American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-05-04
AS BETwEEN FRIENDS.

"
the breakers at Pocatello and a decent
regard for the opinion of fellow Dem
ocrats make 1t essential that a brief re-
sumo OF past events as understood by
the opponents Of the reelection of
National Committeeman Robert II.
Elder be given at this time although
1t has been against the policy Of The
New Freedom to discuss questions Of
party management, but the danger
to the party is so great and APPARENTLY
30 little understood by those in author
ity that we feel to longer remain silent
would be to invite party disaster.
AS much as 1t Is to be regretted and
let the blame rest where 1t may. dur-
ing the administration of Governor
Hawley the Democratic party became
rent into factions larger portion OF
the party being intensely loyal to
Governor Hawley and to his personal
and political fortunes, while some
number In excess OF a third of the
party membership stood for the lead
ership Of John F. N~ugent-these fig
ures being based upon the result of
the Senatorial primary between the
two leaders.
Mr.. Elder had been elected National
Committeeman, through the fact that
his home county-Kootenai-was able
to give victory to the Nugent forces at
the Occur d'Alene convention. Mr..
Elder obtained the support of the
Nugent delegates. Mr.. Elder has been
a factional official even since. No
friend OF Governor Hawley's has ever
been appointed to a federal position
In Idaho through Mr.. Elder, if oppos-
ed by Mr.. Nugent. Instead Of en-
~deavoring to cement the party, Of
listening to the voice of local Demo-
Gratis, Mr.. Elder has gone down the
line for the Nugent wing OF the par
ty. An uncalled for war was made
upon Governor Hawley personally, and
when a resolution was introduced in
the State Legislature to recommend
Governor Hawley for a position In
President Wilson's cabinet, five Dem
ocrats, representing Idaho, Owyhee
and Lemhi counties voted against it.!
These representatives came from coun-
ties where Governor Hawley was ex-
ceptionally strong and where he would
have been overwhelmingly endorsed
by the rank and file of the party. I'm
mediately after this vote, the Demo-
Gratis of the State were dumbfounded
by the fact that the Nugent wing of
the party were backing State Senator
Don G. Reid, of Lemhi county, for
United States Marshal, Roy Herndon,
for postmaster of Salmon and Repre-
sentative Friend for his home post Of
flee in Idaho county. Thus were three
OF the five men who had voted against
the Hawley endorsement to be re-
warded. or the other two, a partner
OF Mr.. Healy's was given the position
OF Deputy United States District At
torney, and Senator Dow Dunning still
has his a-comin' UP.
But this is o all.
The local Ada county committee.
whose officers had been disloyal to
Governor Hawley In his second cam
'Pf bofNi hol, tDuOTStU CuTt1S
Il. Pike for postmaster Of Boise. Now
Mr, Pike. clearly within his rights, IL
MS conscience so dictated, had been
the most open and vlndictive opponent
OF the reelection of Governor Hawley
In the entire state OF Idaho. III Mr..
Pike felt that duty called him to bolt
his ticket, we'll and good, but certain
ly 1t would be descriptive of all party
spirit to reward him for the act. So
fragrant was this case that the matter
assumed state wide importance and
protests from every section were sent
to Washington against this appoint
ment. The fight grew so bitter that
Mr.. Elder was finally forced to call a
primary of the Boise Democrats to
settle the matter and Mr.. Pike was de-
feated. And at the recent meeting Of
the Ada county central committee
John r. Smead, deputy United States
district attorney. spoke Of Mr.. Elders
fairness In leaving this matter to a
vote OF the people interested, when
under neither legal or moral obliga-
ton TO do So"
In that sentence. Mr.. Smead states
he essential reason for the OPPOSE
ton OF Mr.. Elder. Mr.. Elder and
those who support him assume that
he federal patronage is the personal
property OF the national committee
man and that he is neither legally nor
morally required to listen to the
wishes OF the rank and file of the
Democracy.
Amy one who aspires to office in
Ada county was told by Mr.. Elder that
the essential thing was to obtain the
endorsement OF the county central
committee. Well and good. II the rule
held good all over the state, but II
only worked In the counties where the
committees were controlled by the
Nugent forces. In Latah county. the
committee met and with but n dis
s~enting vote recommended John LEM