The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-06-27
A Party Upheaval.


ton at its disposal is the promise of the evidence
that is being given to the public through the
papers as the days go by.
The republican party of Idaho was divided before
the old issue of polygamy and church control in
government it became dspirited the action of
the national convention at Chicago and the removal
of Attorney Ruick and Marshal Rounds and the ap-
pointment of c. H. Lingenfelter to succeed Mr.
Ruick has produced sharp line of cleavage between
the machine and the faction that opposes the ma
chine.
From these causes the growth of nsurgent repub-
canism is likely to be rapid and numerously sup
ported in Idaho possibly finally to crystalline under
the name of progressive republcanism, representing
an organization that has produced upheavel in
many of the states of the west.
The republican party in Idaho, viewing with keen
appreciation the onslaught of the national administra-
ton upon corporate and individual law-breakers and
prepared to contribute its moral support to the
former, is astounded at the sudden turn in affairs
whereby the prosecutor has been made maefactor
and the defender of malefactors a prosecutor.
1t realizes that in way the administration has
been made party to a paabe miscarriage of justice
and republicansm outside the machine is not so deep
ly stepped in p partisanshp to quietly accept the
issue as it is submitted for its acceptance.
1t may be that of the protests from republl-
cans are based exaggerat1on that political
ambition may in instances inspire unjust
charges but it will probably be found that protests
are based upon real causes and that the judgment
that is now somewhat inhamed will justify itself in
the end
The Scmitar presents in connection with this view
of the situation developments that emanate
from Lewiston and were given out for publica-
ton by newspaper correspondents in that city. One
communication, bearing the date of June H. says:
c.. W. Thompson a prominent wheel horse of the
of the republican party, out today in oppos-
ton to the confirmation of the nomination as United
States district attorney of C. H. Lngenfelter, and
declares that he will furnish direct and positive proof
that Lingenfelter retained attorney by
Kester and Kettenbach Thompson turns on Sena-
tor Borah, whom he supported in his fight tor
senatorial honors, declaring that he is determined
that President Roosevelt shall be told what Thomp-
son claims to know, matter how much senatorial
opposition he may meet with
Thompson today:
81 do not as usual thing care to discuss matters
of this kind in the public press but it seems to me
that it is we'll to make statement OF the facts L
made protest against Mr.. Lingenfeter's appoint
ment because believe him to be unfit for the office
and disqualified by of the fact that he accept
ed fee in defense of Kester and KettenbaCh
have absolute and positive proof of this, in writing,
and will that it reaches the authorities at
Washington. [ do not know who has Endorsed Mr..
Lngenfe1ter but I take it from dispatches
that Senator Borah is responsible for the appoint
ment.
"It has caused some surprise when Borah named
the man and [ wish to state that believe Borah
in no position district attorney for Idaho
as many of his friends and former clients under
Indictment or conviction, and in naming their prose
cutor he Immediately lays himself open to censure
especially by appointing Mr.. Lingefelter who at one
time retained counsel to defend Kester and
I take this position:
1.-THE government has been prosecuting fraud, not
only in Idaho, but in other places and the honest
American citizens stand back of the administration,
pleased that these graers being brought to bay