Evening capital news. (Boise, Idaho) 1901-1927, 1912-09-29

torney general, in which he puts some
burning questions at that candidate,
and also, incidentally. does some burn
ing of another kind He demands to
know of Mr. Peterson whether that
gentleman wishes the people to judge
his political morals by the standards
he sets up in his letter to Mr.. Gipson.
He also asks the candidate "A question
about his alleged connection with the
Medbury irrigation project and numer-
Gus other questions, and calls atten-
tion to what he terms the slippery and
evasive methods Of Peterson as spokes-
man "for the old school of politicians"
Mr.. Gipson's letter is as follows:
Hon. Joseph H. Peterson. candidate
for attorney general on the Republican
ticket.
my Dear Mr.. Peterson: Since read
ing your purported answer in the
Statesman of Tuesday last to my ques-
lions contained in a challenge addressed
to the candidates on the Republican
state ticket. have eagerly awaited re-
plies from other candidates associated
with you upon your ticket, but mas
much as no such answers have APP
peared up to this time, I take 1t for
granted that they have adopted your
reply as their own and are entirely sat
istied Herewith.
Like the slippery and evasive poll
ticians of the old school, for whom.
take 1t. you are well qualified to be-
come spokesman. ! note that in your
alleged reply to my questions, occupy
ing as it does some three or four COL
umns of the Statesman, you do not an
swer the questions l asked you. and
each of you, at all, but rely wholly and
solely upon the usual slippery and eva
sive methods Of all your stripe to dodge
the issues
II asked you. and each OF YOU to de-
fine your attitude upon just two points,
namely: To declare publicly and I'M
equivocally your support of the can
didacy of William H. Taft and that you
indorse absolutely and entirely the
methods by which his nomination was
obtained and to make AN open and
frank avowal of your hearty approval
or disapproval of the standpat and re-
dictionary platforms adopted at Chicago
and Boise, and statement that the
progressive policies as outlined only in
the Progressive national and state plat
JOIIIlS 10 llON, VI w, idNc yOuI dp-
prevail
Nov. those are simple, easily under
stood questions, yet ! now again chal-
lcngc YOU to quote from your former
answer the parts which reply to these
questions. I find nowhere in yorr en-
tire letter a single reference to the
name of Taft except wherein you re-
fer to my questions. Now, why do you
dodge? Why do you sidestcp, faIter
and fail down whenever the name Of
William n. Taft is put up to you?
1T is true you state that you are for
every candidate on the Republican.
ticket, but do you mean by that, that
Taft, having been dishonesty and
fraudulentIy nominated at Chicago is
not in reality and honestly Candidate
upon your ticket, and do you mean.
then, TO squirm out Of committing your
self directly to such a candidate? II
not, why did you evade a direct and
unequivoeal answer to my question as
asked you to make your reply? Does
the name, Taft, hurt you anywhere?
Il nowhere find in your long evasion
single reference to that portion of
my question which demands to know
whether you Endorse absolutely and
entirely the methods by which his
nomination was obtained This 10 a
vital part of my demand upon you for
upon your answer depends the opinion
the public shall be able to form Of your
abilities a. an attorney to see clearly
and fairly and honestly the points in
volved in q controversy before you
and your answer; also they will be
able to judge your ideas of political
morals, and hence your moral sense
upon public questions.
III you have answered this point
will you have the kindness to quote
that portion OF your reply which con
stitutes such answer?
"Again, will you also quote
that portion Of your reply which
constitutes your answer to the
request to know whether or not
you approve or disapprovs the
progressive policies A. outlined
in the Progressive national and
state platforms? have failed
TO find any such answer. You
undertake to conclude that our
party has no platform. Do you
wish the people to judge your
abilities a. an attorney seeking
to become attorney general Of
this state by your ignorance in
such . matter ~ this? Do you
wish them to understand that
in handling The states legal bus.
insss, you will answer the COM
plants Of Iitioants and claim
ants against the state by simp-
" asserting your ignorance?
That appears TO ~ your atti-
tude 40 candidate. What right
have the people to conclude il
will b otherwise a. an offieiai7
ldaho has already been too
greatly afflicted with ignorance
In its officials.
you seek to distract attention from
The main Issues by an attack upon me
You know. as an attorney, that such
a course in a court OF law. marks thu
shyster and not the real lawyer. YOU
may determine for yourself which