The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1908-10-15

with the facts, will retire. The new
district attorneys will require at least
six months to acquire familiarity with
the facts Even II officers as able and
as honest as the present incumbents
are appointed, there will be an inter-
regnum. That in all cases officers as
honest and able will be appointed is
too much to hope. President Roosevelt
has had time, in his seven years, to
weed out the less competent and he
has done SO. That Mr.. Bryan, II elect
ed, would appoint some who would af-
terward ned to be weeded out will ap-
pear certain to all who do not impute
to him an infallible judgment of men.
That he is even good judge of men
appears to me to be at least doubtful.
II could think, as some writer's for
the newspapers appear to think, that
all the corruption is in the Republic
can party and all the honesty in the
Democratic party, l should be ready
to vote "for change" But clearly
that is not the case II Philadelphia is
one of the most corrupt cities In the
country and is governed by Republic
can ring, New York City is at least a
close second, and it is governed by a
Democratic ring. Thieves have no
party prejudices; there is corruption
in both parties. Mr.. Roosevelt and the
men whom he has gathered about him
are fighting corruption first of all in
their own party. 1t is not true that all
the men in his party who hate Mr..
Roosevelt are corrupt but all the men
who are corrupt hate Mr. Roosevelt.
II they do not hate Mr. Taft as bitterly,
1t is only because they do not know
him as well. But all the corrupt ele-
ments in the Democratic party do not
hate Mr.. Bryan. Some of them are his
ardent supporters and apparently
trusted counsels. We know who Mr.
Taft's associates in his administration
would be, for we know who they are
now. We do not know who Mr.. Bry-
ans associates would be, and when
consider some of the men whom he
has apparently chosen, or at least ac-
copied as his advisors in the campaign
l cannot avoid apprehension as to the
probable character of his advisors in
the administration, If he were elected
The paramount issue, then, appears
to me to be this: Shall we continue tc
the end the campaign against political
and commercial corruption which Mr.
Roosevelt has initiated? To that ques.
ton l can give but one answer, Yes
l am sure that it will be carried or
with as much vigor and efficiency by
Mr.. Taft as by Mr.. Roosevelt. He il
Mr.. Roosevelt's choice. He is fighting
honest. He is a great lawyer, pecu,
liarly fitted for such campaign. He
is familiar with the facts because he
has been one of Mr.. Roosevelt's trust
ed counselors in that campaign. HI
has shown his ability to be com
mander-in-chief in such campaign BY
the work he has done as division
, commander. 1t is always hazardous tt
swap commanders on the battlefield.
have no assurance that Mr.. Bryan
, would be able to conduct such a cam
paign with success. / am sure that
however good his intentions, for thu
/ first year or two he would be at |
, great disadvantage And l am NOR,
f than willing to postpone all merely pc
J litical and economic questions unit
this campaign against corruption Il
brought to decisive issue.
REV. LYMAN ABBOTT,
Editor Outlook