The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1915-05-28
CONSTITUTION FORBIDS
STATE BUILDING
NEW RAILROAD
CAPTAIN DAVIS DOES NOT
THINK AMENDMENT TO
STATE CONSTITUTION
WILL BE MADE
Republican Victory in State and Ma
ton Predicted in 1916-Party is
United and Harmonious-Clean
Ticket Must be Placed in Field if
Party is to Win.
Especial to Caldwell Tribune.)

Especial to Caldwell Tribune.)
Boise, May 26.-Capt. E. G. Davis,
Assistant Attorney General, and by
virtue of his Office legal advisor of the
Public Utilities Commission, is back
from his trip to the north where he
accompanied the commission. The
Captain gave The Tribune representa-
tive an interview which throws some
very interesting light upon the north
and south railroad proposition. and
brings out some points not we'll I'M
derstood by the general public, but
was rather backward about discussing
politics. He talked very entertaining
ly about the north and among other
things, said:
Il have just returned from north
ern Idaho, the greater part of which
| had never seen until making this
trip with the Public Utilities Commits
sion.
Il was greatly impressed through
out with the wonderful resources of
that section of the State, and could
not help feeling the great necessity
that exists for closer and better com
munication between north and south
Idaho. Because of this fact, the cur
rent discussion relating to the build
ing of north and south railroad may
ultimately lead to the creation of a
sentiment favoring the construction
of such road directly by the State
If privatec apital for such purposes is
not forthc coming. In discussing this
important matter, | found that most
people are unaware of the limitations
under which the State is laboring in
this matter. 1t is geenrally supposed
hnf 10 rsx 20 koI
ton could not be found easily at the
present time when railroads are ex-
perlencing such difficulty in raising
money for lines where the traffic is
already waiting, and there seems to
be very general belief that the legis-
lature could be called in session and
provide for raising money by the sale
of State bonds, or by guarantying the
company for this road. The fact has
very generally been overlooked thai
under our constitution. as it stands al
present, the state cannot finance or ar
range for the financing of this road
and if the legislature were called ir
special session, the upmost it coulc
do along this line would be to propose
anamendment to the constitution un.
M 'iiiSll lAAS SldlS might
do what the constitution now forbids
Shuld the question be presented direct
ly to the people as to whether or MOI
they would vote to so amend the con
stitution | doubt very much if the,
would be found in the mood for au
thorizing the state to embark on sucI
an enterprise. Even in those parts O.
the north where the sentiment wa.
strongest in favor of a north anC
south railroad, found that there wer,
very few who believed for a momen
that the people would amend the con
stitution in the manner indicated were
the question submitted to them a
his time.
81 know very little about politica
conditions generally throughout tn
state. My visit was entirely legal ant
non-political. but could not, o
course, avoid meeting many prominen
Republicans from that section of tn
state and talk over the prevailing
conditions with them. l found tina
there is very general belief that tn
| Republican party will be reunited ant
triumphant in both state and natio
in 1916. | found prominent Repub
leans i'll north Idaho very much in
terested in the question of rehabilitat
ing the Republican party in this stat,
While they all regret the misdoing
of few Republicans who were elect
ed to Office, they are in no temper t
believe that their actions are to b
looked upon as a condemnation of tn
Republican party of this state. The
feel that absolutely clean candidate
must be forthcoming in the next pr
maries; that those who have bee
guilty of any form of wrong doin
must and should take the full const
ouences of their acts. and that tn
Republican party must stand for clear
straightforward, and honest admin.
tration of state affairs along such line
as will tend to re-establishing Idah
in the place it should occupy in tn
business and financial world. The
feel | believe as do Republicans {
) this and other parts of the state, tn;
with the right kind of candidates an
| enthusiasm that is bound to resu
from the issues of the national can
l paign, the party cannot fail to succet
in this state.
There is very little discussion an,
| where at this time OF candidates f
+ particular positions. and probab
! there will not be for some time
yet"