The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-06-27
The Passing of Gooding.

factor teaches many lessons
The plainest object lesson conveyed is that Nor
mons have no gratitude 1t would be profitable to
many aspirants of both parties, who would trade
away their honor and self-respect and the good
of the state for Mormon support to review the brief
career of Governor Gooding He compara-
lively unknown quantity in Idaho politics few years
since He had acquired a competency by paying
close attention to band of sheep, and herding them
until they had grown into numerous bands Polti-
cal ambition of the worst form took possession of
him. the ambition, more properly, the vanity to
hold public office He had paid no attention to pub
lie questions had no fixed ideas to civic duties
was neither an educated man student. He
had appealed to the people as their wel-wlsher
or friend and offered particular reason why they
should elect him their representative.
Having plenty of ready money, considerable energy
and much assurance, he sought and received the ap
pointment of state chairman of his party
In his conduct of the campaign he discovered how
valuable Mormon support would be to him in the fur
tterance of his desire to hold Office Having no
ideals himself and being possessed of native shrewd-
ness he realized that the Mormons were the very
adjunct he needed. His study Of their methods
taught him that obedience and servility to those in
authority the essential to preferment in all lines.
He correctly figured it out that the only necessary
mon leaders This he correctly argued to himself
could be done only by abject submission to them
His plan worked He was nominated for COVER
nor over Governor Morrison who was candidate to
succeed himself His nomination brought about
by the solid vote of the Mormons in convention, and
against the wishes of the Mormon republicans.
He was re-nominated and reelected by the Nor
mons against the wish of the non Mormon republic
cans.
During his entire life governor he did the
bidding of the Mormons. He went out of his way
to protect and defend them. He endorsed their
polygamy and 1awlessness He was entitled to their
loyal and lasting support At the last election, how
ever, the Mormon chiefs discovered that Gooding
had no support except theirs, that his power for
usefulness to them gone
While the poor, de1uded and duped Governor Good
ing still retained the vanity to hold office, and be
prominent and appealed to his Mormon allies to aid
him. the orders had gone out from the hierarchy that
all Mormon support should be withdrawn from him.
He begged that he might be allowed to close his
public career by being made delegate to the nation
al convention While the Mormons had complete
control of the selection of the delegates Goodings
name was not even considered His own district
was left out. Six comparatively unknown and OBJ
5cure members of the party were selected as dele
gates A Mormon bishop named Hart state
ator who had shown his contempt and the
empt of the Mormons for Goodng, was selected
ieegate to Chicago instead of Governor Gooding.
Goodng through his subserviency to the Mormons
oreited the respect of the Genes of the state and
an never regain their confidence Because of his
oss of nom Mormon strength the Mormons have
rutally discarded him.
One can gain Mormon support for his