The Richfield recorder. (Richfield, Idaho) 1909-1931, 1910-06-16
o'NEIL AND HIS POSITION.

The Recorder need apologize to n 0 for sayinga good word for z.
F. CBarneyD oNel, candidate for the republican nomination for
governor. Mr.. oNeI has many a time visited the pioneer sod house
in western Nebraska where the Recorder editor was raised; he organ
lied the militia company that served albeit a bloodless service as it
proved the Sioux Indian war in 1880, where the writer got his
first taste Of real soldering. In that quarter OF a century, the writer
has not known him to break his word, or to go back o n a friend That
kind of IN acquaintance is a very pleasant memory
The Recorder had been led to believe that Mr. ONefl would be Of
fensively allied with the liquor interests in the coming campaign; and
it could % approve of such a candidacy That it was foreign to his
early life. was not quite enough of al argument that it VIZ OF true
today But a careful analysis shows that this would be impractical, fool
ish, impossible Mr.. oNel has declared positively for local option, for
a thorough test of the present law. The state has gone SO strongly for
local option, that no san a would dare to let it be understood that
even if he had the power-which he could OF possibly have-he would
change the present law. AS the state now stands. it is almost certain
that both political parties will accept the issue and endorse the local
ontfon law- cartainlv rho nrb1ica andtdates ms d o that 10 .
IAN Admitting that Mr. O,Nel has not been a rabid reforemr-n-
deed he is not the only man in public life. now champoning the local
option law, who once was very lukewarm on the subject-he occupies
a far stronger position than most Of the reform leaders did two years
ago de vas chairman of the republican state campaign that made
local option an issue. and supported it as heartily as " Governor
Brady. But back Of all is his personal word, the RECORD of many years
Of honorable dealing. that he will stand by the law in spirit al well as
in letter. That is a good a guarantee al any a could offer-not
even a lifetime Of rabid prohibition work is a better guarantee than
the word OF a a whose word is good. That Mr.. oNel has been
misrepresented OF this question is a matter that fair play should see
reetifed.
The Recorder editor has talked with preachers. brewers, politicians,
and added to this his W opinion as from the common people; and
the verdict of all is that Mr.. ONen could not if he would, and
would not if he could, curtan or hamper the present law. So far IS
the Recorder is concerned, that is a closed issue; and it was me of
the matters o which the greatest opposition to Mr.. oNen was based.
The Recorder would like to know lore of the deal which came near
defeating Senator Hepburn for the United States senate at the last
legislature Accepting the republican state convention endorsement
which "a the forerunner of the direct primary law. Senator Hey
burn was so much opposed to the primary law that his defeat Wa
imminent At the hands of the people. It was understood that both
Governor Brady and MI. oNen were eagerly receptive candidates for
the position, which neither could have accepted with honor. A later
Investigation has satisfied the Recorder that Mr. ONeil was the rock
on which the combination broke, and that he he is to be held guilt
less of what would have been IN act of treachery. Outside of all
other evidence. Mr.. ONefl has given his word that he refused to ac-
the chance; the Recorder takes his word, knowing through long
that his word is good.
The Recorder has been classified as a Brady" paper. 1t is, to the
extent that as al honorable publication it must credit him for what
there is good OF good intentioned n his administration. But
there is n Of Mr.. Bradys money in it-nor ONeirs. either-not