The Owyhee nugget. ([Silver City], Idaho) 1905-1984, 1910-11-03
Ha wIey-Hays Interview
Editor Nugget,
Silver City, Idaho.


Silver City, Idaho.
Dear Sir:
/ see that the Boise Statesman
has announced under big head lines that
had an interview with r. J. Hays, late
chairman of the Bannock County Repub-
lican Central Committee and formerly
Secretary of the Republican State Central
Committee, at Pocatello on Sunday last.
The statement is true that did have such
an interview and it is equally true that
Mr. Hays is one Of the main owners in
the large brewing establishment at Poca-
tello. | desire to explain how it was that
this interview came about.
In the campaign of 1908, l spent some
three weeks time in Eastern Idaho, urg-
ing the election of Mr. Alexander. The
Republican platform in that campaign
stood for local option, the Democratic
platform was silent on that proposition.
| found that in every place went that
the saloon element was solidly arrayed
against Mr.. Alexander and fayoring the
election OF Mr.. Brady. Each of the hq-
uor dealers interviewed stated that they
were dealing with R. J. Hays and had
been urged by him, both personally and
by letter, that in the event of Brady's
election there would be no local option
legislation and that Brady was pledged to
such a course. Three of these persons
showed me letters from Mr.. Hays to that
effect. | think can safely say that nine
tenths of the saloon vote OF southeastern
Idaho went to Mr.. Brady and the Repub-
lican ticket.
In view of the attitude Of Governor
Brady in this campaign, and Of the party
which he represents, upon the temperance
question, it became important to know
whether or not Governor Brady had au-
thorized Mr.. Hays to make such state
ments in his behalf in the campaign of
1908. Knowing Mr.. Hays to be truth
full man, although did not know how he
was standing in this campaign, ! address
sed him letter the early part Of last
week asking him whether or not Gov
ernor Brady had authorized him to make
the statement that he had made to the
liquor dealers in the campaign of 1905
had been travelling constantly after
writing the letter and had received no
answer; on Sunday last Mr.. Hays met
me at the Bannock Hotel and said that
be had received my letter and had not
answered it as he did not know where to
address me but did know that | would be
in Pocatello on that date. He stated to
me then that ne had been fully author
lied by Governor Brady during the last
campaign to make this statement that he
had made to the liquor dealers in var
ious parts of the State and that he had
worked diligently during the entire cam
paign in Governor Brady behalf, believ-
ing that the promises made would be
kept. And he authorized me, if | so de-
sired, to make public statement of this
fact and stated further that he would ver-
ify it by his affidavit if necessary. This
was the subject matter of the interview
which has been referred to in the news
papers and which lasted but few min
utes. As now have the authority OF Mr..
Hays to refer to this matter, shall do so
in addressing audiences during the re-
mainder of the campaign and if there is
any satisfaction to be derived from the
fact that did talk to this gentleman
upon this subject, our Republican friends
will have the privilege Of enjoying it to
the fullest extent.
As your paper is one Of the very few
newspapers in the State that has not
either through their loyalty to party, or
by reason of the lavish expenditure of
money by our Republican friends sought
to injure those running on the Demo-
cratic ticket, thought it proper to ad-
dress this communication to you with
permission to publish this as do not
presume it would be given circulation by
those who are opposing me in this con-
test.
j Respectfully yours,
Tanruc ausr