The Idaho scimitar. [volume] (Boise, Idaho) 1907-1908, 1908-09-12
THE IDAHO SCIMITAR.


making the decision Do you suppose that it would
be possible to change the constitution where there
are 0O,oOO,OOO of people? Never!
Mr. Hepburn said to his auditors that he chose to
dsobey the instructions of the last legislature direct
ing him to sustain resolution for a constitutional
amendment to provide for the election Of United
States senators by direct of the people, rather
than through the intervention of the legislative body
He chose to disobey the will of the people, con-
veyed through the legislature because he said, the
legislature had no authority to instruct him, al
though he recognized its authority to place him in
the senate as the representative of the will of the
people
In words and phrases, Mr.. Hepburn said further ::
Last winter by order of your legislature you in
Structed your representatives to stand for act
providing for the election of senator's by the popular
vote of the people. Now, | wonder and | am not
here to criticise the legislature but do you think
the legislature of Idaho would like this state to be
given but two senator's and New York 80? 1t is only
fair that you should know where stand. I objected
to this matters consideration when it came up on
the floor OF the senate, relying the fact that when
| reported to my constituents they would have conf
dence in my refusal to accept the obligation of the
legislature and favor the action | took.
One would not suppose that qualified to
hold the position of United States senator would
resort to weak and untenable an excuse in de-
Tense of an unjustihable act of omission. He pre-
sumes that the public, whose ignorance he has com
mented upon, will believe that the election of United
States senator's by direct vote would necesstate
senatorial apportionment equal to the apportionment
for the house of representatves-that as many SEN
ators representatives would have to be elected
If Mr. Hepburn himself believes the excuse he
has created, he is incompetent. If he does not be-
eve it. he is trying to impose upon his constituency
something that he knows to be an absurdity.
Mr. Hepburn, in his address, gave the public to
understand that he opposed to the primary cleo
ton system and the convention that nominated him
failed to place primary election plank in its plat
form.
The republican convention of two years ago
pledged the party to the enactment of a primary
election law and violated the pledge at the instance
of the trust controlled leaders of the party including
the Mormon hierarchy When Mr. Hepburn said
that he opposed to any attempt on the part of
convention to 1egislate," he speaking in con-
donation of the legislature controlled by his party,
that failed to carry the promise of the previous
republican convention
No trust magnate, defender of the trusts, no
machine boss endorses the primary idea, being op-
posed to it without exception. The lead trust the
sugar trust the lumber trust the transportation trust
and the ecclesiastical trust all amply represented in
the late republican convention and in the person of
Mr. Hepburn, oppose the besowal upon the people of
this strong weapon of power one which would enable
them to dictate the terms of government.
There are few western states in which candidate
for the United States senate would dare the
position occupied by Mr.. Hepburn in open opposition
to the most vital demand of the people He has
taken up the of the interests and expects that
they will carry him through to victory
He has served notice upon the voters of the egis-
latve districts of Idaho that if he is returned to the
senate he is not to represent the public, but is to
represent incorporated monopoly. He has done this
openly and candidy that voter can mistake his