The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-07-15
BEGINNING OF THE REPUBLICAN
PARTYs REDEMPTION.

Lewiston Tribune. The manner in
which the Republican state central COM
mittee at its meeting In Boise Wednes-
day proceeded with the business In
hand Is encouraging for the rehabilita-
ton of party affairs, for which only a
beginning has been made the mere
TACT that 1t is beginning is indi-
cative of purpose and a plan. "A
new state chairman has been elected,
by unanimous and agreed vote, and in
the election the Mormon element is
displaced in favor of an element far
removed from that influence. In
personality. the new chairman rep
resents the best type of state citi-
zenship-a type that does not under
stand party or political intrigue and
trickery. but is In politics solely for
the promotion OF broad state interests
and public felicity. Not only has this
sort OF character been impaired to
the new organization, but It has been
authority to complete the organization,
whereby there is assurance that good
need not be admixed with evil, or a
good figurehead be shackled and nulli-
fled by evil associations. as is so Of
ten DONE
So good start has been made and
good purpose manifested. The pre-
sumption is further steps are contem-
plated that Will give the state
chance to redeem itself politically. 1t
Is fair to say, however, that II this is
accomplished 1t must be done by indi-
rection, by circumventing the statutes
and, in sense, the people them
selves. In other words. Chairman
Evans and Senator Borah must now
proceed to virtually do the nominating, |
else II the popular vote is left to it's |
own unguided will either some veteran |
of the Black Horse cavalry, or some |
leather-lunged mountebank with a new |
specific against Demon Rum will al |
most certainly accede to the public |
power and carry his like along with him |
to victory. The Tribune Is speaking |
seriously and not disparagingly or ex-
1t is merely stating the
facts, not with a view to discrediting
any cause but with view to enabl-
Ing every cause to procure its best
representation in public policy With
half dozen candidates, all strangers
to him, running in the primary on
the Republican ticket and on other
tickets. how is the average voter to
determine the safest and most COM
petcnt man among them for the place?
On the contrary, the tendency is to
make the selection for other reasons
Than fitness. merit or availability
Since the average voter is wholly
and essentially unable to make a dis
choice, he very naturally
adopts q process that comes nearest
% his range of vision. Usually this
axes a sectional form, in which the
most populous part OF the state makes
he nominations. Or some particular
ssue takes precedence over section
llism, in which the apostle OF a cult
wins over better men. Notwithstanding
he better men would have promoted
he same cult In the more business like
md effective manner. Few people
eally vote for the best man In any
went but prefer to follow their par
iality, their prejudice or their private
interest.
The only way then, as 1t seems,
pen of merit can be procured for the
tate service Is by organization, by
Elimination and by concentration. This
4 course, violates the spirit OF the
irect primary law. which contempates
he unassisted and spontaneous voice
4 the plurality as the only valid
rlterion of political merit. Equally
4 course. sensible men reject, or
hould reject with scorn any such fool
when 1t comes to so import
mt piece of business as manning the
'ublic service and prescribing the
tate policy. We hope the new leaders
an devise a method whereby honorable,
erious and competent men can be
rought forward in behalf OF their
arty and the state have the benefit
4 their abilities and their loyal en-
eavors, II such a thing is at all pos
ible under the ruinous system that
he people have saddled upon themselves
n their generous but mistaken ideals
t the popular government function.