Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-10-10
For PRESIDENT:
WILLIAM ]. BRYAN, Of Nebraska
THEN AND NOW.

II
The Action OF Idaho Democrats -Four
Years Ago, and Their Action In This
Campaign.
Four years ago the Democratic party
of Idaho had higher regard for party
discipline than it manifests to-day.
Then it recognized the authority OF the
National Committee: to-day it laughs
to scorn and spurns that authority.
Four years ago Mr.. Harrity, then
chairman of the National Committee,
sent member of his committee, Hugh
Wallace, to the State, with demand
that the Democratic electors be with
drawn and the party vote for the
Weaver electors. This arrangement
Aonld surely take the State from the
Harrison column of electors.
Mr.. Wallace came first TO Pocatello
and conferred with Mr.. Beane, Ma
tional Committeeman for Idaho, and
Mr.. Tillinghast, chairman of the State |
Central Committee, and afterwards met |
these gentlemen. together with ex-
Governor Stevenson, Mr.. Ainslie, Mr.. |
Dick johnson and others at Nampa,
and it was promptly and unanimously
agreed to comply with Mr.. Harrity's
demand. Party loyalty demanded 1t.
Messrs. Eden, Reid and Bryan, Demo-
cratic electors, were withdrawn and
the names of the Weaver electors we're
run up to the party's masthead.
Messrs. Eden, Reid and Bryan made
no kick; they readily acquiesced; they
were too patriotic to object; too good
and brave party soldiers to disobey or
ders coming from higher officers, and
the rank and file of the party shouted
'tAmen, so be itl'' Every Democratic
voter at that time will remember how
trying IL was to give up their electors.
Some of them had never voted for q
President, and they did not wish to
lose this opportunity OF voting for a
candidate of their party, but fidelity
and loyalty said: "Let it be so;n and it
was so.
weakness-it was in doubt about elect
ing man on its ticket; 1t wanted Ma
tional aid and backing. Mr.. Harrity
gave the aid and all the influence in
his power. But how different to-day.
The end Of the teter-board which was
down then ID up to-day. By fusion with
the Populists, the party feels strong,
it laughs to scorn the request OF Mr..
Jones of the National Committee, who
asks that his advisory committeeman
in the State be recognized. His mes
sengers are sent away and with mes
sages like this: "You go home and at
tend to your own business; we will look
after ours. When we need you we will
call for you.."
There is no cause for wondermen
that decentralization has mace its ap
peararce in the ranks-that mutfnoui
threats and murmurings are heard Ii
the camp. II subordinate leaders will
fully aisebey the leaders above them
it ought not to be surprising that tn
rank and file should throw of the re
straints OF discipline and walk the pa
rade grounds at will. Mr.. Jones dit
not transcend his authority; he did no
infringe upon any of the party's right
in the State; he was courteous and re
spectful in his requests, and no on
will raise the question and say he wa
not working for the good Of the cause
Mr.. Jones was acting in accordanc
with MIR. Bryan's wishes and MI
Bryan is the great leader OF the part
forces.
But four years hence another grea
campaign will be on. The Democrat
party of this Nation will not be dead
it matters not what the result OF th
November election. II will have
National Committee and there will /
State committees. Ii may be that on
State committee will want financii
aid and influence then, and what If I'll
National Committee should say: "Ye
go away and attend to your own bus
ness; we will attend 30 ours; four yea
ago you laughed US to scorn, now ii
our turn TO laugh, and we laugh III
best organized parties, other things b
ing equal, are the ones 10 win victorie
Organization Is naintainad by hoy
obedience to leaders, Insubofdinatit
among leaders produces demoralisatit
in the ranks, and decentralization e
dangers and always lessons the result
of victory. The NEWS regrets th'
the committee Of the Democratic par
and OF the Populist party Of Idaho, d
hot courteously aud gracefully COMP