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

of Idaho was organized at Troy the 23d OF Sep
TENDER it stated that the organization believed
its existence necessity at this uncture in the affairs
of the state because certain Special privileges
about to be granted through the medium of the
publican party.
The convention of the independent party thus or
ganzed issued address to the voters Of the state
in which it declared that corporate interests
considered the opportunity ripe for onslaught on
public property and the rights of the citizen
Especially according to the address of the indie
pendens was the timber trust conspiring to procure
legislation nimical to the state. 1t proposed to
cure legislation that would give extension of
twenty years in the time now required to remove
from state land the timber purchased from the
state. 1t was seeking monopolstic control of the
valuable rivers of the state and the natural power
they afford.
Such, in brief the charges and specifications
embraced in the declarations of the independent party
organized at Troy, in the northern portion of the
state In support of its allegations the convention
said that every legislative convention held in north
ern Idaho by the republican party had been con-
trolled by the timber and every legislative ticket
nominated by such conventions was composed of men
who would legislate in the interest of the trust, if
elected
The convention believed that every nominee on the
state republican ticket who would become member
of the state land board if elected was in league with
the timber trust, and that if the legislature failed
to place the coveted resources of the state in posses
sion of the timber trust the land board would do
that which the legislature neglected to do.
The convention then alleged that the trust
equipped with two strings to its bow and snap
ped, the other would be utilized.
1t was further asserted in the address that a con-
spiracy had been in process of formation during the
past six years. having for its object monopostic
troll of the important of the state and that
a company had been incorporated that was to be-
come the holding company and that B. F. O'Neil
chairman of the republican committee one of
the incorporators Four other republican politicians
were mentioned as his associates.
1t the purpose of the corporation, charged,
to procure possession of the valuable waters of the
state without compensating the state.
The address also charged that control of the Clear
water river part of the scheme, that the Clear
water under control of the general government
and that Congressman French was Unexpectedly de-
feated for denomination because he would not join
the consprators and such congressional legs
1ation as might be demanded by the timber trust and
its pals.
In view of all these contemplated raids the
the convention of the independents,
in session at Troy, adopted the following platform
We demand the enactment of direct primary law
in Idaho fashioned after the Wisconsin primary
law
We disclaim any intention or desire to antagonize
Or arrest the development of any of our natural re-
sources by private corporate enterprise, and
would welcome such development provided the in
erests Of the state amply saeguarded and that in
my franchise privileges they may seek the state is
amply compensated Therefore, in keeping with the ?
profits accruing from the enjoyment of such priv
1eges we demand that in satisfying its land grant
lights the state should not infringe the rights of