The Teton peak. [volume] (St. Anthony, Idaho) 1899-1904, 1904-05-05

Editor Teton Peak
St. Anthony Idaho.
Dc ar Sir
While the article contained in
yo III last issue is written by such an
un scrupulous person under the
Use of the name Of Two Hundred
and Sixteen as to he unworthy the
dtice of respectable people, yet,
fot fear that your honorable readers
may not be conversant with the
situation and may take what is said
therein to be the truth, I desire to
briefly answer the same, feeling
sure that YOU will consent to few
lines III defense of the accused.
AS to Mr.. Wallis, l desire to say
that his record ever since he has
been in Rexburg has been one Of
energy, thrift, determination for
the right, ever willing to lend a
helping hand i'll every move under
taken for the public good, and l am
willing and ready to recommend
Him as a most desirable citizen i'll
any community. AS to the I'm
Warranted attack iii question l
lnhesitatingly assert that it has
dome from an element that is con-
atantly opposing the good govern
1nent of our town and inspired by
jealousy, spite and feelings of bitter
revenge from some sneaking coward
who dare not come out III the open
Sunlight and tell the people who
he is.
As to myself l claim no such
qualifications as do for my friend
Mr.. Wallis. freely acknowledge
nv weaknesses and only wish |
was better man. ! must say,
I|however, that | feel much gratifed
to note that MY antagonist had to so
back for a period of eight years to
find something to attack me about.
Judge from the spirit of his letter
he certainly would have been only
too pleased TO have referred tC
something more recent if he could
l have found such against me, but
replying to this far-fetched attack
have only to say that had my entire
: party been present and saw what
T did, they would have followed the
same policy, as is very plainly
t manifest at the last state election
which. if it indicates anything a
ali, it indicates that | was simply
T six years ahead of the times ane
! my party acknowledged it by
4 unanimously insisting that l accep
i the nomination for the same posi-
I ton at the last election which wa
= six years later.
As to my right to support Mr.
Y Wallis for the office OF Cit,
't Attorney for Rexburg, or any othe
p man OF woman for any other posi-
+ ton of public trust within tn
J. United States, the State OF Idaho
70 Fremont County or the City of Rex
pts burg, | claim the right to be heard
"a on the grounds that became full
fedged American citizen when onl
y a small boy, permanent resldei
of Idaho before | attained m
y majority and have spent my entir
strength of manhood i'll its develop
ment, l helped fence the first hel
q in Rexburg, as we'll as to build II
n first houses, dig its first waite
bitches, teach its first school, VIZ
its first postmaster; came here
l., live. work and die among this PEE
pie, and when l am criticised fo
u expressing my wish with regards
=. its interest I resist the interferent
as coming from narrow, pr
iudiced, and an American despo
H. Whether l hold the position
Tom Basset the Democrat,
i Thomas f. Basset, President
.r Fremont Stake, l hope to be bro;
n minded enough to sacrifice my life
ed blood, if need be, in giving to eve
hn law abiding American citizen tn
ON most glorious privilege. "Tl
of right to voice in the governme
of our Free and Glorious Republic
in and l expect to exercise this rig
II notwithstanding any ecclesiastic
ed position l may be honored with.
n, Not wishing to monopolize yo
for valuable space will close. Than
a ing you i'll advance for this
,ed trusion, | am
Very truly yours,
Thomas E. Bass'
the