Lewiston inter-state news. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1905-1906, 1905-08-04
TEMPEST IN 4 TEAPOT
over CARBLED DISPATCH
Mr.. Johnson's Opponents and Mr.. Stillinger's
Friends MisIed by Lewiston Press Report
of Attorney Ruick's Interview.

Last Thursday night meeting Of the
committeeman OF the Republican party
was held in Lewiston and the appoint
ment of Mr.. johnson was scored.
A dispatch to Spokane telling Of the
meeting says 1t was the intention Of the
members to take the matter to the
president and II possible implicate Sem
ator Hepburn, whom 1t Is claimed, is
stockholder in the Commercial Trust
company. which is said to have lots of
timber in Northern Idaho and that
Johnson is the attorney for this COM
pany and his appointment was made
through the influence of Senator Hey
burn to protect his interests. The dis
patch also said that an effort would
be made to prove that Senator Hey
burn was trying to injure the Lewis
| ton National bank. whose officials have
been indicted.
Senator Hepburn was seen and de-
clared that II the visit Of Mr. West was
for that purpose he did not know It.
The senator also characterized the
story printed in Spokane about the
contest and the charges against him
as child's play but said he preferred
not to go into print about the mat
| ter.
Later, however, he said that his
| and that Mr.. Johnson was named
through the influence of United States
| Attorney Ruick. The senator declared
that Mr.. Ruick had asked him what
| he thought of Johnson and he had re-
piled that as the man was to assist
Ruick, anyone satisfactory to Ruick
would be all right. Senator Hepburn
= said that in such matters where the
! appointment had to be practically a
E! confidential clerk he did not wish to
! interfere.
| Whatever the real facts are In the
case. 1t is certain that there il "a fac
tional fight on in the republican ranks
in this state of large proportions, and
| that Senator Hepburn is having the
| hardest job of his life In halfway
satisfying his constituency.
There is further rumor that Chair
man Stearns has been importuned to
call the central committee together and
draft a formal protest in behalf of the
county organiza ton whose retommen-
dation has been totally ignored. Mr..
Stearns reached the city this. morning
but has nothing to say concerning the
pending meeting but such development
is more than probable. Meanwhile Mr.,
rect from theNAttorney General of the
United States. having duly qualified,
sits complacently in his office and
awaits developments, believing that no
charges can be lodged against him that
will be sufficient to oust him from
office.
No Fear Of Persecution.
u. s. Attorney Ruick, interviewed by
the Boise Capital News relative to the
, appointment. said:
"The need of an assistant was APP
= parent when first went into office and
l made the application at the time.
was informed that there was no appro-
priation then for the payment Of ar
assistant. and the matter had to he de,
ferred until the beginning Of the pre-.
> sent fiscal year.
"Mr. johnson made an excellent re.
. cord as prosecuting attorney OF Ne,
Perce county during the four year.
0 that he filled that position, and have
no doubt ne will prove avery valuable
q assistant. His appointment will huv'
no bearing on the prosecution of tn,
land fraud cases. and no one who ha
been indicted on these charges nee,
: fear that II will affect them. or that /
means any persecution on the part o
the government.
Prom present advices from the de
: partment Of justice. ! will have entir
charge of the land cases. At least tn
$ intimation Is made that. unless shoul
n find that the work will be such that
need assistance. no one will be sen
: here from the outside TO aid me In thes
n prosecutions. The cases will be calle
n al the term beginning at Moscow on tn
: third Monday in October. but whethe
n the trials will be had at that time q
n not. II is impossible to say so far I
advance"
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