Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-06-28
OPPOSES CONVENTION NOM
NATION FOR SENATOR
Senator Hepburn Believes the Legislature Would
Be More Apt to Garry Out the Wishes
of the Republican Party

ally and politically and they have the
Qualifica tons necessary to fill the po-
sition of governor, but the same might
be said of number of republicans in
Idaho, and as time rolls on we will
! have occasion to consider the claims
! of these men, but as We can select
but one at time their claims should
| be deferred
1t appears that a determined effort
! will be made on the part of an ele-
ment Of the party in Idaho to inject
into the coming campaign the question
of the nomination of candidate for
the United States senate at the state
convention.
Opposes Convention Nomination.
Regarding this matter the senator
said:
Yes, but this question has been
\ raised and met heretofore in Idaho,
notably in the convention of 1894,
when it was voted down. l took
firm stand against such a procedure
by the convention at that time, and on
all other occasions when it has been
discussed. 1t must be obvious to those
who will give the matter their earnest
consideration that unless the primar-
les are held under conditions which
would enable only republicans to vote,
and at which full vote would be
cast; and until the county conven-
tions are held under legal provisions
as to the regularity of their proceed
. inpS ha OF a ~ convention would
resent nothing more than political lax
ity in the primaries or county conven-
tions 1t would also be obvious that
the ordinary methods of electing dele
gates to the county conventions are
imperfect and the delegates elected do
not represent in a full degree the SEN
timent Of the party as to the political
action to be taken by the convention.
While the legislature may take ample
time to determine it's duties in the
manner Of electing a senator, conven-
tons generally do their entire work in
day, or two at the most. and the
trading and combining of nominees
for the various state and district Of
fees, and the determining Of party
platforms, it would have but little
time for considering the important
duty Of selecting a candidate for the
United States senate
Responsibility on Legislature.
Then again. legislatures are gov
erned by laws in the performance OF
their duties for the violation of which
adequate punishment is provided, but
what law could be made for the pun
ishment Of member Of political
convention for the sale or trade of his
; vote on a question Of this kind? Con-
ventions are not responsible bodies
; under the law and have no recognized
responsibility as part OF the machin-
cry of the government.
The responsible vote OF the people
at legal election with the full knowl.
edge that the members Of the legisla.
lures to be elected will elect sena
tor. comes much nearer the election
of senator by the vote OF the peopl,
than the selection of a senator by /
political convention not composed o
members elected at all by pursuance
Of any law. but selected in an entirel.
informal manner responsible to nj
one under any law.
u Change Let II Be Legal.
III the people OF the United State
really want to change the method o
electing senator as 1t Is provided Il
the constitution, let It be done in
legal way and not by circumventio
or indirection. II the party il to ex
press preference for the guidance Q
assistance OF the legislature then let
primary law be passed that shall re
suit in the deliberate casting Of tn
vote at the primary under stric
guarantee AZ to the integrity Of tn
election. and also law governing tn
convention which shall insure delhi
GRAFTON and individual legal responsi
bility ON the part Of the members {
the convention. It would result doubt
less In protracted meetings Of the con
= ventions. possibly equaliing in dura
: tion the sessions Of the legislatur
and ~ frequently In deadlocks.
y II am strongly opposed to the con
vention attempting to usurp one {
i the important functions OF the legisla
ture reposed in It by the constitutio
OF our country, and do not believe thu
the republicans OF Idaho can be In
duced to authorize It to do TO-"
DO you expect to return to Idah
after the adjournment Of congress
the senator was asked.
Will Take Part in Campaign.
After q few days further rest
regain my strength. which II sti
somewhat below par. shall retuI
directly to Idaho. and remain ther
Visiting different parts Of the sta
- and participating In the campaign tn
fall. Ny energies shall be devoted
the success OF the republican party
the state and hope to be able TO q,
: a full measure Of my time to that pu
: pose.~