The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1906-12-27
SOME BRAIN leaks /!
A few Nels PefUhte thrMgh the Bran
Of the Editor while in q SOmnamhu-
hStk State.

| Ing Tor primary Ia" lH bbe'i Pi"'
form last fall 1t Is said that when
the resolution In the republican plat
form was presented to the conVen-
lon 1t was for a direct primary, hut
through the shrewd manipulations OF
the committee the word "direct"
was surreptitously omitted. Senator
Hepburn has prepared long article
opposing the direct primary law,
which is being published in every re
publican paper IN the state which has
the space to devote to this purpose.
No doubt II the matter was gone into
very deeply OF the later draft OF the
resolution IL would be found that the
fine work OF the senator would be
found In evidence.
We have not had the time nor In
clination To wade through the article
from the pen OF Senator Hepburn,
but In cuasuary glance we should
Judge that direct primary law for
Idaho would sound the death knell Of
his political aspirations for the
future. And 1t would seem that Sen
ator Hepburn realizes this fact,
which Is no doubt largely responsible
for his en- phatic opposition to such a
law. 1t Is understood that the OBJ
ject OF direct primary law is to
overcome the machinations Of boss,
who represents the corporations In
place Of the people. The senator
says, In substance, that direct pri-
mary law would result In the defeat
OF the republican party. II he
means the republican party, in the
sense that 1t will defeat him for re-
election lie Is no doubt correct In his
predictions. 1t Is clear that when
Heybpurn's term expires that either
Cooling or Brady will be candidates,
with the chances OF the latter carry
Ing of the persimmons.
-.
The fact that Brady did not make
an aggressive fight for the endorse
ment OF the republican convention
last fall Is prima facia evidence that
the Cooling machine has 1t down on
the cards to side-track Hepburn,
when his term expires and try to
carry the legislature for Brady. Hey.
burn Is not so obtuse that he Is not
aware OF this fact. A direct primary
law would no doubt defeat both
Brady or Gooding. Ten to one
Hepburn stands better with the
masses OF the people, and would no
doubt be elected were 1t left to the
republican votes of the state. Espe-
cially would this be true II Brady or
Gooding we're his opponents. In all
the states which now have an eff
'active primary law 1t was secured by
popuiar dpmapd and was bitterly
fouallo nv ~ pplitical machines and
The a lou
The Recc1 baliexes that a prl.
mary law WIN hot be passed by the
legislature this winter which, will In
any manner carry out the intent or
understanding OF those who voted
the republican ticket lastsfall. No
doubt there will be svereaf hilia sti-
troduced which are honestly pre@
sented, believing that they will cor
rect the existing evils. But il Is
safe to say that these bills will either
die a bornin, die In the committee
room or else get into the hands OF
the sorting committee. The Good.
Ing machine will see that no primary
legislation Is enacted into law which
will have u tendency to curb their
political inilsence or control OF the
republican party In the state. We
viii have primary legislation, no
doubt, but so far as meeting the re.
Quirenents, or the understanding of
the platform will not be worth the
paper u Is written upon. The Good
log machine will see that J. Frank
Hunt Is the speaker OF the house,
and be will be the tool OF his masters
and see that no legislation Is passed
that will In any manner curtail one
iota OF their present political inhu-
enee.
-
In recent interview a prominent
railroad man made the statement
that the tine was past when pro-
moter could secure tho ht-of-way,
make a preliminary survey aud in
duce capital to invest In PROPOSE
tiGn OF this nature. He said that
what railroad building was done In
the future would be by the great cor.
porations which are engaged In these
enterprises. IL would be extensions,
and feeders OF the present trunk
systems. In one way this would be
benefit TO the country, and In an.
other Il will be a detriment
-.
The railway systems OF the country
are getting into the bands Of A very
few men. In order to slide con peti.
tion, and pile up greater dividends
they parcel out the eonntyv ,,,,.