The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-07-16

Win tAAC LduALALaA
political ring. When | trst subscribed
for this paper il never had a word OF
censure for Democrat or a kindly
statement about Republican or his
party. In those days-and they were
not long Sgo-a Democrat would not
allow a Republican paper to come into
ais house, and a Republican never saw
the inside OF a Democratic journal IL
Is not so in these prosaic times"
When | was urst elected 10 con
gress, observed Colonel Monroe.
party feeling ran so high IN and
around LiucoInville that persons OF OPP
posite political beliefs had as little to
do with one another as possible.
Young women marched in torchlight
parades and signed agreements pledg
ing themselves never TO marry men
who did not vote as did the fathers
and brothers Of these young women.
All members OF each OF the two great
parties firmly believed that the rival
organization was bent on running the
country. Shooungs and murders for
political causes were common. As
rule. Democratic merchants depended
for their patronage on Democratic Gus
toners, and il was seldom that any but
Republicans entered Republican stores"
i remember very WE'LL" unused
Judge Sawyer. what a row was Gre
ared when IL was discovered that the
new minister of our church was not in
political accord with the ma iority Of
his congrega don. He was an eloquent.
able aad God fearing man aud never
tinctured his sermons with the slight.
est hint or politics. but be was com
PEELED to resign and seek call from
a community which imagined Il voted
as 1t prayed
Il haven't changed my political opln-
ions in forty years" declared Post
master jenkins proudly. Il have new
er voted for a man who wasn't on my
ticket and never will. and think that
a man who Is always Topping around
from one party to another IS not to be
trusted
How do you account for this in.
creasing lack OF partisan feellng?" ask
ed Judge Sawyer, addressing Colonel
Monroe
There are no clearly defined political
issues and have not been in recent
campaigns" answered Colonel Monroe
1T IS no longer possible FOR an iuteIll-
gent man to give cogenr asons for
allegiance to either 81 the leading par
ties Our elections are decided by ap-
peals TO the commercial instinct OF the
community or nation and By the per
sonal popularity Of the respective can
dldates Great principles u abstract
justice are no longer involved 10 po-
llttcal campaigns It IS impossible 70
name an issue which fairly divides
Republicans and Democrats. The tar
Ia question comes a. near a. any 10
forming such an issue, and yet each
party contains In It's rauhs men Of
all shades % belief on the subject Of
tariff regulation"
How about the trusts" suggested
Judge sawyer. Are there not ind
cations that party lines will lie draw
On the question Of the regulation or
suppression Of these monopoIies ?"
Not the slightest Indication" was
he prompt reply Both platforms
VII assert that the trusts must and
shall be suppressed. but neither viii
Contain rational suggestions IS 70 how
This suppression Is - be brought about.
The 20 called trusts are within the do
uHtu n business and commerce aud
uyI-ru bushes men 10 act aagAv
politicians TO seriously interfere Ia
their affairs. DO yon suppose for one
moment hat Ii Is possible 10 utilize
the machinery " either party 70 elect
and install an administration seriously
IL. . "a
combines which arc commonly classed
as frusts:
There certainly ia strong popular
sentiment ia favor Of some move
AGAINST these combinations. asserted
Judge Sawyer
Il don't believe H." declared Colonel
Monroe. There is a lively public Gu.
riDslty as 70 what Will develop from
the present trust form III Industry but
the people are as much In The dark and
as little inclined 10 make radical
move against he trusts AZ the present
time as are the politicians The peo
pie don't Ike trusts. neither DO they
like cyclones or drDughts and they are
as powerless 10 suggest remedies foi
the latter q for the former The bus
ness interests viii select the canIt
dates. their representatives. Will write
both platforms. and the people wil
make their choice The task Of consol
dating Industries and eliminating com
petition will continue the same afte
election as before The trust IL an *
sue. but the time has not come when !
can be made political one II is Al
economic problem In process 81 eyoiu
ton. Political parties can neither has
ten nor retard the processes Of eyolu
ton. II Is their province to cnrry I'M
effect the results OF evolution, and tn
trust Il not yet q finished product"