The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1914-03-12
CLEARLY A POLITICAL eUoABoo.

CLEARLY A POLITICAL 5UoA6oo.
The question of Chief Justice Ailshies
eligibility as a candidate for United
States senator under the constitution
Of the state of Idaho, because of the
language used in Sec. z, Art of the
said constitution. which has been
brought forwark as land issue" by some
who are DESTROYS of throwing every
obstacle possible in the way of his can
didacy for Interior reasons, can hardly
be dignified with the title Of "a dis
cussion" in the sense of we'll drawn
debate In which the final result is In
doubt There is no doubt we believe,
In the mind of any reputable lawyer in
the state of Idaho on this question,
nor will there be In the mind of any
layman who will take up the law and
study 1t with an unbiased mind. The
Globe will be pleased to publish the
opinion Of any lawyer of standing who
holds that there is, or can be, an in
hibition under the constitutional pro-
vision referred to, of the candidacy for
United States senator of any state Of
fetal Justice of the supreme court or
otherwise. under the conditions govern
ing In this case
This "issue'' has been raised by some
Of the learned constitutional editors
Of the opposition press chief among
which is the Boise Capital News. whose
principle qualifications for passing upon
. matter Of this character IL the fact
that 1t II ''constitutionally' opposed to
telling the truth or allowing it's read
ers to arrive at q Just conclusion from
the facts on any subject where 1t has
been able to barter its editorial space
to the opposite side. or has an oppor-
enemy. or even UP some real or imagi-
nary score. Some two or three of the
papers of less prominence. but of more
truthfulness, have followed in the steps
OF the Capital News in the treatment
Of this subject Of eligibility, and have
shot almost as wide of the mark as
their journalistic leader, but. the Globe
cannot but believe. with more honesty
Of purpose.
Judge Ailshie's friends have no dis
position to evade or treat lightly any
question pertaining to his candidacy that
may be raised, no matter how trivial
or inconsequential 1t may seem, II 1t
win afford the public any enlightenment
or will give them a better viewpoint
from which to reach an honest conclusion
as to the relative qualifications and per-
sonal merits of the candidates between
whom they are expected to choose.
Therefore the constitutional provision
referred to is given that all may read
and consider 1t on it's merits. Sec. Z,
Art. Of the state constitution reads.
mo justice Of the supreme court
shall be eligible to any other office of
trust or profit, UNDER THE LAWS
OF THIS STATE, during the term for
which he was elected"
In the first place this is section
from state constitution, and Is in
tended to apply strictly to state matters
and cannot be made to apply to or
control anything outside of state
affairs.
The office of United States senator
h a federal office, in no wise under
control of the state of Idaho. or any
other state. No state has any voice
In prescribing the qualifications Of
United States senator. other than vo-
ting for or against him at the polls.
BY provision of the federal constitu-
ton, the senate as a body. alone has
the determining of the qualifications Of
its members; and should 1t conclude
that man was not eligible to seat
among it's members. though the voters
of the state from which he came, or
the state legislature, had elected him
by a unanimous vote. 1t could refuse
him a seat. No man has ever been
refused a seat in the United States
senate on the grounds which have been
raised in the case In hand. although a
a number have been given seats who
were elected under identically the same
conditions. This fact alone should
satisfy all well-disposed people, and also
should silence all cavilers who are claim
ing honesty of purpose In their con-
tentions-the others. of course. are i'm
mune. and will most likely continue on
their fixed course
The term for which Judge Ailshie
was elected to the supreme court ex-
pires naturally the first of January.
1915, some two months before he could
possibly be seated and assume the duties
OF United States Senator. There could
be no possibility of confliction or the
overlapping Of the two offices under