American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-03-30
IDAHO SITUATION CALLED TO
MIND BY BORAH LETTER
Charged That Federal Patronage Ii
Manipulated to the Advantage 81 tho
Elder Faction.


Democrats m Idaho begin 70 see q
parallel In Idaho to the south, says the
Capital News. In the abuse OF federal
patronage to control party machinery.
This fact was called vividly to their
attention by the letter of United States
Senator w. e. Borah published in Mon
days Issue Of the Capital News. A
number OF instances In which National
Committeeman Robert II. Elder has
used his position to see that friends
and relatives are placed In positions
are cited by Senator Ravenel Macbeth.
1t Is also alleged that abuse OF tho
federal patronage is being made In the
attempt ON the part OF the Pence-Nu-
gent-Elder faction to bring about the
appointment OF c. w. Whiffin OF Cald-
well for surveyor general, with the
proviso that he tie up to the present
national committeeman and deliver
that county to him. demand the DEM
ocrats of Canyon county are said 10
have coolly turned down. They take
the stand that Whiffin should be ap-
pointed on his ability and merits or
not at all.
Another instance is recited In Bon-
ner county where 1t is charged that the
Pence-Nugent-Elder people gained con-
troll OF am indorsement for Elder by
tieing up the county organization
through the appointment of postmas-
ter. 1t was agreed that the postmas-
tership should only be placed OH the
understanding that Elder was to have
the county delegation In the state con-
vention II he sought reelection for
national committeeman.
Macbeth Cites Other Incidents.
Regarding further abuse OF federal
patronage on the part OF the national
committeeman of this state. Senator
Macbeh gave out he following state
ment:
Senator Borah's letter. published In
your paper last night to a southern
Republican, IN which he crtticises the
use of federal patronage for the pur-
pose of securing political advantages
could be we'll mentioned IN connection
with such use OF federal patronage in
Idaho as shown at the recent meeting
OF the Democratic state central COM
mittee, to-wt:
Postmaster Laird of American Falls
was present holding the proxy OF the
committeeman OF Power county
Postmaster Jaycox OF Jerome was
present from Lincoln county, holding
proxy from that county, and Postmas-
ter Noble OF Shoshone. Lincoln county,
was present and active In behalf OF the
Nugent- Pence Elder machine.
Postmaster Marsh OF Rupert. COM
mitteeman from Minidoka county, was
present by a proxy In behalf OF the
machine.
THE disgraceful action OF the COM
mittee IN unseating w. A. Talkington
Of Gramgeville. the regularly elected
committeeman from Idaho county, and
seating Elder, who held the proxy OF
Postmaster Wisner OF Grangeville, who
claimed TO be committeeman from Ida
no county, is well known.
George Tannehill, the machine boss
OF Nez Perce county. whose half
brother, Lee PennweIl, In the postmas-
ter at Lewiston. saw that the proxy
from Nez Perce county was sent TO the
machine.
Postmaster Miller OF st. Anthony.
whose brother or uncle is state CEN
tral committeeman, A. ID. Miller, of
st. Anthony, saw that the proxy from
Fremont county was held by the ma
chine.
Assistant United States District
Attorney Smead was present holding
a proxy and was chairman Of the
committee ON resolutions that turned
down the preferential primary plank
OF the Baltimore platform.
elders three brothers are employed
In violation OF the spirit Of the anti
nepotism law and who owe their ap-
pointment to Elders influence, ara
employed as follows, to-wft: One II
county attorney for Benewah county;
another Is deputy clerk In the record
er's office OF Kotenai county. and the
other is deputy assessor Of Boundary
county and his father who lives In
Coeur d'Alene is given ali OF the odd
Jobs around the county court house
and such work as the district court
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