The record. [volume] (St. Maries, Idaho) 1913-1918, 1915-09-07
Tuesday September ?, 1915
REPUBLICAN, PARTY IN BAD
WAY.
caldwell Tribune, Rep.


Laying aside all pretence the |
Republican party in Idaho is in
a precarious condition. The !
people of the state have lost their |
confidence in the party because
Republicans elected to Office have
basely betrayed the trust reposed
in them. The open betrayal Of
trust was that of Allen. Allen
was found out, tried and convict
ed, by the Republican party itself.
One would naturally think that
after this evidence of willingness
to cleanse itself the people of the
state would have greater conh-
dence than ever in the integrity
Of the party. We find no such
confidence manifest anywhere.
The people believe that the dis
closures i'm the Allen case and the
conviction of the criminal were
forced upon the party. Allen was
repudiated by the Republican par
ty because reputation was com
PEELED by public O pinion. Dis
closures which occurred about
the same time and since lead the
people to believe that the cleans
ing administration touched the
surface only. The accomOda-
tions which were shown to exist
among the officials force the con-
clusion that a pact exists among
Republican officials which pro-
vides for present and future ac-
comodations.
We find at the present time that
places of emolument, if not of
honor, have been found for an
ex-secretary of state, and ex-clerk
in the auditors Office and for a
man, precedents unknown. We
find that in spite of promises and
threats Of removal an official re-
mains in Office, and in face of the
open charge that members of the
state land board dare not effect
his removal. We know that this
official some months ago was del
inquent i'm interest on a loan made
him by the state We know that
the transactions of the state land
board are the heaviest load the
Republican party has to carry;
that not many years ago a regis
ter of the state land board was
removed from Office because col
fusion was shown to exist be-
tween him and certain irrigation
companies; that Carey act pro-
jects, undertaken under direct au-
thorization and direction of the
state land board, have fallen to
pieces to the loss of innocent in
vestors; and are today a disgrace
to the state. The whole charge
is summed up thusly: the affairs
of the state of Idaho are made
to accommodate themselves to the
advantage of office-holders and
their friends. 1his is graft, in
sidious, but none the less repre-
hensible.
The Tribune does not believe
that conditions are as bad as
some might infer. However,
that is beside the text We are
discussing the condition of the
party in Idaho-its chances of
success at the next state election
We say frankly, that in our opin-
ion the Republicans will not elect
man on the state ticket, unless
steps are taken TO remove the
odium that now attaches to the
party. The Republican party
must go before the people at the
next election with clean hands
It must be above suspicion. II
cannot win with explaining, apol-
igizing and expostulating II
must present a clean record. The
record is more important ever
than the candidates. The danger
TO the Republican party is in it:
achieved weakness rather than il
the strength of Alexander or any
one else who may be in opposi-
ton.
The membership Of the Repub-
lican party in Idaho is firm il
the faith; it is strong enough il
numbers; but it is not bigoteC
and will not hesitate at rebuke a
the polls.