The Blackfoot optimist. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1907-1918, 1914-01-29
POLITICAL LEADERS
STUDY ASTRONOMY

star-gazing, its several partias-Re-
publican, Democratic, Prog ressive, So
cialist and Prohibltonist-ende avoring
to read Alright the signs Of the times.
That there never has been just the
same kind Of political situation in
the state is generally admitted by all
party leaders. The Democrats appear
more confident than they have been
Tor years. The Republicans are hope
full Of reuniting, and the Bull Moosers
are determined to build up the third
party. While heretofore playing a
small part in state politics, the Prohi-
bition party will make its strongest
stand for statewide prohibition. Ex-
cept as its total vote shows gains
each election, the Socialist vote has
little bearing on the final election
outcome.
President Wilson carried Idaho by
a plurality of I'LL at the last cleo
ton in this state-a plurality greater
than that of the successful candidate
for governor-John M. Haines, Re-
publican, or 1864. On this showing,
and due to the conflict that is al.
ready being waged between aspirants
in the Republican party. the Demo.
Gratis confidently expect to divide Ida.
hos senatorial delegation and elect a
United States senator. An abstract
of the last general election vote in
this state gives some idea ofas'the
strength Of thsas three leading parties
Republican, Democratic and Pro
gressive President Wilson received
total vote of 1891 and Taft $3.50
while, without presidential electors
listed on the ballot, the Progressives
polled 25,627 votes for Roosevelt Ii
the vote for gubernatorial candidates
the Democrats and Progressves show
loss and the Republicans gair
over the presidential VOTE Haines re
ceived 35,056 votes, Hawley Demo
crat) 1892 and Martin (Progres
sive) 24,325.
Discount Progressives
There is a more perceptitle los
to both Democrats and Progressive
and a gain for Republicans in tn
vote registered for congressman
French Republican, received the high
est vote for any party candidate, o
53.342, and plurality of 23,164. smit
(Republican) received a total vote O
1851, or a plurality of 1898 Mitch
ell and Pugmire (Democrats) receives
3O,178 and 30,053, respectively, Will
Smock Progressive candidate TO
congressman received but 1906.
The strength of the three DOM
nant parties is really shown in tn
vote cast by them for state officers
and a fair comparison is considere
to be the vote fer secretary Of state
Clifford (Republican) leads with Al
$50; Daughters (Democrat) is sc
cond, with S1,428 and Bailey (Pro
gressive) is third, with 1911.
ASCpuDllSduS ClAlM ludl lie RI
gressive vote was far above norma
because Roosevelt was in the race
Many Republican party leaders ar
inclined to the belief that the Eul
Moose party will not poll over 500
votes at the next election When it /
considered that 25,627 voters wrote i
the names of presidential electors, O.
the ballot for Roosevelt, that 24,32
voters cast their ballots for Martin
that 1911 voted for the Progressiv
candidate for secretary of state, an
that the Bull Moose party was criE
pied with the head Of its ticket bein
blank. while there were no county O
aegislative tickets in the field, it ca
be seen that Republicans are incline
to discount the Bull Moose vote to
freely. This year the Progressives wi