The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1909-11-26
GREAT PRESS GATHERING
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masters OF the political situation II
they will only take the trouble to
attend the primaries and give express
sion to their wishes at the time set
apart for that purpose.
The possibilities for the formation
of a machine to control nominations
was discussed at length, and the ex-
perience of other states given to
show that the political boss under
the old system may become the po-
litical king under the new system
unless people are alive to their OPP
portunities, but II they study the sys-
tenn and exercise their franchise ac-
cording to the provisions of the law,
this cannot happen.
o. H. Barber in very able address
on the subject, showed how the spirit
Of the new law might be evaded and
destroyed by politicians, or by news
papers, IL they formed machine,
and the people neglected to do their
part, or how the press and the peo-
pie acting together for the public
good might make 1t impossible for
any combination to be formed that
would thwart the peoples wishes.
He appealed to the patriotism of the
press to form no combinations but
to stand on broad principles of equal
ity to carry out the spirit Of the new
law, and aid the people to an intelli-
gent understanding of it SO that pop.
ular government might be raised to
q higher and safer plain than 1t has
been before In the state. He showed
that 1t becomes the duty Of the edi.
tors Of the Gem State to educate the
people on this law before 1t is time
to put into operation, and then it be-
comes their duty and high privilege
to inform the public against the on.
erations of the INSCRIPTIONS seekers
lor ONCE and to SO govern publicity
as to bar them out.
The new law makes 1t impossible
FOR those seeking nomination. to a.
cure newspaper influence in their he.
nalf except on actual merit. or what
the editor judges to be actual merit.
unless the editor and the would-be
nominee violate the law and the nom
inee becomes a perjurer subject to
heavy penalties Of fine and imprison-
ment II proven guilty.
A candidate for nomination Is not
allowed to expend any money goods
gifts or things of any value whatso.
ever to secure newspaper influence
OF any kind whatever in behalf
81 his nomination. 1t is al violation
Of the law for the editor and the
candidate to make any agreement OF
promise Of favors Of any kind what
ever in connection with nominations
and no candidate Is permitted, un-
der heavy penalties to expend more
than $3.50 in any way to secure his
nomination.
The various newspapers of the club
will devote considerable space to this
subject during the winter and spring
for the purpose of making the opera
lions of the law very clear to those
who read.
Before adjournment, President
Wallis. Secretary Jones and Others
made speeches beseeching the editors
to conduct their campaign work on
a high plain, to be candid and frank
II WieiA LIZ PuUiiCy W ucC VERY
best Judgment and be fearless in ex
pressing their convictions, to berate
nobody on account Of political diff
ferences, to accord to every one the
right to his or her opinion, to keel
their editorial work on high plain
that will deserve and command re-
spect and confidence and to trust tt
the sovereign people to deal with
1.-THE press according to the manner
in which it meets its high responsible.
Titles.
A resolution was adopted providing
that If any newspaper acting on these
principles and in the interest Of good
government were the victim of q
boycott or libel suit, the whole mem
bership of the press club would come
to their relief, editorally and finan.
clay If necessary.
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