The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-04-22
IDAHO COUNTY PAID THE TAX,
JUST THE SAME.

The Cottonwood Chronicle of recent
date contained an article on the White
Bird bridge veto. In which 1t seemed
disposed to defend the action OF Gov
ernor Alexander in vetong the bill
making the construction OF the bridge
possible. The Chronicle thinks the
Globe inclined to "bemean" the COVER
nor without just grounds, because he
vetoed the bridge bill which was dear
to the hearts of certain Grangevllle
citizens and necessary to their future
success and the carrying out OF their
promises" The Globe was interested
in the passage of that bill, as were
the citizens of Grangevile, for 1t is
badly needed by the people on Joseph
and bounced plains, and was deserv-
ing of a better fate, besides Gov.
Alexander had led those interested in
the bill to believe he would sign It
II passed, whether he made a positive
promise to that effect or not.
The point, however, which the Chron-
icle seemed to take exceptions to was
that the Globe accused the governor
of grossly misrepresenting Idaho coun-
ty as to the amount II raised for
bridge and road purposes In 1913. and
giving those false figures as the
basis which justified him in vetoing
the bill. The Chronicle, while admit
ting that the amount OF $4,000 claim
ed by Senator Sweet to have been ex-
pended by Idaho county for roads and
bridges for that year was practically
correct, counting In the work OF the
various highway districts, still 1t in
clines to defend the governor for quib-
bling as he did and laying our coun-
ty under a cloud, by giving to the
public the statement that 1t only ex-
pended the insignificant sum OF $5,09s.41
for roads and bridges for that entire
year; thus publishing us as unprogres-
eive and lacking In enterprise as
compared with other counties of the
state when we really were right up
In the front rank In road and bridge
construction.
II the governor had explained the
fact that 80 much money was expend-
ed In the various highway districts,
and left the public to judge II that
was not the same In substance as
for the same people to pay the
amount into the county treasury and
then have 1t paid out to the districts
for road and bridge construction, he
would have relieved himself OF the
charge of grossly disappearing us.
even though he did bubble. But that
would have taken from him the strong
reason which he gave for the veto.
He preferred to clear his skirts by
laying the false charge at Idaho
county's door rather than assume the
responsibility OF his own act.
All Gov. Alexander's apologists claim
In. awtA Low, 80 l. a
was technically right. and they try
to justify his unfair treatment OF this
county on such flimsy grounds A
man big enough and broadminded
enough to properly fill the office OF
governor OF state would never so be-
little the high office OF chief executive
by seeking out technical grounds for
misrepresenting one of the county sub
divisions over which he rules and
thus working 1t irreparable injury,
for the sole purpose OF justifying him
self in refusing public need which
three -fourths of the members OF the
legislature voted for. The fact that
there were some mistakes made In
Senator Sweets letter to the COVER
nor In the matter OF dividing up the
per cent OF taxation IN raising the
Ao~AA anu btiuec luno Ia NJ W1<t& 81
fects the sum total Of the amount rails
ed; the total amount raised IL the
only point involved. The ChNonicle
admits that 1t made practically the
same mistake when 1t undertook to
correct Mr.. Sweet. The fact OF the
matter is. Gov. Alexander did a small,
and what might be called contempti-
BILE thing, when he made such pub
lie statement about Idaho county as
he did. when he had the facts before
him and knew that they did not justi-
fly such a misleading conclusion as he
forced upon the public in his veto
message. And TO further emphasize
his narrowness. the governor, although
called upon to do so, has never at
tempted In any manner to correct the
false impression OF us which he has
given the people. by even explaining
that our county is pretty well organ
lied into highway districts and the
relation which those districts bear to
the general road and bridge taxation
Of the county