The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-10
LET THE PEOPLE RULE"

The action the Democratic state central committee in
rejecting the principle that the members Of the party
OF right voice in the government of the party amaze
people generally and fill Democrats with disgust. The
Beltmore PLATFORM scrapheap though be- endorsed the
idea of preferential primary; President Wilson advocates
the principles the call of the national committee provides
for the election; and Democrats generally dmand the
right tacticn OF the party, temporarily in control Of
the party machinery brazeny that the people are
not qualified to exercise the function such election
would confer upon them. Mr.. Nugent who is commonly
credited with furnishing the brains of his faction states
that the other faction would carry the election by the
of money In effect Mr. Nugent says that the members
OF the Democratic party corrupt that they
be entrusted with the primary ballot We wonder he
holds that they cannot be entrusted with any ballot Should
the Democrats be diSranchsed and their function
formed by Elder Pence Evans and federal office holders
An affirmative answer to that question is demanded in
order that there be consistency throughout
1t has been many years such cynical contempt for
the common people has been shown by a politician OF
late years the public announcement of politicians have
teomed with the greatest respect for sovereign voter
No matter what he might have thought his expressed
sentiment was couched in the kndest, considerable
and most respectful language Mr. Nugent frankly states
that he had respect for the judgment of the members
OF the Democratic party and proposes taking no chances
The Democratic party while Messrs. Nugent Elder and
Pence in control will permit the people to rule only so
long as it is known that they will rule these gentlemen
decree They will be permitted independence of
thought or action The members of the organization and
the nominees OF the party will be handpcked The party
vote the ticket but that is about as far as it will be
permitted to go.
The Tribune does not like to such usurpations in
political party. We recognize the necessity of two
political parties and each of them its different CAPACITY
exerts its influence for good bad government The
purity OF the Republican party in Idaho is absolutely de
pendent upon the purity of the Democratic party in this
state Whenever one political party is corrupt and
non-responsive to popular demands the other par-
w. nine times out of ten, is in the same con-
dhon For that reason alone the attitude of the
leaders and OF those control of the Democratic party
oi the greatest Importance to the members OF other po-
u'a parties An additional for our interest is the
iact that at all times there is chance of Democratic
success at the next general election. Good government
" ' state depends upon the attitude of political leaders
as much as does the intentions OF ocehoders and
great deal more than does upon platform pledges
IN order that the Democratic party may cleanse itself
OF ITS present leadership trust that Mcssrs Dav
o.e,s' Ma'peh' smith and their associates may wrest
control OF the organization from Messrs Elder Pence
and Nugent.