in an agreement
on the part of GEORGE to put up all
the ''sinews" for and in consideration
of a senatorship But PEABODY WET
MORE was too old a duck to take
chances Oh the slippery promises of Re-
publican politicians. So he insisted ON
guarantee of good faith. He said to
the Republican management: You
get your convention together and
have me unanimously endorsed, SO
as to shut out the possibility of
any other candidate, and make the
delivery of the goods certain in so
far as the Republican party is con-
cerned: and then you permit me to
name a majority of the legislative tick
ct, and | will unbutton the sack" The
Republican party was in a hole and
had to agree to GEORGE PEABODY's
demands or risk utter defeat. Mr..
WETMORE dictated the whole business
to suit himself Got the nomination,
fixed the legislative ticket and poured
on the scads. Be it said to his credit,
he kept his word like a man and Rhode
Island had campaign to be proud Of
1t was flashy and spectacular and
daisy in every respect. OF course, the
Rhode Island event does not argue
strongly in favor of convention
nomination from a high moral
point. except that the corruption
OF the legislature was etfectually
prevented. But, in order, to save |
the Legislature the whole Republican
party had to be bribed, and it makes it
a little hard to see any direct gain.
When the advocates of convention
nomination of senators cite the Rhode
Island case in support. we hope they
VIII succeed in showing that it is bet
er that the whole party should be
'rostituted than that few members in
he Legislature should be bribed. There
VIII be no force in the application un-
ess they do that. If there is any
daho Republican with $1,000. 900 about
nm that wants to go to the senate on
he same terms as GEORGE PEABODY
' ETMoRE, be should present himself
or endorsement. There is the advan-
age about the Rhode Island idea that
ne money goes more directly into cir
ulation.