The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1908-10-10
The Republican State Central Commit
tee Makes Statement,


tee Makes Statement.
The republican state central COM
mittee makes the following statement
regarding the charges of the States
man against Secretary Lansdon:
LansdOn and His Detractors.
Two years ago Robert Lansdon, who
had been a county officer of Washing
ton county, was nominated for secre-
tary of state. He. was unknown to the
voters of the state at large, but had
the endorsement AM support of enough
strong men to receive the nomination
Although anothe' strong man from
that county, who had a statewide rep
ufation and was universally known AS
i clean, able mao. was candidate for
another high office, Lansdon was pop
Mar enough to win at the primaries
and secure the nomination for linn
self There was not a stain upon his
name nor suspicion against his
character. AS unexpected as bolt of
lightning from a clear sky came the
charge that there were gross irregu-
larities in his office, affecting noc only
his competency, but his integrity as
we'll. Lansdon protested his lnno-
cence, but the charge was reiterated
with increased pasitfveness, the ac-
cusers claiming to be in possession of
evidence that could not be explained
away. The Boise Statesman repudiat-
ed him and advised Republicans to
scratch his name and vote for an OPP
ponent. SANDER travels faster than
truth and it was impossible to dis
prove the charges because they were
general and not specific. The sitla-
ton was embarrassing to the ticket,
and Lansdon, too loyal to the party
to permit any personal ambition to
bring reproach upon it, placed his res
ignation in the hands of the state CEN
trail committee. Whether thev urged
him to do so or not or whether Or not
they ever had any intention of accept
ing the resignation, is not known out
side the limited membership OF that
committee. But in any event it was
discovered that there was no way Of
removing his name from the ticket
nor of placing another thereon. The
time had passed when such might le-
gally have been done. Those respon-
sible for the charges had made them
public the day following the last upon
which any changes in the ticket 1night
be made, and the fact was soon I'M
earthed that the disclosures had pur-
posely been withheld until change
in the ticket was impossible.
Making the best of what appeared
to be a bad situation, the state COM
mittee called attention to the unfail
methods which had been adopted anc
appealed to the sense of justice ano
fairness of the people to stand b!
Lansdon, promising that in the event
of the charges being sustained Lans
don would resign. Lansdon made the
same promise, all the while maintain
ing his innocence and insisting tina
the charges would be disproven. Tit
people, at the polls, rebuked the &C
cusers for the advantage they had at
tempted to take by Withholding thu
charges and elected Lansdon by
handsome majority.
In due time Lansdon faced his &C
cusers in court. A special prosecu
tor had been engaged to assist tn
prosecuting attorney, and all the eVi
dence that could be collected Il
months, and the same upon which tn
charges were based, was introduced
At it's conclusion, Lansdon's attorne
moved the court to instruct the lur
to acquit the defendant, for want 9
discriminating evidence. Judge Smltf
before whom the trial was held, state
that the evidence was not SUFFICIENT I
warrant giving it to the jury, an
gave the prosecution until the 10
lowing morning to strengthen thcl
case If they could do so. When coul
convened the following morning
asked the special prosecutor II he ha
any additional evidence, or could 'ho
that the county had not receiver a
that was due it, and was informed th'
they could not do So The jury WI
then instructed to acquit for want
evidence. Lansdon did not introdu'
particle of evidence, and his AUTO
news did not argue the case. Only OF
side of the story was told. and II WI
SC weak that it could not stand aioh
Lansdon walked from the courtroo
that was so loudly heralded as h
doom not only free man buS ful
restored In the confidence of the pc
pie.
Tho nffiaa Tn which