The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1903-02-12
Which Shall 1t Be?

L
the Idaho legislature for seeming to be
overcome with a desire to preach to it.
But the members will understand that
we are on the the outside and hear a
great many things which those who are
on the inside may not hear. Without
being too specific we would like to say
to them that there are influences at
work against which they cannot too
carefully guard. Governor Morrison in
his message made some recommends
tions touching disposition of the pub
lie funds The idea Of recommendation
was that the interest on idle public
anoney should be a benefit of the people
instead of the particular officer in whose
custody the money may be. 1t has be
come notorious fact that treasurers,
both state and county, are making more
money out of daily balances than out Of
their salaries This is particularly true
of the state treasurer, The governor
recommends that these balances go in
to the general treasury instead Of into
the pockets of the officers. There is
certainly not an honest man in the state
who can find the least objection, yet OBJ
jections are being urged and the most
subtle means are being employed to pre-
vent proper legislation on this subject.
1t has even been limited, by those who
professedly favor proper legislation,
that some measure should be enacted
looking to the correction of this evil but
that it should not go into force for two
years after the enactment. In other
words they advocate that the evil has
obtained such hold on the body polite
that it would be unsafe to amputate 1t
at once OF course, they do not put 1T
just that way and indeed they do not
mean it just that way What they do
mean is that there was an implied
understanding with all candidates for
treasurer that existing conditions should
not be disturbed, and it is alleged that
these candidates paid their political ass
essments on that understanding. A re
publican who advances that kind OF AT
argument places his party in very I'M
enviable position. But there are repub
licans who will place their party mos
Z anywhere in order to promote their OWL
> interests or what seems to be their in
terests. We suggest to the republican
members of the legislature that down il
t the executive office is man whose
g whole heart and soul is wrapped up II
, desire to promote the public veal ID
has clearly and courageously marked
out the path which every member, Il
: his own heart, knows he ought to follow
and every member must realize that
he deviates from that path the conse
quence must fall upon him and tn
odium rest upon republicanism. Th
cry has been for a clean, upright admin
: istration All the ante-election crit
: cisms were hurled against that whic
was unclean and unjust. The time
{ now at hand when the republicans mus
n by their acts Justify their professions
e If they fail, what right have they t
> appeal again to the people for support
And we wish to say right here that
J. they do fail it will be because they prt
fer failure to success. If they fail
will not be because of blind leadershi
!. but because of their own perversenes
i The republican members of the leglsl'
- ture cannot too highly appreciate thu
u with them rests the hope and the Il
le tegrity of the party. In their hands
r either the making or unmaklng OF I
:, publicanism in Idaho Wise and cou
" ageous conduct on their part will sta
u the party ON career of successful az
il ministration which will last for at lea
e generation Cowardly and dishone
,f conduct will bring the party to dlsgra
- and destruction. Which shall 1t b.
Caldwell Tribune.