The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1912-03-08
WHO FOR GOVERNOR?

WHO FOR GOVERNOR?
Editor E. T. Barber of the
American Falls Press, has this tc
say in regard to the gubernatorial
situation in Idaho:
The name of Justice Ailshie is
again being used in connection with
the Republican nomination for gov
ernor of Idaho, and the belief is
current, as printed elsewhere, that
an effort will be made to induce him
to reconsider his decision not to be-
come candidate. 1t is not strange
if this is true. Mention the half doz-
en- leading citizens of the state and
the name of Mr.. Ailsnie will be one
of the number. He is big enough to
be an ambassador or a senator of
the United States, and that is the
kind of man in demand for gov
ernor of this state at this time. For
the first time in the history of the
party in this state has there been
such search for an ideal man to
head the ticket as is now in pro-
gress. There are a number of wor-
thy men in the field for nomination
for governor, but sentiment per-
sistently refuses to settle in favor
of any one of them, and the feeling
is growing throughout the state that
some one not now candidate will
be searched out, upon whom ma
jority of the people can unite. It is
unquestionably this condition that
again brings the name of Justice ALL
SHE to the fore. He meets almost
every ideal of candidate and under
his leadership the party would be
united as it has not been for years.
No claim to favor can be advanced
in favor of any of the candidates now
in the race which could not be more
consistently and forcefully urged in
his behalf. None rank with him in
ability, in general public esteem nor
in the knowledge of the needs of the
state. What can be urged against
him except that his fine sense OF
honor induced him to withdraw his
name because he feared that
groundless charge of ineligibility
that was urged against him might
embarrass his party-an act highly
creditable to him, perhaps, but one
which was at the time and has ever
since been, generally regretted. His
unwillingleSs to permit any ambition
of his to bring even semblance of
embarrassment to the party is the
only thing that stood between him
and practically unanimous nomina-
ton. Should the sentiment for his
nomination become strong enough to
convince him that the party will not
view his candidacy as his letter of
declination Enthusiastically indicated
that he feared it might, he would be
relieved from the fine sense of duty
that impelled him to withdraw his
name, and leave him free to enter
the race unincumbered. If the SEN
timent favoring his nomination con-
tinues to grow as it is now unmistak-
ably growing, the same sense of OBJ
legation it seems, should impel him
to hee d the party's call. If the
sentiment of the representative cit
liens of this part of the state is any
criterion, the only thing that will
prevent Mr.. Aislshie from being the
nominee and next governor of Ida
no will be his refusal to permit his
name to go upon the ballot.
This is not said as a reflection in |
any way upon the other worthy men
who are now in the race, but it is
a statement of facts which cannot be |
ignored. There is general demand |
for the kind of man to head the |
ticket of whom Justice Ailshie is an
excellent type, which is not found in |
those now before the public. While |
they are excellent men, there Is a |
factor which is peculiar to this cam
paign which seems to keep them at
arms length from popular favor.