Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1910-10-27
The Personnel of the Demo-
cratic County Ticket
CANDIDATES. QUALIFICATIONS
Frank Rice Becomes Bitter
and Partisan

The time is but few days hence
when the people will march to the
polls and through the ballot express
their preference for the men who are
asking to be elected to this or that
state or county Office Time was when
a majority of the voters voted the tick
ct straight but this was years ago dur
ing what might properly be designa-
ted as the "barbaric" period Of Amer-
can politics.
Through education obtained by op-
servation of the methods and work
ings of the professional politicians, the
people have awakened to the folly of
voting for parties and not men and
today finds thousands and thousands
Of American citizens who do their own
thinking and who are not swerved
from their course by the crack of the
party whip or the promises of political
spoils for support or party ostraciza-
tion for their independence.
The Independent voters hold the
balance of power and to these men
and women depends great deal the
success or failure of our government.
Through the direct primary, which is
step towards independence and the
elimination of political rings and men,
who make a business of politics, the
people of Idaho have selected the can
didates for Office of the two great poll
cal parties and while 1t is true that in
some instances the intent of the pri-
mary law was frustrated by the maci-
nation Of clever leaders and in the in
stance of state offices by the lavish
use of money all summed up the peo-
pie have had more of voice in the
selection of the men on the tickets
than under the convention system.
The result Of the primary has left the
democrats with an exceptionally good
ticket and especially is this true in
regard to the county ticket
The ticket is most excellent one
from top to bottom and should re-
ceiye the support Of every democrat
as well as many republicans. We do
not believe the btterest Of partisan
can advance any real reason for the
non-support of a single man on the
ticket. Under the old convention
system as much could not have been
truthfully said and it will have to be
admitted that quite often men were
placed on tickets, not because of their
fitness for office but rather as pay
ment for party loyalty.
James Surridge, who is asking the
people to send him to the upper house
from this county, is one of our fore
most citizens and man whose past re-
cord as a member of the Legislature is
one of accomplishments. Mr.. Sur.
ridges opponent is Jacob Eckert, a
most excellent citizen of the Cotton.
wood country These gentlemen are
the best of friends and as Mr.. Eckart
has said; ''it does not behoove either
one to speak i'll of the other. Jake
Eckert and Jim" Surridge have
fought the battles Of pioneer life shoul
der to shoulder and at nightfall slept
by the same campfire.
Unfortunately the republicans il
selecting their legislative ticket have
picked Grangeville men exclusivel,
for the lower house, c. T. Mcdonald
John Eimers and John Atkinson
We do not believe this is for the best
interests of the county and that the
various sections should have rerpesen-
taton. Outside of Eckert should the
republican legislative ticket be elected
Grangeville will certainly be well rep
resented in the eleventh session.
On the democratic ticket Herbert
Moore, one of the candidates for the
lower house, comes from the Clear
water section. Mr.. Moore has been q
resident Of Idaho for many years, com
ing to this county from southwest
Idaho. He is man Of ability and
has managed his own affairs in such {
r manner that today we find him one o
: the well-to-do farmers of Idaho county
Moore is solid, practical man and i
: elected will come back to Idaho count,
at the close of the session to receiv,
+ credit or censure for what he may hav,
} done. One trouble with Idaho repre-
4 resentatives in the past has been tina
/ in some instances their only interest il
e the county was political one and al