The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-03-31

SO be, to again quote from Captain
Cutie, Mr.. Hays should have a politi-
cal ambition or two lodged in his
mind, the mayoralitv is a good place
to nurture and develope that ambition.
Disintegration - The Progressive
party, organized at Chicago in
1912 by Colonel Theodore Roosevelt
because he could no longer manipu-
late the Republican party, experienc,
ed short life but merry one. In
few months it gathered together the
disaffected of the country to total Of
over 100000. 1t was able to draw
from the Republican party enough
voters to assure the success of the
Democratic nominees for the presi-
dency and vice-presidency and great
majority of the members of Congress.
With sucr a start. had it been founded
upon vital principles of government,
it should have continued and by this
time become one of the dominant
parties of the country. We find that
disintegration started Immediately.
The election was barely over before
the elements commenced returning -
| their constituent parts. Within two
years the collapse of the movement
was complete. Today evidence of life
| is confined to death quivers here and
| there.
There was, undoubtedly. ample and
sufficient reason, for the birth of the
Progressive party else it would never
have taken place. There is quite as
ample and sufficient reason for its
death else it would continue to live
In the nature of things the party was
born. accomplished it's useful purpose
and has died. There is no profit to
be gained at this late day in discussing
the motives and very little to be had
bv considering the accomplishments.
The first were sufficient and suitable
for their purpose; the second is part
and parcel of present political fact
and activity.
No one need worry about what will
| become of the members of the party.
No one can do anything to turn them
in one direction or another. They will
follow the bent of their minds; the
great majority back to the Republican
party; a handsome minority to the
Democratic party; considerable. por-
ton to the Socialist party; and the
balance will be what they have ever
been a class without party because
they have no fixed principles and are
incapable of acquiring them. These
! latter drift HER and thither follow
ing this will-o'-the-wisp and that ign:s
fatuus in hopes that sooner or later
they will be guided to safety and Sc
curity.
Anyone who states that he carries
around with him any considerable por-
ton of the vote of the late Progress
sive party is fool or considers his
;. audience to be fool. No consider
able vote of the Progressive party OF
any other political party can be car
ried around in this way, or be deliver
ed over for consideration. The poll
teal party which panders to so-callef
. leaders of the defunct Progressive
| party in hopes of attracting the RAM
T and file of that organization will mos
! certainly meet the fate which it de-
: serves, viz: bitter defeat at the gen
eral election. Progressives will go
: each according to his judgment, wher'
) they find that in policies and princi2
5 les of government which appeal t.
, them. To argue otherwise is t.
e adopt a cynicism repugnant to al
ideals of popular and Democrat
] government.
t Running Debate - Captain E. G
\ G. Davis, candidate for governor. ha
i undertaken to pick out for exhibitio
e purposes the flaws in the program o
Senator d. w. Davis to make ldah,
f a taxlees state. Tie electorate, whic
: includes us all, will witness, doubles:
j a running debate between the. tw
{. Davises, with State Treasurer Eagle
son, divers newspaper writers an
others chipping in on the side.
: this manner a full discussion of a
: important question may be had.
/ We note this fact at this time be
y cause in our judgment it is importan
i 1t indicates that principle and not PEI
d sonality may become the subject
e interest in the campaign. The pre-
o gram which Senator Davis has ou
t. lined, and which is perfectly famaliu
e to readers of The Tribune in its on
$ line, will be argued pro and con. IN
II Senator will present his plan. In
o Captain will point out the objection
e Others interested will explain and /
r. hume here and there. and the votel
d will be able to pass judgment INTEL
j. gently. The developments in the gul
ernatorial campaign are the first sig
n of real intelligence we have seen
h Idaho politics for a great many year
,r Whatever may happen to Senate
n Davis, or to Captain Davis. the pc.
ic Die of the state owe them both de-
lie Of gratitude for breaking the spe
ID that has been oil US for several year
Dr. A,,d;+ Ia Needed In Politics,