The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1910-07-29

national government to work togeth-
er for good roads and would favor
legislation intended to accomplish
that result. The public highways in
parts Of Idaho are excessively print
tive in location, in construction and
poorly maintained. No other inter-
est in this state is Of greater import
to the people Of all callings than this
one. Passable roads the year round,
Of good grade and firm foundation,
together with system of navigable
rivers and lakes would soon put our
state at the head of western common
wealths.
A national board Of health such
as is comprehended in the Owen
bill would fulfill most humane and
useful office. 1t has the approval OF
the leading medical societies Of the
country, is in the interest Of the pub
lie health and should be pressed to
passage without unnecessary delay.
The old soldiers are dying at the
rate Of about SO, 900 year, a most
appalling decrease. The pension
roll for the coming year is something
like IS, 900, 900 less than that for the
current year. The last annual re-
port shows payments made to o4o,
1874 persons. Despite the loss Of
numbers and consequent political
power these pensioners should re-
ceive the most liberal treatment. The
old soldiers are the most law abiding
and distinguished class Of citizens
our country ever had.
There is now pending in con-
gress bill to regulate the transpor-
tation Of alcoholic spirits from one
state to another. The bill favors
prohibition and l favor the bill. The
Miller Curtis bill is one heartily in
dorse. As state policy am
against the saloons and for constitu-
tional prohibition. The local op-
ton law is good enough till the
people can wipe out the traffic in
liquor by constitutional amend
ment. This saloon question deem
the most important one now to be
decided by the people. The great
moral interest at stake is too sacred
to permit Of evasion or quibbling.
My observation as state official
convinced me that a most thorough
and immediate reformation of the
states revenue laws and the land Of
flee system is necessary in the inter-
est OF the tax payer and citizens
generally. Men and women CONVEX
SAINT with these laws could be Of
inestimable service to the state in the
more important executive offices and
legislative branch Of the government.
Fair and wise revenue laws are a
strong magnet to capital from abroad
seeking investment. At present
taxes are heavy and unevenly distri-
buted.
Il am strongly Of the opinion that
the interests Of the shipper, the mer-
chant, passengers and the people
generally would be advanced by a
state railroad commission to work in
harmony with the interstate railroad
commission. 1t is something that
should be publicly discussed for the
enlightenment of successful candi-
dates.
As far back as 1905 addressed
an open letter to many Of our state
papers urging direct primary law
and popular election Of United
States senators. We now have the
first and practically the second. If
for nothing else the tenth legislature
should be held in grateful remem-
brance for the enactment of the
direct primary lava law by the
way, not demanded by either politi-
cal party but ratified by the people
Of the state. 1t is reform OF far
reaching significance and entitled to
a most friendly reception and an
honest test. 1t is not a law calculat-
ed to forcibly attract the admiration
Of the professional politician. 1t is
by the bosses and the heeler
alike. The law comes as near put
ting the politics Of a state in the
hands Of the voters as any law that