The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-05-09
POLITICS IN IDAHO.
But War Continues to Be the ALL
absorbing Topic.
Especial Correspondence.)


Boise, Ida, May S.-Political leaders in
Idaho as elsewhere, find it difficult TO
arouse interest in the matter of offices
with the whole state talking war. At the
state capitol the voice of the adjutant
general is heard where not so long ago
were whispered political secrets, and
white-gloved orderlies pass to and fro
over the well-beaten paths of political
lieutenants. There is no time, no inclina-
ton, to talk politics, and the leaders at
headquarters are forced to shy about on
the outskirts and commune in silence.
Just before the war spirit completely
seized the people, however, there was
great activity in political circles. The
Democratic and silver Republican COM
mittees met and. as many believe, COM
pleted arrangements whereby the 1Popu-
lists are to be left out of the silver union.
politics of the state ever since the Dem
ocrats yielded few points two years
ago in the interest of a harmonious fu-
sion. Daily they become more eXacting
in their demands and the Democratic
leaders came to the conclusion to trim
them down at the first opportunity. 1t
came when the Populists, without con-
Sultation with their former allies, called
their committee meeting unusually early
and decided to hold their state convention
at Moscow. In taking this action they
were filled with the idea that the Demo-
Gratis, in order to get in, would weaken
their position by following them to Mos
cow. This would, they reasoned. place
the Democrats in a humiliating position
and the Populists would be left in a posi-
ton that would leave them masters OF
the fusion programme.
But the Democratic leaders had vastly
different ideas. When they met here
they fixed the place for holding their
state convention at Boise and asked the
members of the POpulist committee. in
the interest of consolidation of the silver
forces of the state. to change their con-
Vention to this city. This the PopuliStS
refused to do. Without further ado the
Democrats prepared their address to the
people, asking all the silver parties to
join with them. This invitation the silver
Republicans accepted at once. calling
their convention for the oath of August
the date OF the Democratic gathering
There, however, all open efforts at fusion
between the Democrats and silver Re
publicans end. Whatever understanding
if any, may have been reached between
the leaders of those parties is still a we'll
guarded secret.
Perhaps one of the most interesting
straws in this Connection is the one that
blows anti-DuboiSwards. The plan of
those who now have control of the silver
Republican organization is to hit ex-
Senator Dubois so hard this time that he
will forever after remain al outsider
And they propose to do il with a Demo-
cratic club. Some claim however, that in
the end the heretofore invincible Freddv
will shortly regain his lost prestige in his
own party, and if he should the Demo-
Gratis might find it convenient to swallow
their wrath for the purpose of the coming
campaign. Still, when the attitude of Mr.
Sweet and other strong silver Republic
ans is taken into consideration. one can
scarcely imagine how Mr.. Dubois is to
secure hold of the reinS. All the anti
Dubois leaders in the silver Republican
ranks consider the ex-senator politically
dead, and. as he is just now remaining re-
markably quiet, it is barely possible he
is connecting some coup that will send the
Sweetites to Davy Jones political locker
1lQ[rS
And the things that might happen
should Mr.. Dubois gain the ascendency
are very interesting to contemplate, in
view of the apparent irreconcilable
eStrangement Of the Democrats and Pop
ulists. Now, when Freddy wields the
whip good many backs are likely to feel
the sting of the pepper. Let us suppose a
case: Give FREDDY control of the si-ver
Republican organ izatiOn absolutely He
tells the Democrats that if they would
win in the oncomins contest they must
unite with him. Tho Populists he tells
them, are going it alone up to date but
the silver Republicans prefer the Demo-
Gratis as political partners, if the latter
will come in and not demand too much
Otherwise he will take in the Pooulists
and carry the state. He would tel the
Populists much the same story. and it is
likely opposition to him in either quarter
would melt away and there would be a
scramble for his support. The obvious
result: Dubois as the balance of power
drags to the support of his senatorial as
pirations the party with which he unites
He allows his allies to select the best
places, but at the same time dictates who
shall fill them, and ties the ally party
with rawhide thongs to his senatorial
boom. Such q situation would be inter
esting: would it not2 II might be pre-
scented in just the shape outlined. Stranger
things have happened even in Idaho. He
has been called Foxy Fred. and his
friends do not believe he will lose that So
briquet. REX OSBORNE