The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-01-17

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and to the people of the State to
have fully and clearly established
the true inwardness of his character
and disposition.
1t probably needed just the thing
that has happened to place w. E.
Borah right before the people of
this State. After his defeat in cau-
Gus many of his friends sought to
break the caucus conclusion. It
was argued that the terms of the
original agreement had been vio-
lated. Democrats held out the in
ducemcnt that they would vote for
and elect Borah if his friends would
break away from the caucus.
Twenty of them met to consider
the proposition; ten had signed an
agreement that they were ready 10
take the step. 1t was moment Of
strong and dangerous temptation,
when Borah got word of what was
taking place. Promptly and unset
fshly he took steps to absolutely
check the movement, and going to
the meeting of his friends said to
them:
"Mr. Chairman and Friends:-I
appreciate, I assure you, the friend
ship which brings you together
again TO discuss a matter which I
had supposed finally settled: I
know, however, that yeu have a
perfect right to be here, and I know
the reasons which have brought
you here. But there is no use now
to review matters which are a part
of the past and no use to discuss
things which cannot be remedied.
"There is no doubt in my mind
at all but that the agreement was
violated in most every particular,
and the fact that you are here
should cast no reflection on you
whatever. 1t was distinctly agreed
and understood that we were to re-
main before the caucus until Satur-
day night, and this urged over my
objection, as we insisted that the
matter should be settled the first
night in caucus. The others con-
tended that the matter should be
held up for four or five days until
each party should have a fair op-
portunity to develop its strength.
The facts which have come out dis
close that within a few hours after
the adjournment Of the first session
of the caucus an agreement was
made which violated all the terms
OF the caucus agreement.
II say these things, and much
more might be said. to justify your
presence. But, Notwithstanding
these things, there is another side
to this question, and one which is
binding upon you and me. Your
names and my name are upon that
CAUCUS agreement. We are bound
by its letter and its spirit. In addi-
ton to this, we are all Republicans
and anxious to maintain our partv
In power, and, above all, anxious
to hold the respect of the people of
this State. We cannot do anything
which seems in any measure to mil
1tate against the party or against
our honor; it does not make anv
difference what other people may
have done.
"Since this thing has happened,
l may say to you that I have had
many friends that have counseled
my going into the Legislature, not
withstanding that caucus; but it is
as clear to my mind as anything
can be that we cannot consider that
proposition. Every obligation which
binds us to the welfare of our party
prevents consideration of such a |
course.
1T is my deliberate judgment,
after thinking over this matter in
every conceivable way and listening
to all the arguments which have