The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1911-03-31
NOMINATIONS MAY STILL BE MADE
BY "WRITING IN" THE NAMES
Storm Centers About Capps and West for Mayor Tn.
Backfoot Optimist Favors Capps--The
Idaho Republican Prefers West
BATTLE OF BALLOTS WILL BE CLOSE

or money, no charges of dishonest,
J made, no varying from the line o.
duty and policy laid out by the citi
zens platform, and instead of having
deficiencies there was money left.
Under these conditions there Ii
strong reason back of the wish to
endorse Mayor West for reelection
1t is an accepted rule with public
} servants that when an official is faith
full and true, the constituency show
their appreciation by bestowing a
second term, not on account of the
salary of the office, for the public
officers are not generally source of
profit, and certainly not in this case
for the salary of the mayor was fixed
by the present administration at $3.50
year, and it is mere pittance for
the vast amount of time he is called
| upon to devote to the city during
the construction period which began
with his Inauguration and is still on.
A very unjust criticism is being
made against the mayor for his parti-
cipation in the division of the county.
County division has been a bone of
contention for more than twenty
years and each year more and more
people in the south end of the county
favored division. With the introduc-
tion of the direct primary system of
nominating officers a situation arose
that was rather alarming to those
who studied the situation carefully.
1t was this: That part of the county
having a mere majority of votes
could nominate all the officers, ex-
cepting commissioners, from their
own locality, and it was plain that
under these circumstances the north
end of Bingham county would rule
The rest, and economic conditions
would become worse than heretofore |
Mr.. West was appinted on commit
tee to work for county division, pro-
vided the committee could get an
agreement upon certain lines, and |
they secured just a little better divi-
sion of territory than was hoped for.
Al this time some talk is being cir
culated to create the impression that
he went out in his official capacity
and worked against the interests of
E'ackfoot and in favor of Idaho Falls,
but those who understand the situa-
tion and looked ahead to protect our
best interests have always been well
pleased with what the committee
accomplished.
Two years ago the liquor interests
opposed Mr.. Vests election on the
supposition that he would be radical
and disposed to persecute them in
business, but some of them concede
now that he respected their rights
and interests as much as they could
have asked for, and was satisfied with
closing the slot machines and putting
down gambling, and letting the state
in its local option fight handle the
heavy end Of the liquor fight, and not
involve the city government in ex-
pensive prosecutions with uncertain
results before. the search and seizure
law was enacted. .s.
This paper has kept in close touch
with the work of the administration,
and has kept the public advised of
what was done, and in reviewing the
situation it advocates the reelection
of Mayor West on his record. We
are glad to say that in his opponent,
Mr.. Capps, is man of good moral
character, and that there will be time
enough to elect him mayor two years
from now, when he will probably
have shown more interest in muni-
cipal affairs than heretofore, and If
his record as mayor for 1913 to 1915 t
is as good as the present incumbent's,
this paper will stand by him for re-
election If he is willing to accept the
honor.
Our further discussion Of these
appears on page A.