The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1903-02-07
WHICH SHALL IT BE?

sire to preach to it. But the mem
bers will understand that we are on
the outside and hear a great many
things which those who are on the
inside may not hear. Without
being too specific We wouln 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
recommendations touching a dispo-
sition of the public funds. The
idea of the recommendation was
that the interest on idle public
money should lie a benefit of the
people in2teal Of the particular
officer in whose custody the money
may be- 1t has become no.
torious fact that treasurers, both
State and county, are making
more money out of daily bal
ances than out of their salaries.
This is particularly true of the
State treasurer. The Governor
recommends that these balances go
into 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 objections are
being urged and the most subtle
means are being employed to pre-
vent proper legislation on this sub
ject. It 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 a hold on the
body polite that it would be unsafe
to amputate it at once. Of course,
they do not put it just that way
and indeed they do not mean it just
that way. What they do mean is
that there was an implied under
standing with all candidates for
treasurer that existing conditions
should not be disturbed, and it is
alleged that these candidates paid
their political assessments on that
understanding. A Republican who
advances that kind of an argument
places his party in very unenvia-
BILE position. But there are Repub-
licans who will place their party
most any where III order to promote
their own interests or what seems
to be their interests. We suggest
to the Republican members of the
legislature that down in the execu-
tive Office is man whose whole
heart and soul is wrapped up in
desire to promote the public veal.
He has clearly and courageously
marked out the path which every
member, in his own heart, knows
he ought to follow, and every men,
Der must realize that if he deviates
from that path the consequence
must fall upon himself and the
odium rest upon Republicanism.
The cry has been for a clean, up
right administration. Ali the ante
election criticisms were hurled
against that which was unclean and
unjust. The time is now at hand
when the Republicans must by their
acts justify their professions. If
they fail, what right will they have
again to appeal to the people for sup
port! Aud we wish TO say right here
that If they do fallit will be because
they prefer failure to success. If
they fall it will not be because of
blind leadership but because of their
own perVerseness. The Republi-
can members of the legislature can.
not too highly appreciate that with
them rests the hope and the inteeri-
ty OF the party. In their hands is
either the making or the unmaking
of Republicanism in Idaho. Wise
and courageous conduct ON their
part will start the party on career
of successful administration which
will last for at least a generation.
Cowardly and dishonest conduct
will hPiuCy t1a xaaSk@, - .lsu