The Grangeville globe. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho) 1907-1922, 1915-06-10
The Old Politician
Boise. Idaho, June .. 1915,

80, as has Governor Alexander by
- tature to issue a proclamation
- Memorial Day. His departure from
~ time-honored custom is without a
-.sce5ent in the annals of the states
SS.storv and considered as it is as an
.ns,lt to the old soldiers. condemnation
- HE act is upon the lips of all. This
andemnation is confined to no party
~. class. but is general, and especi-
III, do the old soldiers deeply resent
That they regard as a deliberate in
s,,I+ 10 them The consensus of opin-
-, is that Governor Alexander was
.,asved at not being invited by the
IA soldiers to deliver the Memorial
ADDRESS. and that his insult was in
retaliation for their failure to give
Rim prominence, which he is ever seek,
,ng through delivering addresses at
n,cnics and preaching from the pulpits
~ All churches which win extend him
an invitation.
Leaders in his own party, however,
conce6e that he has made a grave mis-
take in this instance, for not only in
Roise but throughout the country,
citizens are greatly exercised over his
course and are unsparing in their con-
demnation of It. His action is regard
Cd 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 poll
tteaI sagacity than to have brought up
on himself such general criticism. Mem
bers of the Grand Army. sons of vete-
rams and ladies belonging to the
Woman's Relief Corps are extremely
indignant, and 1t is freely predicted
that In all parts Of the state, this
sentiment will be shared in by men,
bers of these departments. No ex-
PLANTATION, It Is contended, can be offer
ed by the governor for setting aside
a precedent based upon patriotism, the
observance of which is generally de-
manded. This incident has been the
one subject of comment in Boise for
the past several days and because of
the extreme indignation among leaders
among the old soldiers, it is feely
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 investigated the feasibility
and the approximate cost of the diff
ferent routes for his proposed North
and South railroad, takes the position
that from New Meadows to Lewiston
via Salmon and Snake rivers Is the
most practicable route, that it would
be one hundred and seventytwo miles
in length and that its cost would be
seventy-five thousand dollars a mile
or a total cost of twelve million and
nine hundred thousand dollars with the
cost of equipment added to this amount
The lowest possible interest of this
sum of bonds would be about five hun
dred thousand dollars annually, and
1t Is generally conceded that a consti-
tutional amendment providing for their
issue would be buried beneath an av-
alanche of votes when presented to
the voters of the state at the next
general election, so 1t develops that
there is as little in the governor S
promise of a North and South railroad
as there was in his estimate that he
had saved the state a million dollars
which is now very generally taken as
joke.
In all sections of the state, it has
become plain that its chief executive
Is something of an advertiser and that
his advertisements are not always bas-
ed upon facts. In this connection, II
Is to be noted that the governors eff
fort to build himself up politically
through utilization of the churches is
arousing considerable friction among
some Of the church members who hold
that in delivering addresses to the
churches, Governor Alexander is doing
so for political effect and that to per-
NIT him to do so Is to desecrate the
church and lower 1t to the level oil
pohtics. At one point so strong was
one individuals conviction that through
the churches, Governor Alexander was
seeking advertising for political pur-
pose that he served notice on his
church that so far as he was concern
Cd he would not be party to such 9
farce and that in the event the COVER
nor was permitted to address thai
church that his support would be with
drawn.
This view of the governors course
Is fast assuming proportions and nj
little doubt is expressed as to the
governors ability in continuing to make
The churches parts of his advertising
bureau. Through his speaking at pic
mes and delivering church addresses
Governor Alexander is away from his
"llce a large part of his time and
as result of this, board meetings are
aeayed until his return and men com
ing from different parts of the state
70 secure official action from the COVER
nor are necessitated to remain at tht
capital on expense for days, and much
complaint Is heard in reference t
'ne imposition upon the state and it,
cirizens through the governors politi
cal playing.
II develops that there was no foun
uaton for the story published by thu
soVernors political organ, the Capital
news, to the effect that DIR. Worth
ington, of Ross Lake, had repeated!
vailed the attention of DR.. Falk, thu
secretary of the State Board of Health
20 violations of the law in reference
% the practice of mtdwives and tina
sne latter ignored the complaint made
satisfactory reports are being receives
nd a