Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-08-31

Zone OF the United States sena-
tors died and the governor, nomi-
mated in a railroad controlled con-
vention. appointed Mr.. Kittredge to
the vacancy and his career as one OF
the Aldrich contingent in the senate
began. Through corporation infiu-
ence, he was easily elected to sue
coed himself. the state at that time
being in one of those deadly moral
and political frances that now affiicts
the mountain region.
THE republican state convention
held In South Dakota. in 1904, was
completely under the direction OF
Senator Kittredge. Railroad officials
hocked to the scene from every
quarter and in a caucus. the night
before the convention. presided over
by Mr.. Kittredge, the entire repub-
lican ticket was made up and 1t was
ratified the next day by the conven-
ton.
The railroads ran special free
trains to the convention city from all
parts ofthe state and the moral effect
Of corrupting mob was added to
the acknowledged supremacy Of the
enthroned railroad boss.
idaho IL going to witness another
such scene in few days, here in
Boise. Perhaps not so bold and
domineering and interruptions, but
the machine will go as far Is Il now
dares to go and, with the encourage
ment Of success. will take complete
and open possession OF politics and
government next time.
But In South Dakota, the final
straw was laid upon the camel's back
when Mr.. Kittredge's railroad con-
vention took possession OF the state.
The people bethought themselves
that, back in the popu1istic days, a
provision for the initiative and refer
endum had been placed in the con-
atitution and In the statutes. 1t had
remained dead letter under succeed
Ing machine rule, but II was now
awakened from its long sleep and put
to work.
"A comprehensive primary election
bill was initiated and filed with the
legislature. II was the plain constitu.
tional and statutory duty of the legis-
dature to submit the measure to a
vote OF the people. The railroad
masters OF the state. through sena-
tor Kittridge, commanded the legis-
lature to violate the constitution and
the law and refuse to submit
the bill and the legislature obeyed.
1T was then that the voters OF
South Dakota rose against corpora
ton outlawry and smashed the ma
chine. All OF its votaries were turned
out and Senator Kittredge went along
with them. The primary election
law was enacted by the next legisla-
ture without an appeal to the IN
ltlative aud referendum. for an anti
machine ticket swept the state and
filled the legislative body ana the
executive departments with reforms
ers The primary election law thus
secured had its first trial last June
and when the ballots were counted
It was found that Mr.. Kttridge had
been elected to stay at home. No
more complete act OF Justice could
have been measured out to him by
his constituents.
I'm the midst OF all these slgnln-
cant and encouraging signs OF health
full Improvement In governing meth
DDS, Idaho Is marking time. 1t is
tied TO the wheels of the machine
iuggernaut, an acknowledgement
tlon machine that Is still determined
to keep the people In subsection.
The convention OF this machine
will be held IN Boise during the COM
Ing week, There is not a reader OF
newspapers In the state who does not
know what the ticket OF that conven-
ton win be, 1t has been selected
IN the councils Of tho bosses as flag
rantly as ever the tickets OF the re-
publicans Of Kansas. South Dakota
and North Dakota were selected.
The voters Of Idaho have yet
found no opportunity to break away
from the tyranny of the system by
which thew are bound. There win
be no opening IN the coming conyen-
ton The third OF November might
be made day OF escape and re-
demption.