Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1908-03-05
NORMAN Fight
IN DEMOCRACY
uoRD FROM STATE CAPITAL
THAT PARTY WILL BE RENT
WITH DUBOIS AND ANTI-DU-
BOIs FACTIONS.

tbe Interest struggles In the history
~ Idaho politics is in progress with
n the ranks of the democratic par
" in the state, says special to the
portland Telegram Lines have been
closely drawn between the Dubois
and anti-Dubois factions. The fight
Il being made on the adoption Of
an anti-mormon plank in the state
platform this year. Sentiment
against making a fight on the Nor
mon element has crystalized and
under the leadership of John F. Nu-
gent, X. l. Perky, James H. Hawley,
Judge c. o. Stockslager and other
prominent party workers, will
carried, if necessary. to the conven-
tion floor.
Dubois and his followers absolute
ly control the state organization
and propose to make Mormonism the
paramount issue this year, as in the
last two campaigns. At the meeting
of the state central committee last
week, resolutions were adopted COM
mitting the organization to the anti
mormon platform. Another resolu-
tioh advised the organization of the
American party in counties where
the Mormon element predominates,
intimating that American party del
egates would be seated in the state
convention from such counties. This
action is taken to mean that in the
event Dubois loses control of the
state organization, and the Mormon
question is dropped by Idaho democ-
racy, an American party will be
formed in the state with Dubois as
its leader.
The state central committee turn
ed down resolution by Judge X. /.
Perky of Ada county. providing
that the question of putting an anti
Mormon plank in the platform be
submitted to the democratic voters
OF the state at the primaries at
which the delegates will be named.
This action has called forth the
charge of bossism against Dubois.
who was in absolute control of the
committee.
That sentiment has undergone a
remarkable change within the party
within the past two years was evil
dent at the banquet rendered the
state central committee, where it
was openly charged that the party
organization was not representative
OF the sentiment in the rank and
hle; that an effort was being made
by party boss to insert plank in
the platform that did not meet the
approval of majority of the voters
within the party; that there was in
sincerity on the part of those who
wished to continue the anti-Mor-
mon fight, and that the Mormon
question could be settled at any
tlme In the courts. If the agitators
wished to have it settled.
A platform on which all demo-
Gratis can stand is the demand OF
the anti-Dubois faction. On the
other hand, Dubois continues to as
sert that the democratic party does
not want Mormon votes. The fight
VIII not end until the state platform
y adopted, and even then 1t is
uoubtful If the contending factions
will be able to unite.
The apparently hopeless split in
me democratic ranks will, it is be-
neVed, have an effect on the national
as Well as the state ticket, and the
enances of Bryan carrying the state
ore greatly lessened by this inter
lai strife. Those democrats who are
aaVoeating casting out Of the way
~ side issues are urging the neces.
e,ey OF adopting platform on which
- democrats, Mormon and Gentle
van stand, in order that Bryan may
leeeiye the united support of thai
pafty in the state. But Dubois in,
'@ that more important than Civ.
s bryan the electoral vote. or o.
'ing state ticket, is declara
uon against the Mormon church.
= IS too early to predict what tn,
sult OF the fight will be, but in tn,
ssi asn Western section of tine stat,
n,ment pument is very plainly agains
aoois II Is believed that shoui.
iose In the state convention h,
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