The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-10-08
The State Press Comment

terence, as we'll as the Mormon eccle-
Slastlcal politicians. Each senator
was reported as having a preferred
candidate, Senator Borah's being Mr..
Srum OF Lewiston and Senator Brady
y. w. Davis of American Falls.
Meantime a second north Idaho can
dldacy has already appeared in the
person of c. L. Hoffman of Rathdrum
whose credentials, as shown bv litera-
ture now being circulated, are based
on good personal character and an
activity in the prohibition cause,
Other south Idaho candidates., in
Guiding that of Capt. f. C. Davis, are
yet to become definite. There will be
considerable field in the primaries.
according to the indications and the
precedent.
Under these circumstances, or under
any fairly normal circumstances, the
Tribune believes there will be no DIFF
hculty in foreSeeing the result of the
primary, the manifestation of the
peoples will in the manning of the
public service. This manifestation
points at this time and infallibIy
unless some political phenomenon
should intervene, to Mr.. Davis of
American Falls, for reasons that are
substantial and convincing. Being
Senator Brady's favorite means being
the favorite of the slate factory in this
state-the favorite Of the Mormon
hierarchy, of the Oregon Short Line
railway, Of the Republican old guard,
and of affiliated interests in north
Idaho. The Tribune makes no spe-
cial objection, in this connection, to
the choice or to the method of arriv-
ing at the choice. The probabilities
are that the interests which are max
ing the nomination are acting intelli-
gently and consistently. The Tribune
| has no reason to question that the
prospective nominee would, if elected
give a congenial administration OF
state affairs, or about as good as need
be expected under the present condi-
ton of politics.
At the same time it is not easy tc
see where the direct primary has the
slightest force or merit in these cir.
cumstances. The nomination is now
being made by less than a handful O.
men in secret session and any Other
nomination could be so made witt
equal facility. The peoples repre-
sentatives are not shown even the
poor courtesy of conference and rati
fication, as occurs in state conven
tons, nor are the candidates convic
tons and policies of any concern
save only that he is safe on anything
1 that may effect the interests and cal
be relied upon to take care of part,
considerations, as this particular ia
vorite is credited, rightly or wrongly
with doing in the recent prediction
state treasury scandals. 1t is not cas-,
to see where Republicans, perhaps o
as great or greater merit, are to fin,
their chances and prove their fait
if the avenues to public life are virtu
ally closed to them under this ney
dispensation.
The state press, including an infu
entail contigent of the Republica
press, has been earnestly Challenger
the power of the machine" to fur
) ther corrupt the public business c
: this state and to mislead, betray an
: 3candalize its citizenship. Senate
Borah has been a leader in maxim
? this challenge and in pointing out tn
t occasion thereof. Unfortunately ther
S no longer machine" that can b
2 spotted and made responsible. Til
/ direct primary has destroyed the la!
= vestige of direct responsibility whetl
G er of machine or faction or part
The new system places all the respor
' sibility and all the obligation and tt
duty squarely upon the people then
t selves, but does not disclose the in
s Dortant fact that the people must sti
r 'ook to some quarter for advice, fc
light and direction, and as at presel
t arranged this quarter now exists
O hat little handful of men who m
n last week in Pocatello. There tt
h spoils can be distributed as heretoto
r and the offices farmed out for yea
in advance to those to whom car
# 1aign debts are due, but it is dol
h cautiously and clandestinely He
# the people are still sifted as whe;
= the only difference being that it
, new performed surreptitiously, and
# the name of righteousness and r
form.