The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1906-12-29
INDEPENDENTS POSITION.

The Tribune, an editorial which eau
toned Republicans against opposing
Hon. j. Frank Hunt for speaker
simply because he was a Mormon
The Payette Independent immediate.
ly assumed that The Tribune was
aiming at it. Nothing was farther
from our purpose. The Independent
in its last issue, denies most en-
phatically that it is opposing Mr.
Hunt, because he Is a Mormon. The
Independent opposes Mr.. Hunt for
other reasons, which do not concern
us In particular, because we are not
Mr.. Hunts champions. If Mr.. Hunt
be incompetent, neglectful, dishon-
est or corrupt, that is different
question. We do not attempt to
apologize for, excuse or defend him.
There are two questions raised by
the Independent, which demand at
tention. The first Is that two men,
bers of the legislature were defeated
on account of the Mormon question.
We would ask the Independent to be
little more definite. We would
ask for an explanation. Surely the
Independent does not argue that be-
cause some people are deceived by
fictitious issues, that the Republican
party should take the matter up. We
do not believe that the Republican
party is simply after votes. We do
not believe that the Republican par
ty is engaged in what the Indepen-
dent calls peanut politics" The
Issue is there or 1t is not. II, in
the opinion of the Independent,
there 10 a Mormon issue in Canyon
county. all well and good, we are
willing to discuss that proposition.
Otherwise we cannot see the propri-
ETY. of the independents position at
the present time.
The other Is the necessity for
more legislation against the crimes
of polygamy. adultery. and unlawful
cohabitation. Again we are not de-
Tending Mr.. Hunt. but we would call
attention to the fact that during the
campaign Hon. w. e. Borah stated
again and again, that If the Demo-
Gratis would file the charge. that he
would find the law, the court and
finally the penitentiary. In Mr.. Boz
rah's judgement the law is sufficient.
The Tribune may be excused for talk
ing Mr.. Borah's word, against the
Independents. Mr.. Borah is consid-
cred very good lawyer. But for
fear that the Independent may carry
more weight than Mr.. Borah, we APP
pend a portion of the speech deliv-
cred by Senator w. B. Hepburn, at
the Columbia theatre, Sept. IA,
1906. Mr.. Hepburn enjoys the rep
utation of being a very good lawyer.
The provision of the constitution
reads thus: mo person is permit
ted to vote, serve as a juror, or hold
any civil Office who Is under guar
dianship. idiotic or insane: or who
has. at any place, been convicted of
treason, felony, embezzlement of the
public funds. bartering or selling, or
Offering to barter or sell, his vote,
or purchasing or Offering to pur-
chase the vote of another, or other
Infamous crime, and who has not
been restored to the rights OF citi-
zenship, or who, at the time of such
election, is confined In prison or con-
viction of criminal offense; or who
is a bigamist or polygamist, or is
living in what Is known as patri-
archial, plural or celestial marriage,
or in violation of any law of this
state. or of the United States forbid
ding any such crime, or who in any
manner teaches. advises. counsels,
aids or encourages any person to en-
ter into bigamy. polygamy, or such
patriarchal, plural or celestial mar
riage, or to live in violation of any
such law, or to commit any such
crime; or who is member of or
contributes to the support, aid or en-
couragement Of any order, organiza-
ton. association, corporation or So
ciety which teaches, advises. coun-
sells. encourages or aids any person
30 enter into bigamy, polygamy or
such patriarchal or plural marriage,
or which teaches or advises that the |
laws OF this state prescribing rules |
Of civil conduct are not the supreme |
law Of the state;" thus. so far, the |
rest of 1t applies to the Chinese and |
Indians. That is the constitution,
that Is higher law than any statute.
they repealed what ia known as the
Test Oath law In 1895 by a vote
lacking one Of being unanimous in
he legislature OF this state. / OPP
posed the repeal of that law. That
Is ancient history. The legislature.
without regard to party lines. re-
pealed the statute on that subject.
they needed No sfafufa tho naroti