The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-10-01
"The Man of the Hour"
(St. Maries Gazette

CsJ
In the course of the past few
months Senator w. f. Borah, on the
public rostrum and in the public press
has made it clear that the Republican
party of Idaho, as never before, is
being weighed in the balance by the
thinking people. The actions of the
party leaders are being closely scruni-
tized and any false step taken between
now and the next general election
may ring the death knell of the party
at the polls.
This regretablle state of affairs is
the outcome of the disgraceful dis
closures made prior to and immediate
ly following the last state election in
the offices of the treasurer and aud
itor; and the general loose way in
which state affairs had been handled
in nearly every department.
The election of Moses Alexander
was not an accident. Rather, it was
in rebuke of party men and party
methods, administered by members of
the Republican party, and the wonder
is that any of the Republican candi-
dates were elected.
Idaho today, is as strongly Repub-
lican as it ever was. In fact it is more
so because of the effect the mal-ad-
ministration of national affairs affect
ing the state by the party in power.
1t may be said that the primary
election system of nominating candi-
dates to public Office is at fault and
that the rank and file of the party is
responsible for the men selected for
public Office This is no doubt true
in part, but party leaders, those who
have the facilities at their command
for bringing men into prominence and
singing them out for recognition and
as being fit for the handling of public
affairs, have just as large an influence
as ever and share the responsibility
with the masses, because of their di-
recting power.
This being the case, IT behooves the
leaders of the Republican party to be
careful, especially at this time when
every move they make will be regard
ed with suspicion, as to the calibre of
the men they recommend for election
to Offices of public trust; also the
character of the legislative measures
they may seek to bring into being.
Because man is gifted speaker
and possesses the knack of making
himself popular by an ingratiating
handshake, kissing the babies or is a
free spender about election time. is
no guarantee that he would be a
good man in office The public are
getting tired of such. The time has
come when the rank and file of the
voters place character and abilit
ahead of an ingratiating manner. The
rank and file of the voters are doing
their own thinking more and more
every year and while they are glad to
consider arguments for or agains
their opinions, yet they reserve the
right to vote for the men whom tn>
believe to be best fitted for the
hce.
Hence it is that public sentiment i'll
Idaho is crystalizing strongly in favor
ct MIR. c. L. Hoffman OF Kathdrum
for Governor. 1t is not because he Is
a 'drV" man, although that in itsel
would be strong recommendation to
more than fifty per cent of the voters.
but because he is an able man, very
splendid, clean Christian gentleman,
a man of sterling character, one in
whom the people could place implicit
confidence. And having said this
much what more can or need be said
that would add to the luSter OF his
character or to the desirability of hav-
ing such man as chief executive of
the state.
Although a northern man, being a
resident of Kootenai county, he is
known through the length and
breadth of the state. AS a public
spirited man should be has ever TAX
en- an active interest in state affairs
and in the politics of his party in the
councils of which he has ever stood
for civic purity, righteousness, clean
politics and the best interests of the
common people. If the councils of
Mr.. Hoffman and other like him had
been needed, it would not be neces-
sary for Senator Borah or any other
man to be going up and down the
state preaching clean politics.
Mr.. Hoffman is a staunch believer
in the principles of the Republican
oarty. especially in the doctrine Of