The Idaho recorder. [volume] (Salmon City, Idaho) 1886-1927, 1907-01-17

and his adherents.
"The grossest Misrepresentation
have gone abroad concerning the
present status of the Mormon church,
and its individual and collective men,
bership, and because of those malici-
Gus and persistent Misrepresentation
the Mormon church, the republican
party and the state OF Idaho have suf-
fered unjustly and immeasurably
thereby, but contend that the re-
election Of Mr.. Hunt at this time as
speaker oil the house will not only In
tensify feeling that has gained cur
rency against the Mormon church,
against the republican party OF Idaho
and against the state, but this act, II
consummated, will In my candid judg-
ment, not only bury so deep the par
ties the forces who have been instru-
mental In bringing IL about, and they
must not expect to hide themselves
nor evade the responsibility, will bury
them, l say, so deep, politically, that
no trumpet can sound loud enough to
resurrect them or enliyen their blunt
ness and preyerse sensibilities.
"In addition thereto, the republi-
can party of Idaho win become so
thoroughly disrupted that peans OF
praise will ring out from every demo-
cratic hearthstone In Idaho for years
and years to come. | know whereof !
speak. The momentum against ring
rule In so many other states viii OF
necessity reach our own common
wealth and all the more quickly be-
cause Of this unwlse and unfair ac-
tion, but not until defeat has been
encountered. No one In this presence
questions for single moment the
ability, the fairness, the integrity OF
Frank Hunt, but, gentlemen, it's not
personal question OF personality or
OF fitness: it's a question OF political
propriety, OF political sagacity, OF po-
litical diplomacy, of political COM
mon sense.
II have been told more than once
by the most intimate friends OF Mr..
Hunt that his candidacy was forced
upon him, that he did not desire IT,.
Now, In the name Of heaven, who are
the parties and what are the forces
that have brought abont this un-
wholesome state Of affairs? Ii the
northern counties have come down
here with their various candidates
and with divided delegations to hasten
to some headquarters or some hind
quarters. TO bew allegiance 10 power
or influence, confessing by such an
act, that. in their Judgment. neither
In the northern part nor In any other
portion of the state can there be
found any member-eleet worthy OF
the position. and that the nomina.
tion OF and election Of Mr.. Hunt for a
third time Is altogether expedient
and for the highest and best interests
Of the republican party. can not
but express my sympathies for you
and for the republican party; but ]
can not believe that IL is or can be
true.
"In conclusion, permit me TO say
that | alone am wholly responsible for
J the words have uttered, as no col
league, and no friend, has been taker
into my confidence, but ! assure you
gentlemen, that while ! deplore tbs
conditions which have compelled ms
, To take this position, In facing IL
would rather stand here tonight. sol
itary and alone, II necessary, and ute
these words from the depth OF a sin
oere heart, than TO accept any polit
ical position. In the power Of any man
: or number Of men, Ia beStow.
: have been educated In the school o
: politics which taught that party sue
cess is infinitely above and beyond IL
! value any mans ambition, and that
one insists on advancing his own In
e terests, 20 the detriment Of the In
I terests Of the party, he is unworthy {
e that party's support. Rest assureC
Z gentlemen, that ] shall perform moe
e cheerfully, my whole duty In n
Legislature, no matter in how bun
: bic a capacity, and continue n
i fealty to the republican party, an
= will serve notice, here and now, tn;
; any attempts 10 read me out Of Il
J. party will most signally fail-a par
o to which / swore allegiance befo
, many Of yoH were born. In casting n
+ first vote for Abraham Lincoln"
], In confidence, and when not in Il
It reach Of the party lash, the Cent
D republicans express themselves as co
D, curing In the views OF Willard Whit
4 a