The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1916-06-02
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IdahOis history the past few years
has been replete with graft, corrupt
practice and misuse of political and
judicial power! The power of the
state has been used to back up pro-
moters' schemes, men have bought
political jobs with gold, and scound-
rels have made free use of the courts
to destroy rivals or others they did
not like. Boise is just now in the
throes of a flght to relieve the city
of the rule or mis-rule of an ele-
ment that has been undoing the good
of many years of development and
advertising of her natural resources
The city forged ahead of the country
and the state, and now it Is suffering
the natural consequences of that con-
dition combined with mis-rule and
abuse of power.
Eight or nine years ago some very
fine lands on the Emmett bench were
opened to settlement and a day was
set for the usual land drawing so
common In those days. People got
in line to select lands according to
the order of their privilege and the
first man when he made his selec-
ton, was informed that this particu-
lar piece had already been taken by
a state official. The same statement
was made regarding. several other
choice pieces and people were ex-
pected to stand for that thing just
because the state officials and the
promoters and members of the land
board stood by one another in this
favOritism. 1t made small pOliti-
cal scandal but not very many people
ever heard of it. The state super
intendent of public instruction was a
member of the land board and it was
said that this official was one of
those who had been permitted to
profit by the selection in advance of
the drawing. Frank Gooding was
governor and he and the state sup
erintendent were not such good
friends after that and it developed
into. open opposition. The state sup
erintendent frequently mentioned
what a fine farm she had on the
Emmett bench. Finally she married
Boise lawyer and they made their
home on the Emmett bench. 1t was
said from time to time that not all
lawyers and ex-state officials were
successful farmers and this case
seemed to emphasize the statement.
They went into the hog business
rather extensively and that was a
disappointment. They secured loans
from the state school money and
used it in their business but still
they did not prosper.
A few days ago the following item
appeared in one of the Boise papers
and those familiar with the history
of the Emmett bench deal may recall
the way the land opening was hand
led and connect it with the years of
effort and be interested in noting
the results as they appear to date.
Each will have his or her own opin-
ion as to whether prosperity can
come from questionable transac-
ton. This is the item:
THE minutes of the state land
board under date of May rs show the
following entry: Upon motion of At
tOrney General Peterson, seconded by
Governor Alexander and passed by
unanimous vote, the attorney general
Is hereby authorized and directed to
institute foreclosure at once on the
Harry S. Workman and May L.
Workman loans, it appearing from
a report from the treasurer of the
Emmett Irrigation district that the
accrued and delinquent taxes and as
sessments against the property ag-
regate $4,190.3S."