Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1916-02-25

evident to all who have kept IN
touch with political conditions in
this state. The situation is thus
graphically pictured by the Boise
correspondent in his last weeks let
ter to the Lewiston Tribune, the
leading democratic journal of Ida
no:
War to the knife, the knife to
the hilt and the devil take the hind
most is ON for control of the demo-
cratic organization in this state. !
hinted at this some weeks ago in
calling attention to the fact that
Chairman J. T. Pence and his ad-
visors had decided to ignore the
plank in the national platform de-
manding a primary election in each
state for the selection Of national
delegates and member Of the ma
tional committee.
Since then the situation has devel-
oped. Jerome j.. Day of Moscow
and Wallace, Is now openly in the
race for national committeeman
against Robert III. Elder of Coeur
d'Alene, the present incumbent, and
the fight is on. Ravenel Macbeth,
the perpetual senator from Custer
county and secretary Of the Idaho
Mining association, is leading the
fight for Day. He asserts that
there is general uprising in all
parts'o the state against the pre-
sent regime and that his man will
win in a walk. Day has been in
Chicago for some past in connec-
ton with some scheme to finance
Governor AIexander's north and
south railroad, but even during his
absence the campaign in his behalf
has been pushed forward with tire
mendous vigor.
But the fight il not to be confined
to this one point. On the contrary
Chairman Pence Is to lose his scalT
also If the plans of the insurrectors
go through. The man picked K
succeed Pence is Arthur M. Bower
of Twin Falls. q pretty strong maj
for the place. He is a lawyer, hai
served in the state senate and mad
the race for seat on the state 81
preme bench against Justice Stew
art in 1912. He has many element
Of strength as a politician and ha
been in open opposition to the far
tion in power since the nominatio
and election of President Wilson.
In every place in Idaho wher
there has been a postmaster or othe
federal officials appointed there is
hotbed Of revolt, large or small
against the men responsible for Il
making of the appointment. Tn
would be true no matter who W;
the winner in the scramble for Il
plum. There were not enough |
the good things to go around amor
the faithful, and in almost evel
case wnere one member Of the par
is elated over his victory. there a
q dozen disgruntled over their d
feat. This is one of the curses
the spoils system. 1t is charge
too, that in many instances Ed
and his kitchen cabinet were aut
cratic in the making of appoil
ments-that they put men in off
with a view to the strengthening
their political. machine. and not W
a view 20 the betterment of the pl
lie service, or even with a view
satisfying the influential party me
bers in the particular community
It is unfortunate for Elder I
Pence, furthermore. that in most
stances the men who secured
u jobs are now lying dormant WI
the men who were turned down
out with knives, tomahawks |
bludgeOns. Elder is charged
with the federal appointments I
have been made. while Pence
cursed and execrated for the sins
smission and commission of
state administration the nj
of many he Is made the goat for
vagaries Of Governor Alexander.
And 50 the fight is on and it
misses 70 be dandy. The pCelimis