Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-03-17
THE ISSUE.

United States District Attorney
Ruick Is to become the victim of
President Rooseyelt's big stick, If re-
ports are to be credited from Wash
ington. Ruick has been very active
In prosecuting timber frauds and his
earnestness may have led him into
indiscretions, but his removal can be
more clearly attributed to the Nor
mon influence In Idaho politics and
the bunch OF machine politicians who
have dominated republican politics
In this state for the past six or eight
years. These politicians have no use
for Ruick because he is an unceasing
worker against Mormon domination
In his party. The polygamists are
after his scalp, and will get II, be-
cause their demands are law with
the powers that control the republl-
can party in this state.
II there was ever any apparent
reason why the democratic party
should not make It's fight against the
Mormons one OF the main issues of
the campaign. this fight on Ruick
shows that the church must be
crushed out OF Idaho politics or II
viii soon dominate both parties and
dictate absolutely to the people of
this state what they shall and shall
not do In public affairs. Their pow
or and influence is already too great
and threatens the liberty Of the peo-
pie Ruick has opposed them and
he ID about to be decapltated for de-
Tending the rights OF American eth
gems against extinction at their
hands.
Those democrats who profess to
believe that the party can secure
enough Mormon votes to carry the
state this fall. II II viii become their
ally BY dropping the Mormon ques-
tion are willing TO sacrifice all there
II to American government for the
spells OF ONCE. They ought to know
that the Mormons are after the con-
troll OF the party, aud have no other
object In view. and II the democrats
back down from the issue at this
time II means the organization of the
American party In the state to con
tinue the tight. The party has taken
proper stand against the evils Of
Mormonlsm in politics and crime
and can not AFFORD to back down ii
the coming campaign. II must main
tain It's position and fight 1t out W.
do not mean BY this that the ques
ton should be the only issue, be
cause the reckless and wasteful stat,
administration, and the reforming o
the trust protecting tarift. are ais,
important and should not be sub
merged. But with these three issue
the democracy OF Idaho can go be
fore the people with fair prospec
Of success at the polls. To adopt
policy Of retrogression means abso
lutte defeat all along the line
No good citizen is opposed TO tn
enforcement OF the provisions OF IN
state constitution. and that is wha
the democratic party has asked 70
IN the past with respect to the MOI
mona, II wants the provisions @
the constitution enforced and II thI
DISTINGUISHES lot OF polygamou
Mormons no citizen is injured and tn
honor of the state and it's fundamer
eel law Is upheld. The enforcement
Of the state constitution Is one {
the issues on which the Democrat
party must stand II Il expects to vii
II that Is religious persecution |,
the persecution continue, because N
constitution is superior to any r,
llglous belief that defles It's PROV
sions. Let the party stand benin
the constitution and the people wi
stand behind tho party.