American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1915-12-30
IDAHO HAS MADE GREAT STRIDES.

One must look backward in order to gain a good view Of
Idaho's development. Twenty years ago Southern Idaho
contained few towns and there was little agricultural de-
%velopment. Going westward from Pocatello the only rail-
road stops were American Falls, Minidoka, ShOshone,
Glenn's Ferry, Mountain Home, Nampa and Boise. Am
erican Falls and Minidoka were of no consequence, only
places where the trains stopped for water or to let people
off to go omewhere else. There was practically no farm
ing from Pocatello to Nampa. Everything was cattle and
sheep. The great irrigation systems were not dreamed of,
and ldahOs development was dependent upon the stock
industry, numbering and mining. Irrigation a few. years
later entered into the development plans and approximate
.y 100000 acres have since been reclaimed and become
among he most highly productive of all western lands.
Dry farming next came to add its quota, and such pro-
gress has been made during the past ten years as to give
promise that the wealth coming from our dry farms will
soon exceed that from our irrigated lands and thus be-
come our greatest factor for progress.
Development has not alone been along material lines.
Twenty years ago Idaho was a wild western state. Gamb-
ling was recognized as a legitimate business and flour
ished in every hamlet. Gambling was conducted in the
open and the doors Of saloons never closed. In answer to
a sentiment that was countrywide, gambling was placed
by law beyond the pale OF responsibility. Inc state Would
be ruined, the gamblers said, and business langulsh. Meth
err has happened. Most of the gamblers left, and all to the
good of the state. Their places were taken by men vino
worked and created things of value. No one would think
now Of returning to open gambling nor to the social con-
ditiOns that prevailed then.
Saturday morning every saloon door in Idaho Will be
closed. In parts of the state that have never been dry
the same talk is heard that business will langulsh and the
town will die. But it will not be true. After a short time
things will become adjusted to the new order, legitimate
IL uSl1CoD Wul " " dhlNh w iIo hAlbN WIN iiOhSJ StS H"S
been worse than wasted. Labor will be augmented by
recruits from among those who have been idlers and legiti-
mate business will thrive as never before. Those who can
not adjust themselves to the new order will seek new fields
but their places will be taken by those of Industrious hab-
it's and a new era will have begun.
After the spasmodic endeaveor to defeat the prohibition
laws has subsidized, which may be a period of two or three
years, crime will become less frequent, court expenses re-
duced and the burdens of governmnt greatly lightened.
This has been true everywhere and will be true here. OF
minor infractions, particularly the sale of liquors, there
is likely to be a material increase. There will be some bent
upon discrediting the law. There is always a class who
affect to believe that laws were made for other people but
not for them. There are always some who demand the
privilege of ~disobeying such laws as do not suit them. They
do not reflect that should everyone adopt this course that
anarchy would reign. Ours is a government OF, for and by
the people, and the will of the majority is the law of the
land. This rule cannot be changed and a republican form
of government endure. 1t is the duty of all, therefore
to yield as gracefully when they are in the minority as
they would expect of others were conditions reversed
There is no middle ground. He who seeks the protection OF
law must yield obedience to law. The people have a right
to fix the conditions under which they live. 1t is the duty
of all to bow to the will of the majority. By so doing the
pathway of all will be smoothed. A good New Years reso
luton for all would be a solemn resolve to obey ali laws
Such a course will bring its own reward in the greater
satisfaction of living.
NOW is THE l M TO ACT