The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-01-13
CAUCUS OF REPUBLICANS ON
MONDAY
Plans to BE Perfected for Enacting
Important Legislation at Present
Session
Boise Statesman

heDuDllCdu ScudlOio anu lOplSoSh'
atives will hold the most important
caucus of the session Monday evening,
SO far as legislation is concerned. 1t
was intended to hold this caucus last
night, but so many of the members
wished to confer with their consti-
tuents that Monday night was the
time fixed. Nor will this caucus be
confined to members of the legislat-
ure. 1t has been decided to call in
members of the state committee and
other prominent leaders, in order that
all elements in the party may be in
duced to pull together.
State Chairman Charles L. Heit-
man regarded this caucus of so much
Importance to the future welfare of
the party that he consented to remain
over and attend, althoughhe had in
tended to leave for his home on
Thursday. Other members of the
state committee have prolonged their
stay in the capital for the same rea-
son.
1t is the general understanding that
this caucus will thresh out number
of proposed measures. The object is
to put them in such shape that all
party members can support them. A
general party platform will be map
ped out, and strenuous effort will be
put forth to have the Republican
members of the legislature work as
the Republican state platform.
There is division of sentiment in
the party on the two vital issues-the
public utility commission and the sub
| mission of a prohibition amendment
to the constitution. These are the
points of divergence. The platform
Republicans are in a large majority,
but whether they will make arbitrary
use of their strength is a matter to
be determined by the caucus.
A strong and far-reaching public
utilities law is demanded by the plat
form Republicans. A commission
much broader than railway commits
sion is advocated. Many predict that
the measure will go through the leg
islature
On the liquor issue there is more
division. Practical Republicans urge
that their partial defeat last fall was
due to railway commission and pro-
hibition, and that unless they get
away from these issues they will meet
still greater defeats in the future. Of
course, the corporations and the liquor
interests are stirring up this senti-
ment as much as possible. Fear is
expressed that the Republican forces
cannot be held together on these
Issues in either house or senate. In
the senate a loss of three senator's
on the liquor issue is already admit
ted. AS it will take two-thirds of the
tota, or 16 votes, to pass measure
providing for constitutional amend
ment, big gain must be made from
the Democratic to make up the loss
OF Republican senator's. In the house
the situation is just as complex.
There is also a strong sentiment
among Republicans in favor OF a rad
ical reform of the primary law.
Sentiment has not crystalized in the
party on the reforms to be demanded.
but the question is certain to come
before the caucus in a positive form.
This is equally true as to the attitude
the party is to hold with reference to
the investigation of state officials and
boards.
If the Republicans have their way,
the rules and regulations of the state
board of health, contained in Bulletin
No. 5, issued by Dairy, Food and San
itary Inspector James H. Wallis, will
be put through as iron-clad laws.
Hitherto violators have lodged con-
viction under the plea that criminal
prosecution cannot be obtained under.
rule or regulation, so if has been
determined to turn those measures
into law that can be enforced.
In this connection it is practically
certain that Wallis, who is tempo
rarily serving as chief clerk in the
house, will continue in office as food
commissioner. The board of health
stands to man for his retention. He
has made many enemies, some of
them wealthy and influential, through
his strict enforcement of the sanitary
and food measures, but adverse politi-
cal pull" has so far failed to dis
lodge him. Because of Wallis record
on prosecutions, 1t is believed that
any effort Ito throw him out would
result disastrously for his enemies. as
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