The Oakley herald. [volume] (Oakley, Idaho) 1908-1961, 1915-06-11
Time Honored
Custom Is
Neglected.
Boise, Idaho. June 8, 1915.

'Nt A'''''Ot AbN % ! ~
| Special Service to the Herald -
Never before in the history Of
the state, perhaps, has one of its
Governors subjected himself 10
such general criticism as has Gov
ernor Alexander by his failure to
issue proclamation for Memoir
ial Day. His departure from the
time honored custom Is without
a precedent in the annals OF the
states history, and considered as
II is an insult to the old soldiers,
condemnation OF his act is upon
the lips OF all. This condemnat-
ion is confined to no party or
class, but is general, and espec
tally do the old soldiers deeply re-
sent what they regard as deli
berate insult to them The con-
sensus OF opinion is that Govern
or Alexander was peeved at not
being invited by the old soldiers
to deliver the Memorial address,
and that his insult was in retail
iation for their failure to give him
prominence, which he is ever seek
ing, through delivering addresses
es at picnics and preaching from
the pulpits of all churches which
| will extend him an invitation.
Leaders in his own party how
ever, concede that he has made
grave mistake in this instance.
for not only in BOISE, bnt through
out the country, citizens are
greatly exercised over his course
and are unsparing III their con-
|tlemnation OF it. His action is
regarded as being beneath the
dignity OF the governor of the
great state OF Idaho, and much
surprise is expressed that he did
not possess greater political sag
acity than to have brought upon
himself such general criticism.
Members of the Grand Army,
sons of veterans and ladies be.
longing to the Woman's Relief
Corps are extremely indignant.
and it is freely predicted that in
all parts OF the state, this senti-
ment will be shared in by men,
bers of these departments. No
explanation, it is contended can
be offered by the Governor for
setting aside a precedent based
upon patriotism, the observance
of which is generally demanded.
This incident has been tie one
subject of comment in Boise Tor
the past several days and because
OF the extreme Indignation among
leaders OF the old soldiess, it is
freely predicted that Governor
Alexander will find the patriotism
OF Idaho citizens and their loyalty
to the old soldiers such that they
will not overlook his insult to
them.
In it's report to the Governor,
the Public Utilities Commission
which by his direction investi-
gated the feasibility and the
approximate cost of the different
routes for his proposed North and
South railroad, takes the posit-
ion that from New Meadows to
Lewiston via Salmon and Snake
Rivers is the most practicable
route, that it would be one hun
dred and seventy-two miles in
length, and that its cost would
be seventy-hve thousand dollars
mile or a total cost OF twelve
million and nine hundred thous-
and dollars with the cost of
equipment added to this amount
The lowest possible interest on
this sum OF bonds would be about
| five hundred thousand dollars an
nually, and it is generally conced-
ed that a constitutional amend
ment providing for their. issue
would be buried beneath an ava.
Continued on Page 4, COL 4.