The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1912-12-13
AN OPPORTUNITY FOR IDAHO

were one Of its citizens appointed a
member Of the Presidents cabinet.
Infrequently are states as small as
Idaho even mentioned as having
available cabinet material. Only nine
states will be represented At all. If
a opportunity presents itself to
secure the appointment Of an Idaho
man in the cabinet Of President elect
Wilson. the entire state should lend
ito assistance. As the interests Of
this state are, as the interests of every
western state, mingled with the affairs
of the Department of the Interior to
greater extent than they are with
the affairs of any other governmental
department, this particular portfolio
naturally suggests itself and appeals
to our men Of affairs. They and the
people of Idaho have more transac-
tions with the Interior Department
than with any other branch Of the
national government. The public
public lands are under the jurisdiction
and the Reclamation Service is a
bureau of the Department. The ad-
ninistration of our land laws and the
vitalization of the Reclamation Ser
vice are of the greatest importance to
the state. The action taken by the
Caldwell Commercial Club in endors-
ing Governor James H. Hawely meets
with the approval of The Tribune and
we are convinced that this action will
be echoed by every commercial club
in Idaho.
It seems that Governor Hawley
has very good chance Of appoint
ment. President-elect Wilson realizes
that as the Department has to do
with the arid and public land states
the head of it should be familiar with
the conditions existing in those states.
It is impossible for eastern men to
realize the conditions or appreciate
the purposes Of the west. They seem
to have no grasp Of the situation. In
experience and lack of knowledge
are responsible for the blunders made
by the present secretary. Secretary
Fisher has never been able to under
stand the aims. purposes and ambi-
tons of the people of the western
states. Like too many others he Is
tinctured with the fadisms of Pinchot
and others. He does not understand
the reclamation of arid land; has
never been q pioneer in the develop
ment of q country; and. cannot have
a full sympathy with the people who
have. On the other hand Governor
Hawley has been pioneer; under
stands the development of an arid re-
gion; and is in sympathy with the PEG.
pie who are developing the west to-
day. As governor of the state he
knows as few men can know exactly
what Is needed by Idaho. What Idaho
needs is needed by every western
state. He could bring to Presiden,
Wilson knowledge and experience
that would be of incalcuable assistance
to him and of invaluable benefit to
those directly interested. The land
laws need amending; the reclamation
law needs changing; the bureau.
director needs amputation at the neck
and the forest reserve policy need,
heoric treatment. Governor Hawley
knows the changes that should be
made and how best to make them.
While Governor Hawley has a very
good chance of appointment, partisan
politics are being played by a number
of Idaho Democrats. The two fac
tons of the Democratic party are
jealous of each other. The appoint
ment of Governor Hawley would re-
duce the chances of other prominent
politicians to secure appointments
under the Wilson administration. As
none of these politicians are of cab
met size their plan is to throw the
Office of Secretary of the Interior to