The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-12-27


on the state government more than ir
the reorganization of the state land de-
parment. The general government
had given Idaho a heritage of land
the money value of which it would
Encouragement large part of this
trust had been dissapated. In his
campaign for governor Mr.. Goodine
constantly urged the necessity of re-
organizing this department, and the
development of proper system for
the conservation of this great trust
and its honest and economical ad-
ministration. Under the law proposed
by him and passed, the department
was reorganized, and the intention OF
governmentpartup? shrdlcmfwy ~cmf
the government in the gift to Idaho
of more than three million acres OF
choice land, has been carried out in
absolute good faith. The state land
department was organized with state
hood. Up to January l, 1905, the earn
ing OF the department aggregated
$l18,O4182. During the four years of
his administration the department
earned $402. 08l.23. During these four
years the expense of operation was
proportionately much less than prior
to 1905.
It is difficult in short letter to give
an adequate idea of the extraordinary
development of the state land hold
ings under Mr.. Gooding's chairman
ship of the state land board. The
special grants were filled, the states
timber holdings were conserved and
protected from fire, through the or
ganization of fire fighting associa-
tons, proper system of leasing
state school lands was inaugurated,
the state school and special grant
funds were properly invested, and in
innumerable ways Mr.. Gooding was
in advancing the inter
ests of this great trust His admins
tration of the state land department
was economical. The same thing
may be said of his administration Of
his own office and of all departments
under him.
Where so much was accomplished
It is practically impossible to even
barely mention many other important
matters which were carried out by this
great public servant. Throughout
his term as governor he proved him
self on Vulnerable occasions the mas
ter of the situation. The assination
Of Ex-Governor Steunenberg is a case
in point. The night of the murder
found the people of Caldwell appar-
emily paralyzed with horror. Mr..
Gooding reached the city within two
hours of the tragedy, and assuming
personal command of the situation he |
threw a Gordon of guards about the
city and inaugurated an investigation
which resulted in the arrest of the as
sassin within very few hours. |
Through the force of his personal
ity he vigorously prosecuted this MUIR
der case, and earned the respect for |
Idaho of all good people by the reso-
luton and fairness displayed in ferret
ing out the perpetrators and endeav-
oring to bring them to justice. The
strong citizens of the state have al
ways felt that in this hour of supreme
trial Mr.. Gooding exhibited the loft
lest and most self-sacrificing patriot
ism. During those days when it was
felt that the principle of respect for
law and order hung in the balance, l
was constantly in his company and
can testify to the complete devotion
with which he dedicated himself to
what he regarded as the most impor-
.ant possible public duty.
Another occasion when Mr.. Good
ing showed evidence of his fitness
for leadership was when the admins
ration building of the state univer-
'ity was destroyed by fire. He at
once went to Moscow, and although
here was no funds with which to re-
build, under his advice and sustain
ng authority the board of regents
began rebuilding, classes were re-
'umed in temporary quarters. A friend |
% education, at the succeeding legis-
alive session he was instrumental in
securing funds with which to enlarge
md improve the equipment at the
until now Idaho is one of |
he best equipped states educationally |
n the Union.
One thing that must be said for Mr..
sooding is that he at all times labor
ID to be servant of the whole peo-
lie. He was the first governor in
IDAHO to recommend in his message
ontrol OF public transportation cor
He fought openly and
'igorously for the enactment of such
and has continued his eff
orts in that direction as private
itizen. He has always been believ-
r in the regulation by law of all
operations having a monopoly of
he necessities Of fife.
Although favoring the regulation
{ such corporations that the people
lay secure better service at reasona-
le rates. he has never opposed the
ight of such corporations to do bust
ess with profit and fair degree of
berty, subject to the greater right
the people to wisely and justly con-
'ol the avenues of trade. There has
zen no bitterness attached to his eff
,rts to secure regulative legislation,
ut he has not neglected any opportu-
ity to advance legislation for the
onest control of corporate interests
this state.
He is not an opponent of capital,
1t its champion. and has done as
UGH as any other man to induce the
vestment Of eastern capital in the
.velopment of the resources of Ida
}. It was during his service as gov