The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1914-07-17
WEEKLY REVIEW STATE
NEWS WITH OUR
COMMENT

o. H. Barber, deposed state game
warden, in an open letter to Governor
John NJ. Haines, reviews his admin
istration of the bureau. paying par
ticular attention to two charges that
have been made covertly. These
charges are that Mr.. Barber had per-
mitted much unnecessary travel On
the part of his deputies, showing care
lessness in the expenditure of funds,
and that he was profting by the In
stallation of particular kind of FISH
screen. Mr.. Barber denies both
charges. He states thata he has not
approved of any expenses incurred
which were not justified and that be
had in no manner pro6tted by the use
of the Utah screen. In his letter 10
the Governor Mr. Barber states shat
he had the authority to install fish
screens of such design and make as
he saw fit "and that this authority
would enable me to levy tribute up
on every screen installed if l saw fit
to do So" Mr.. Barber avoided any
suspicion of graft upon his part by
having the fish screen tested by a
deputy in the Office of the state en-
gineer's Office. The screen in question
was adopted upon the results of the
tests made by his deputy.
In order to make good game war
den man must be an enthusiast. He
must be heart and soul in the work.
We imagine that Mr.. Barber became
greatly interested in his department
and that when the screen was found to
do the work required he went about
its installation with enthusiasm. The
enthusiasm was not contagious. The
farmers who were called upon to foot
the bills looked upon the innovation
with that tired feeling which some
times overtakes farmers when called
upon in this manner. They protested,
and Notwithstanding Mr.. BARRIERS
statement to the contrary, we believe
he insisted. The farmers jumped to
the conclusion that this insistance be-
tokened graft. Farmers are a sus-
picious lot. Hence arose the runtos
which finally reached rue ears OF
Governor Haines. This version is
only a supposition on our part but it
has the earmarks OF reason.
No one who has known ex-Warden
Barber for any length of time would
imagine him guilty of graft. We
think there is little foundation for such
charge. Enthusiasm might be
charged. He is an enthusiastic man in
all matters in which he is interested.
The whole matter when siften down
will be found to be over-enthuiasm.
Governor Haines has not been kind
ly disposed toward Warden Barber
Tor some months so The Tribune is
informed by the knowing ones. The |
reason for this is that Warden Barber
has not been kindly disposed toward
the Haines' administration. With this |
feeling existing it is natural that the
Governor should not permit an ap-
polntee to continue in Office when |
rumors were floating about which re-
Elected upon his administration. When |
you get down to the fine point of 1t
the Governor has to shoulder the mis-
takes of his appointees. Such being
the case he had ample justification |
for removing Mr.. Barber even though |
he were convinced that the rumors
were absolutely groundless. But aside
from all matters of justification, Mr.. |
Barber should have resigned his of
nee when he found that he could not
approve of the manner in which Mr.. |
Haines was conducting the affairs of
state. The Governor looks to his of
fetal family for information and ad-
vice, and often in matters that in no
wise concern their individual offices
or departments. A man who does
not approve of the administration is
in no position to give sound advice or
furnish unbiased information. BY the
nature of things he cannot do his full
duty. Thus it comes that without
crediting the charges or giving
thought to the rurnors The Tribune
fully approves of the removal of War
den Barber.