The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1904-02-06
TELL Us WHYy

In placing one of the convention
at Pocatello and the other at Mos
cow, the committee did wisely, AM
it also was we'll within it's PROVING
in endorsing Hepburn and Frencl
for sustaining the committee in it
federal appointment recomenda
tons. Those gentlemen as wei
as members of the committee, hac
been viciously and unjustly attack
ed on that score, and an expression
from the committee in session wa.
timely and proper. But when thu
committee proceeded to promulgate
a platform, 1t transcribed its legiti
mate functions and arrogated to it.
self powers which belong to the
highest party councils. The pres,
ent committee is the creature of a
convention held upwards of 8 mon.
tbs ago, now practically defunct.
1thas no authority except such as
was delegated to it by that conven-
ton. Specifically, the committee
was, by that convention, entrusted
with the business of conducting the
campaign of 1902, and when it had
finished that business, it had moth
Ing more to do, as an organization,
but provide for holding the conven-
tons which it has called, winding
up its own affairs, and modestlv
aWainting the plaudits of the next
convention for the able and success
full manner in which it had discharg-
ed Its labors.
The committee, however, seems
to have strangely Inexperienced
distinctions, and attempted to exer-
else the powers of a convention of
delegates regularly and freshly
chosen from the people. It seems
to have forgotten that it was in no
sense body representative of liv-
Ing Issues or living constituency.
1ndeed, it never had constituency.
1t is simply the instrument created
BY the convention of 1902 to carry
out the purposes of that convention,
and that convention had no authori.
ty except such as was delegated to
It In tue primary elections held
nearly two years ago. Therefore,
when the convention of 1902 had
met and performed its functions, a.
mong which was the selection of a |
committee to carry out the con-
ventlon program, it exhausted its
powers and expired; so when the
committee had carried out the
business entrusted to it by that con-
vention' it became fumctms oRfcio.
but' unfortunately, the Committee
Jailed to comprehend its limitations,
and undertook to absolutely fore
stall the Pocatello convention be-
'ore 1t was called and also to largely
anticipate the Moscow convention
The action of the committee in
'versteaping itself to endorse the
Administration might
AVE been charged to thouehtless
ind overweight enthusiasm, had
ne committee been carried to q
oglcal conclusion and likewise en-
Iorsed the State administration
SUIT by purposely retaining from {
ndorsing the State administration 8
ne committee left no room for 7
Inspecting a patriotic infatuation 8
is quite clear that it deliberately
vent beyond its authority, not to |
xpress admiration of the National
but to indicate CON-
emnation of the State administra- r
ION.
1t is useless to try to smooth over Z
r belittle the intention and the $
ction of the State committee, Its $
latform in respect of the thing it c
oes not say as well as in respect of G
lie things 1t does say, will 90 forth z
an expression of party sentiment il
I'D It was the purpose of the COM b
itttee to clothe it with that authori- e
!. It was intended that it should II
} out over the State and the ma y
IN that the Republican party of A
lahos through its State committee. s,
d officially condemned the Repub- D
.0s1 Skasx. :.