American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1916-10-19
DISREGARD SENSATIONAL
ELEVENTH-HOUR CHARGES
Heat Of Campaigns Usually Promote
Unjustifiable Accusations.


This is the season when everyon,
should be on guard against imposition
by charges reflecting upon the honor
or integrity of candidates for office
There is always a class who spring
something sensational just before elec,
tion, and do it with sanctimonious
demeanor that bellies their nature
Without regard to what individual, oI
to what political party he may belong
every candidate is entitled to a square
deal. 1t is as much the duty of the
public to protect the reputation of a
candidate as it is to protect his prop
erty, and as much it's duty to scorn q
sneaking maligner as it is to scorn a
sneaking property destroyer. Men
who are worthy of being designated as
such come out in the open light, and
openly prefer charges if they have
any, in time to give both the public
and the accused ample time for in
vestigation and defense, in order that
a fair and just public verdict may be
reached. To postpone the making of
an accusation until too late to permit
of investigation and defense, or to
ture in order to attract public atten-
tion and to shake public confidence in
anyone seeking publis office is more
cowardly than sneak-thievery and
more dishonorable than highway rob-
more dishonorable than highway rib
berry.
The public utterances and acts of
any candidate, as well as his private
p life and private business transactions,
are fit subjects for public considera-
tion provided allegations reflecting
upon such are made in time to permit
full and fair investigation and an
impartial decision as between the ac-
cuser and the accused.
Two candidates on the Democratic
state ticket are accused of acts of
wrongdoing which, if true, unfit them
for public service and make them I'M
worthy of public esteem. Both these
candidates went through a primary
campaign unscathed, and unaccused
The Offense of both-one a serious Of
Tense against morals as we'll as of
law, the other an implication of dis
honesty-bave just been made. Meth
ell has time to seek a vindioation be-
fore the election, and both stand to
suffer, justly or unjustly as the case
may be. Under the circumstances the
public should not merely suspend
judgment; it should not forM any
\ judgment in advance of full and fair
trial.
The writer is acquainted with one
of these men, and believes him to be
an honest, upright and deserving cit
In
tance is not sufficient to permit him
to form any judgment The Press is
not supporting either of these men.
and sincerely hopes neither of them
will be elected, and does not believe
that either of them had a chance of
election regardless of whether accuSa-
tions were made or not 1t is not
question of the success or failure of
either, but a question of principle.
The Press would rather see these men
elected and its own friends defeated
than 10 have them defeated as a re-
suit of false accusations.
At a meeting held by the Democra-
tic candidates in this county last week
one of the speakers said that the
sheriff's office of Power county for
the fiscal years of 1913 and 1914 had
cost the people of the county SIT 735.
35. These are exact figures. Anyone
making use of exact figures is sup
posed to have correct information and
to speak only after having made care
full investigation. Here are the facts
The cost of the sheriff's office for the
years 1913 and 1914, including office
furniture and fixtures, records, pos
10 tn1anhnnn apH tala-
graph, railroad and livery fare, meal.
Of sheriff and deputies when away
from home, board of prisoners, fare OF
prisoners, salaries of sheriff and de-
puties, detective hire, and every other
expense charged against the county
was S5,S54.95. Fees earned during that
time were s796.61, leaving the net cost
of the office for the two years $5.05S.34
The man making the statement placed
the cost s12,677.01 too high. 1t is un-
reasonable to believe that he had
made an investigation. or that his
statement was meant to do other thai
misinform the public and injure the
Republican candidate.
The Press is glad TO know that the
man making this absolutely injustifi
able statement was not himself a can
didate. II critiZes the candidate;
present for not correcting the falsC
statement only, and trusts that they
will so inform themselves as to max
il impossible for anyone hereafter Il
compromise them by making then
sponsors for things of like kind.
Regardless of whom charges of thi.
. or any other kind may be aimed at
disregard them. If a hasty verdict j:
required or demanded, render i
against the accuser rather than the ac
cused, because the mere making o
charges that it is believed will no
become known, or that can not be i'm
mediately disproyon, is of itself al
evidence of a lack of appreciation o
personal moral responsibility on tn,
part of the accuser.
The Press wants a clean campaign
but il can meet any kind that is fore
ed upon il.
TRANSpaRT ATInN pRnRI LENS