The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-01-14
CAPT. DAVIS FIRES FIRST
GUN IN PRIMARY
CAMPAIGN
WILL FIGHT FOR PURIFIcA-
TON OF POLITICS AND
GOVERNMENT IN STATE
OF IDAHO.
Delivers Interesting Address Outlin-
ing Position at Nampa-Will Seek
Republican Observation-Disclosures
to Reform State Land Board and
Other Affairs of State.

|
to Reform State Land Board and
Other Affairs of State.
| Boise, Jan. l2-Capt. E. G. Davis
will fire the opening gun of the Re-
publican primary campaign at Nam
pa, tonight He is to speak at the
Episcopal parish house at eight
o'clock this evening, taking as his sub.
ject, The Undertaking Cause of Bad
Government in Idaho" the title imply
ing that there is room for improve
ment in the government of this state
Evidently the Captain has not been
convinced that the Democratic admin
lstration has been an entire success.
he cure-all has not come I'D to ex-
pectations. Captain Davis is an in
teresting speaker and whatever he
may say in his Nampa speech will
command attention. He is one of the
most thorough men in public life in
the state of Idaho and is master of
any subject that he may attempt to
discuss. He has had exceptional op-
portunities of observation, having
been member of the legislature,
secretary of the Republican State Cen
trail Committee secretary to Governor
Halnes and Assistant Attorney Cen
eral. 1t is premused that the Captain
will make formal announcement of
his candidacy for the Republican nom
ination for Governor and the platform
upon which he purposes to stand.
The activities of Captain Davis will
undoubtedly have the effect of spur
rIno the other ,cD;r,ote 4
we may look for an early and an in
teresting Republican primary cam
paign. Up to this time Senator D. w.
Davis of American Falls has exhibited
the greatest activity, which activity
he must now increase or let his name
sake take the lead. Among the other
presumed aspirants, Lieutenant Gov
ernor Taylor has gone no further than
to declare that in due time he would
make formal announcement. but that
he was to be considered in the race
until the primaries closed Nothing
has been heard OF Senator Crum fur
Their than that he had the subject OF
becoming a candidate under advise
ment. Governor Haines is an inter-
ested spectator of what all the others
are doing and seems entirely content
to let the matter rest that way until
next spring.
Van Deusen for State Auditor.
Clarence Van Deusen, candidate for
state auditor on the Progressive ticket
last campaign has been announced as
anxious to make the race for the same
Office as a Democrat this year. Mr..
Van Deusen with c. o. Broxon. can
didate for state treasurer, put up the
principal part of the Progressive
campaign fight in 1914. Mr.. Broxon
is now one of the official family of
the Democratic governor of the state.
The Democratic contingent of the
Progressive party is losing no time
in getting back to natural affiliations.
Along the same line of political trend,
it is to be noted that the National Pro-
gressive party has called its national
convention to meet at the same time
and in the same city as the National
Republican convention. A straight
out, old fashioned fight between the
Democrats and the Republicans seems
certain this year.
Secretary Some Collector.
Automobiles are proving juicy
source of revenue in the state of Ida
no. Secretary of State George R
Barker. reports the collection of $l2l,-
$500 from that source for the year
1915, as against $58,57o.75 in 1914
Three or four years ago the tax rev.
enue from automobiles was an insign-
ificant sum. Today this property is
one of the big revenue producers OF
the state. 1t amounts to sum nearly
equal to one-fourth of the amount oil
taxes levied directly by the state for
state purposes, but it is not used for
general expenses. Under the presen,
law two-thirds of the amount collect
purposes and the other third goes in.
to the state highway fund The auto
owners OF the state zap snug sum
directly for good roads, the total
amount, or $121 $500 in addition to
their other taxes for similar purposes
The number of machines registered
in 1915 was 1859, as against 3,742 in
1914. 1t is expected that the number
will go to 10000 this year.
Although the new highway law
doubled the amount of clerical work
in that department of the Secretary oil
States Office, without any additional
appropriation to take care of it, Score.
tary Barker has taken care of the in.
creased business without any addition
of clerical help. This he was able tc
do owing to the efficiency of his as,
sistants and the installation of new
systems to cut down the clerical work
The revenue collected through the
office of the secretary of state is now
one of the big factors in the state.
financial system. The fees, the cor
poration tax. and the automobile H.
censes run I'D into the hundreds Of
thousands. and Secretary Barker con.
ducts the Office with the same mum.
Der of assistants that were employed
when the amount of business trans.
acted was much less.
David Not a Candidate.
There was a rumor af1oat a few