The Coeur d'Alene press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1892-1907, 1904-02-20
PUBLISHER COBB SPEAKS
TALKS OF A MORMON TRADE
The Owner Of the Idaho Statesman Gives
His side of the Visit of Committee
of the state Central COmmittee-A
Blufr That Failed.

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corning an alleged disagreement be-
tween the republican state central
committee and Proprietor Cobb OF
the Boise Statesman, Mr.. Cobb says
1.-The article is tissue OF false
hoods. 1t misrepresents the attitude
of the Statesman, it misrepresents my
personal position and it misrepresents
what occurred at the time Of the meet
ing of the republican state committee
in a conference between me and a
subcommittee of the state committee.
1T should be stated in the first
place, that | did not appear before
the state committee, or any other
committee. The state committee
appointed a subcommittee to wait on
me to discuss the policy of the States
man. That subcommittee was com
posed of Frank +. Gooding, chairman
Of the state committee; Charles L.
Hoffman and Wayne Darlington. A
messenger was sent to me asking ME
il | would meet the committee. |
replied would not meet any com
mittee Of which Mr.. Gooding was a
member When my determination
had been reported to the state com
mittee, that body removed Mr., Good
ing from the subcommittee, substitute
ing &. W. Thompson for him.
subsequently this subcommittee
waited on me and discussed the policy
matters. was asked Why the States
man opposed the nomination Of H. S.
WoOlley to be assayer in charge Of the
United States assay Office here. In
response l explained all that had
occurred in connection with the change
in that Office. told the committee
that Senator Hey burn had promised
to retain Mr.. Cunningham in the
place during the term; that similar
promises had been made by National
Committeeman Standrod and Chair
man Gooding
Further, 1 explained that Senator
Hepburn had written Mr. Cunning
ham stating he should not be disturb
ed Mr.. Cunningham was ar
especially efficient official aud had
won the confidence of the mining
community, with the result that the
business of the office has grown tc
very large proportions. asked fol
his retention both as a matter OF
public and party policy and because
be was my personal friend.
after few months it was rumored
that an arrangement had been made
to appoint Mr.. Woolley, but
thought it could not be possible, il
view Of the unqualified promises
made by Senator Hepburn.
Proceeding, 1 explained to the
committee that, nevertheless, Mr..
WoOlley was recommended and ar.
pointed in pursuance Of an agreement
made at the time Of the senatorial
election This agreement was in the
nature of trade with the Mormon
church. or with persons protesting Ia
represent the church. further ex
planned that, outside of the bad faith
displayed in the matter, Mr.. WooIley
was not suitable man for the posi-
zion in my judgment. subsequently,.
certain charges against Mr. Woolley
we're investigated by a secret service
agent; it was my understanding that
the charge had been sustained, and il
the president has been made to believe
Mr.. Woolley was fit man there must
have been some false showing made in
the interest Of the candidate for which
1 held his special supporters re-
sponsible, their action being in the
nature Of deception Of the president
II never at any time had any cen
nldate TO succeed Mr. Cunningham
and never thought Of suggesting snv
one for the place / did not claim
the right to name the assayer. but in
talking with the committee I did say
that, in view Of the services Of the
Statesman to the party. and in view
OF the further fact that the Statesman
had not asked for the appointment Of
any individual to any position what.
ever, 1t would probably be conceded
that 1t would not have been unreasou-
able If I had asked for the apnoint
ment Of some friend to the position
Of assayer, to succeed Mr.. CUNNING
ham.
81 did not state to this committs.
or to anybody else that the pspsr
would not under any circumstance
oppose the republican ticket. What
l did say was that the Statesman
always would support republican
principles and would give its support
to the republican ticket when the
ticket was clean. let the suboon.
mittee understand very plainly that
the paper and those connected With
Its managemet we're republicans.
The charge that the Statesman ia
silent with respect to the adnipis4r.