The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1894-12-29
THE QUESTION SETTLED.


Recently very elaborate correspon-
dence has passed between Representa-
tive Sweet and Senator Shoup the pur-
pose and effect of which was to settle
IN interesting question of veracity
which the friends of the gentlemen
were zealously engaged in discussing
Representative Sweet opened the epis-
t0lary performance through the medi-
UNI OF the Salt Lake Herald: a friendly
Democratic journal, while Senior Shoup
patronized the Salt Lake Tribune, a
friendly Republican organ. The bur-
den of Representative Sweets letter
was to establish the fact of a private
agreement between himself and Senator
Shoup whereby the latter could not
enter the senatorial contest without a
fragrant breach of good faith. The
principal points discussed, and which
involved the charge of treachery, clus-
tered around the incidents connected
with that ill-devised scheme to nomi
nate United States Senator in the Re-
publican convention. It is claimed by
Mr.. Sweet that the failure of that
scheme did not in any way effect his
candidacy or change the status OF the
agreement between himself and Sena-
tor Shoup. Mr.. Sweet claims further
that the understanding with Senator
Shoup was absolute and unprovisional
and the fact that he, Sweet, failed to
procure his own nomination in convell-
ton did not in anywise relieve Senator
Shoup from obligations which any
moderately honorable man would feel
compelled to scrupulously observe. On
Mr.. Sweets showing, Senator Shoup
would be morally bound not only to re-
main out of the contest himself, but to
give Mr.. Sweet. every possible succor
and comfort. We believe that when
gentlemen enter into compact, sol
.emnly shake hands and attest it with
sociable drink, the whole power of the
moral code ought to be invoked to
0blige its strict enforcement. Senator
Shoup cOntradicts Mr. Sweet ON every
material point and asserts that there
was a distinct understanding to the
effect that in case Mr.. Sweet could not
procure convention nomination. then
Mr. Sweet would withdraw from the
senatorial race and Senator Shoup
would enter. Politely speaking, it is
quite evident that one or the other gen.
tleman is mistaken in his facts, putting
it coarsely, somebody has lied. There
is disposition in certain quarters to
intimate that meddlesome persons have
so interfered and complicated things
that while there is palpable contra
diction in terms, there is really no
plain, blunt lie; but, ordinary people
will prefer to believe differently. 1t is
simply, then. question of veraclty be-
tween Willis Sweet and George L.
Shoup and the general public is left to
believe whichever gentleman whose
life and character has inspired in it the
greatest respect and confidence. II
Mr. Sweets statements we're backed by
half dozen witnesses as eminent and
trustworthy as himself, the people OF
this state might accept them differen-
italy, but alone and unsupported,
they can not hope to carry convic-
tion. It is needless to observe that
Senator ShOuD's statements are atteSted
by a respectable newspaper correspond
ent, Senator Pettigrew and Others who
overheard Mr.. Sweet say that if he
failed Of nomination at the state con-
-vention, he would not be candidate
for the senate. Until Mr.. Sweet can
introduce some corroborative evidence,
the testimony of Mr.. Shoup is quite
sufficient to the purpose.
PENN0vER TO THE PRESIDENT.