Mountain Home maverick. [volume] (Mountain Home, Idaho) 1906-1911, 1909-12-30
THE OPPORTUNITY OF THE
PEOPLE.


clans are ust beginning to wake up
to the fact that the Tenth Legisla-
ture enacted a direct primary law.
and such a good one, from the stand
point of the direct primarist. that
one Of the eastern states is seriously
considering the advisability Of re-
modelling its law to conform to the
Idaho enactment.
Already the pulse of the public is
being felt. There are some who, like
King Canute, would sit and imper-
iously command the waters to re-
cede, but there are others who would
still resort to the same old back
room consultation and fulsome pro-
misses made only to be broken un-
less the same old scheme Of special
privilege is fulfilled.
With all due respect for the opin-
ions of those who do or do not be-
lieve in the efficacy of this law it
is too true that certain of the old
methods will prevail. Men prominent
in local and state affairs will speak
Each viii have his following Those
strong men viii confer, and commune
and decide whether this or that man
is worthy, in just the same manner
as the average voter will from
grocery store conversation and news
paper reading make his choice of
candidates.
One thing, however, must not be
lost sight of. and that is the fact
that the candidate. himself, must take
his chances with the whole people,
and not with delegate convention.
composed of factions, ready. in all
honesty. it is perhaps admitted, to
trade anything or everything for
favorite candidates.
In such contest as must be con-
Quoted under the new law. it is evil
dent that he has been tried and not
found wanting is not only entitled
70 the sffurage of all fair-thinking
people, all other candidates being
equal. but is laid open to the mis-
representation, prejudice and malice
Of those who do not believe in keep
ing party pledges.
From the ripples which. even now.
occasionally break the surface Of the
dope in the political pot. it is APP
parent that Governor Brady is to be
subjected to just such treatment. AL
though we have not agreed with the
Goveroor in every instance in the
stand which he has taken upon pub
lie questions. we have in the greater
part. and we do give him credit for
honesty of purpose, but it seems
that these men, not content with
misrepreesnting and questioning his
motives in declaring his attitude in
reference to state questions since his
election. from evidence which is in
disputable, are now endeayoring to
slur his personal character.
1t is on this phase Of the problem
that Maverikc desires to sound
note of warning. and it is this tack
Of the opposition to Governor Brady
that we want to condemn in unmeas-
ured terms.
1t is admitted that the Governor
has made good so far in his ad-
ministration. is entitled to a re-nom-
nation. and. although weak with a
certain class of. politicians. is the
strongest man with the people in
the taste today who viii seek the
nomination for Governor.
How viii the attempt to beat him
be made? BY bringing out some
honcts man who will be deceived as
to his chances with, and who viii
bid for the support of. the right kind
of people, and another one who viii
speak fair and receive the support Of
the pledge-breakers with the idea in
view OF securing a majority of sec
ond-choice voters?
Prospective candidates and the
people should not be deceived by the