Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-10-29
MONDAY, OCTOBER 2e, 1906.
PARTY's DUTY TO LANsDoN.

The vote on secretary of state should
demonstrate to the world the con-
demnation voiced by Idaho voters of
the dirty methods Used by politicians
In the present campaign. On this
ONCE the voters should unite and
speak their disapproval Of personal
attacks on mans character for the
sole purpose Of gaining votes.
Robert Lansdon. the republican
candidate for the Office Of secretary OF
state is, perhaps. the most popular
man in Washington county. For
number of years he Ina. enjoyed the
respect and confidence of his neigh
bors. He has been given repeated
honors at the hands Of the people Of
his county.
Inc charge now brought by the
political opponents OF Lansdon ia that
some two years ago he embezzled $40
OF the county's money. Since that
time he has SO lived among his neigh.
Dors that they have regarded him as
worthy to fill the Office of sheriff. He
mas 80 conducted himself that the
Washington county convention chose
him as the one man from their county
Tor whom they would ask a state
ofhce. The confidence of the people
m him was SO great that he exerted
. greater influence than any other
man in the Washington county con-
vention.
Do any of the voters of the state
believe that a man of this tvne rob-
bed the county Of the paltry sum Of
$40? Do they believe that he would
commit one offense two years ago and
NOT nave repeated 1t? Do they charge
irregularities In his official conduct |
curing any other time of his public |
career?
IS simply a case of disreputable |
methods in politics For the, sake Of |
political Office. mis- enemies are will.
ing to go so far as to try and brand
him thief. because they have found
on his books something that on the
face of it looks irregular. No one who
knows Lansdon personally or has
watched his career believes he is
guilty Of criminal act. Many do be-
iieve an irregularity may exist in an
Item in the books. Many would ex-
pect more than one mistake might
have crept inthis work in the mast
four years.
There has been too much personal
defamation in politics In recent wears.
We have had here in our own county
too much of it. Personal attacks are
being made upon men up for political
office who have been regarded as our
foremost citizens until they became
politically prominent No one believes
the accusations. 1t is time for the
people to protest against such meth
DDS. Let the vote on the secretary of
state show it. Lansdbn has proven
himself man. He refused at first to
consider seriously the charges made
against him. He refused for awhile
to even be called home from his cam +
paign on account of them. He refused
TO withdraw from the ticket until he
could have a hearing. and demanded
that the hearing be immediate. When
ne FOUND the conditions made his posi-
ton compromising he at once mani.
tested his allegiance I'd the party by :
sffering to shoulder the load himself
and rid the party Of the burden
brought on by unfortunate circum-
stances. He found this could not he
done. He has done all he could. and
has been at all times eager for a hear
ing. open and fair. awaiting the out :
come of just trial. Now he must re-
main on the ticket he calls upon the
voters for support He pledges them
that ne will clear himself of the char .
yes against him. and states that he a
would not ask their suffrage until en-
nreIy cleared II he was able to with
Maw.
The republicans of Idaho now owe C
Lansdon an obligation In return The {
republican majority in the state IL
Let every republican :
10 matter whom he may have thought n
10 sacrifice remain true to the candi- o
late for secretary of state. Let the v
,old republican vote OF the state be .
IFS, and let this overwhelming ma =
ority say to the democratic political s