The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1908-11-27
AN ANONYMOUS LETTER.

AN ANONYMOUS LETTER.
The following letter directed to
this paper is only one of many sent
out to the press by some one who
does not sign his name, and who took
the further precaution against being
identified, by mailing his letters on
the train from North Idaho.
Anonymous letters are not always
above criticism, and this one is no
exception. Our comments on the
matter 1t contains are found after the
article.
The Letter.
To the Editor of The Republican,:
I am a Republican, and a member
elect of The coming state legislature.
My earnest desire is to serve my
country and state faithfully, but to
serve intelligently in a state legisla-
ture that promises as many mix-ups
as does the one before us is a diff
ferent and more difficult task. To
do SO needs grasp of things greater
than mine at the present time, and
for this reason | appeal to the press
of the state for enlightenment.
More than any other class, editors
are in touch with the masses of the
people, and they have finger on the
pulse of the body polite, and because
Of this fact, and because have talked
with many other members elect who,
like myself, are grasping toward the
light, the press Of Idaho could do no
greater service to us and to the state
than to express through the editorial
columns of it's papers throughout the
various parts Of the state, the will
and pleasure of the people. Other
wise how can we be assured that we
are working for the best interests of
all parts of the state? Most of us
know but little save the needs of our
own county.
The time for this discussion by the
press Is now, SO that we may weigh
and consider matters; not after the
legislature shall have convened and
measures are rushed through by
few manipulators, without time for
thought by most of the members.
For instance, the delegation from
my county to the legislature is under
instructions by the county convention
to vote for both direct primary and
local option. We are also instructed
by the state convention to vote for
Mr.. Hepburn for the U. s. senate.
Now suppose these instructions upon
us by the two different conventions,
county and state, conflict and are OPP
posed to each other, as they are.
What then? To which instruction do
we owe allegiance first? Which
should be more binding upon us, In
structions by our own county conven-
ton, or that by the state convention?
Which of these two conventions rep
resent more closely the will of the
people OF the county whom / shall
represent In the legislature? Surely
1t is the county convention, not the
state convention. Am mistaken?
My county instructed, as said, for
both direct primary and local option. /
Senator Hepburn is vitality opposed to
a direct primary law and always will
be. Idaho can never have direct
primary law If he can prevent it. In
this, he and his friends are fighting
The instruction put upon us by our
county convention. The delegation
from his county, Shoshone, to the
legislature is boasting that 1t will de-
eat local option; yet the state con
,ention pledged them to support it.
Now, In the face Of this, can we mem
,ers feel bound, in turn, by the in
truction of that same state conven-
ion to vote for Shoshone county's
andidate for the U. s. senate? IL
And since direct primary law can |
ot affect the election Of Z senator at