The Boise citizen. (Boise, Idaho) 1906-1910, 1908-07-10
THE PEOPLE GAINING power

The Detroit News remarks that back Of the apparent
lack Of interest among the the action of the nat
ional conventions there is evidence of general drift
The frantic denunciatons which the eactionary press has
hurled all reform tendencies the savage vtuperation
and accusations of deagoguery rebound without
! leaving a mark public opinion The News notices
that in number of states "a movement IS foot which
indicates that while the functions of the government must
be delegated and elected and appointed officials the policies
government bound be controlled by the people
The mass of the nation is evidently merging toward
rational state of mind when partisan spirit will lose its
compelling power, and when the who do what the
people would require of them will command the votes
Party lines will be strong enough hold the voters
who do approve either Of the policies candidates
lof their own party.
Naturally in its observations the Detroit papers
leye closely Oregon the leader among the states
along with young Miss Oklahoma, in this movement and
o this says Oregon has given the reactonarles
unpardonabe oense by adopting the initiative and refer
endum This Republican state has also administered
blow below the constitutional belt by advising its Repub
can legislature elect Democratic senator, and by putting
Democratic mayor over the Republican city OF Portland
Quoting fling of the New York Sum- Wall street organ
the News reprints in part reply Of Portland citizen Mr.
John Simpson, who said:
THE initiative and referendum we're not adopted
here through crankness desire for something new but
the people thought them the best and suret to rid
the affairs of Oregon Instead of being harshiy cr
ticized the people Oregon should be commended for
placing patriotism above parsanshp and electing to one
of the highest offices within their gift honest and capa
bile Democrat instead of of their political creed
who they believed was not as good man
Agreeing with this, the News concludes: All this
would indicate disposition the part OF the people to
Bss1ne the sovereignty that was always theirs 1t lndl
Gates determination to throw down such officials as abuse
their power refuse to obey the popular demand and to
ignore the advice and suggestions OF newspapers whose
editorial policies are harmony with the public mind
There is nothing alarming insane in all this On the
contrary as the French would say:
This IS or will be and the sentiment OF the
fair liberal progressive independent press OF the country
saws the Portland Journal The people Of other states
are going to desPse Oregon because ITS people nave
deposed the hollow deceivng political leaders and bosses
and taken their affairs largely into their own hands nor
will the people of Oregon be regarded nbeceS or luna
tics because they have deliberately and full information
and belief selected Democrat two for high offices,
while choosing Republicans for most OF the offices lhlS
is on the contrary evidence OF entire sanity and political
health most gratifying and notable proof OF incTeas
ing intelligence and realization OF their power among the
The partisan and subsidized organs may indulge in
fran+ic den1nciaons and savage vuperatiOn but the
movement of the people toward the greater light and liberty
will spread and grow Such movement cannot be stopped
ayhap Treasurer Hastings could inform those owing the state
ANYTHING that they remit real money through the express COM
names In this he could get rid OF the collection account
thar appears be such evasion Of the law would cost
few dollars surely the state would rather stand the expense
an to have official forced dsobey the law spite OF nsei
With the deal on between Brady and ONe the Gentle Reub
ns Of Idaho that large majority Of them are practically
fancbised 1t they vote but the Mormon leaders Viii
name the ticket they are to vote Tor
Senator Dubois continues interviews that all the Gen
Tlbo ar united in opposition to the Mornons. Strange
h result at the baobox with the senator state
ment
nrr Hastings, ec9eetieii somewhat gatlzy but
M asre is correct IN stating that the Statesman IS exposing
solely for selfish reasons of its own.
t azy the support the Mormon leadersnot the Mormon
neive to Inn Brady and he would cut very soFrE hsre m
the next Republican state convention
And the third round S still scheduled for Wallace