Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1914-07-17
COUNTY REPUBLICANISM.

Elk River Sentinel: AS the Sem
tinel has said time and again the
voters should pay no attention what
ever to mere party label in selecting
county or local officials; they should
in every case vote for the bset quail
fed man as their judgment may de-
termine. That means that, taking it
by and large, in every part of the
United States except the former slave
territory in the south, three-fourths
of those elected should be republic
cans. 1t will be admitted that three
fourths Of the capable men, the lead
ers in nearly every locality outside
the south are republicans. For fifty
years this has been true.
. But parties do not present their
best men in every case, partly be-
cause the best men have affairs of
their own that demand their time and
attention and partly because the very
qualities that make man desirable
public servant also make him unpopu-
lar. The duty of party is to put
up as its representatives the best men
available, but likewise men who have
q reasonable chance for success.
Clearwater county is normally re-
publican, but the democratic candi-
dates got most Of the votes at the last
election. The reasons are not ap-
parent to those not acquainted with
the tangled neighborhood rows of the
southern end of the county; many OF
the republican nominees were capable,
genial men who would have made good
officials. Their defeat was a sur
prise. The republicans Of the Elk
river region were and are principally
interested in the Legislative state
and national tickets, while the coun.
ty organization practically abandoned
those tickets to their fate and scram-
bled for lot of petty local positions.
The Orofino Republican, at that time
managed by w. G. Forsman, tried
to curry favor with the Progresssives
for the county ticket alone, thereby
aleniating the loyal and true republi.
cans and inviting defeat. Its course
was apparently acquiesced in by the
county organization; at least no pro-
tests were heard.
That is all ancient history now, but
it carries its lesson.
The republican ticket must be made
up of real republicans, men who
had neither part nor lot in the Pro.
gressive councils, men who Loyalty
supported the national and state tick.
cts. Every man whom there is rea.
son to suspect of treachery and dis
honor, active or passive, will b.
beaten. That is matter the rea
republicans will make it a point Of
attending to.
As before stated, the voters should
pay no attention whatever to the mere
party label in selecting men for non.
political county Office, but SHOULD
choose whom they believe to be thu
best. A corollary to this is that eaci
party should nominate men who arr
capable and who are not so distastefu
to the voters as to render their defeat
certain. The republican county
ticket will help the state ticket if il
is properly made up and will hurt il
it is not. Therefore the Sentinel has
a right to demand a Republican count,
ticket composed of men of good char
acter and some ability, men not un.
popular at home nor unable to favor.
ably impress strangers, men who act.
lively supported the national and state
tickets in 1912, ard who, in short,
can be elected. Geographical dis.
elimination ard factionalism are al
fatal to success IS lack of the quail.
tiles first enumerated.
The republicans of the Elk River
region have neither friends to reward
ror enemies to punish. Like ether
voters their prejudices and MOTORS
are often stronger than their judy
ment and no se lsible party organiza-
tion will court defeat by wanton "
fouting them.