The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-10-03

the understood promise of the republican convention
and primary election legislation was secured
Thus strengthened in its position through per-
hdous conspiracy against the will of the people, the
republican machine able to command the silence
of the republican convention of 1908 on the para
mount issue, and the senatorial candidate endorsed
by the same convention has taken the stump in open
opposition to that issue
His colleague is also interesting the Idaho public
as a campaign orator. Wherever Senator Borah
speaks he declares his featy to Senator Hepburn,
who opposes primary law and loudly demands the
enactment of primary law
The paramount issue is the primary law 1t is
superior to the candidacy of Senator Hepburn Yet
the two in conflict If either is defeated under
the combination, it will be the hoped for primary
election legislation, for the entire machine is united
in Senator Heyburn's behalf and is divided on the
chief issue
Even Senator Borah's proclaimed loyalty to the
primary is tnctured with elements that beget sus-
picion In a speech delivered at Nampa last Satur-
day he said that leaving resolution in regard to
the direct primary of the platform was wise
and best explaining that the omission of the plank
made it matter of discussion. He then declared:
Idaho does not want anything like the politics of
Oregon, either under direct primary not. No
body in this state would be in favor of inserting
such provisions as exist in Oregon and Illinois,
Senator Fulton did not want such provisions
neither did Senator Hopkins. Senator Ankeny was
opposed to them. No who depends on money
corruption for political preferment wants them.
Yet the people of Oregon and Illinois wanted them,
else they would not have enacted them.
Mr.. Borah does not speak for the people of Idaho
when he says nobody in this state would be in
favor of inserting such provisions exist in Oregon
and illinois," The Scimitar could, with sufficient
time for the performance of the physical work. pre-
list of thousands of republicans and democrats
of Idaho who want the provisions of the Oregon and
Illinois primary election laws.
A convention of the democrats of Idaho in session
at Wallace within the past two months, declared in
its platform:
We favor the enactment by our legislature of
primary election law whereby candidates for office
shall be nominated by direct vote of the people and
pledge legislative candidates, in the event of
their election, to work for the passage of law
similar to the Oregon primary election law, nclud-
ing statement number
Upon the fact of the evidence it appears that some
body does want such law, though it may
not be satisfactory to the republican machine.
Mr.. Borah further explained that opposition to a
primary law from the fact that Sin other states
it has proved peculiarly remarkable failure" Ever
damning it with faint praise
Taking all circumstances and experiences into con-
sderation, it is legitimate conclusion that the re-
publican organization of Idaho does not intend to
give the people practicable primary election law
that will destroy the caucus and the convention
and place the nominating power irrevocably in the
hands of the voters.
1t intends to lead them along in fanced security
and betray them again next winter, as it betrayed
them two years ago, at the instance of senator who
treachery and is receiving the support of his or
ganiZation associates