The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1916-04-21

Sports-Baseball, football, pugilism,
poker and tiddlewinks. each in its sea,
son, usurp public attention. For all
the year around interest there is no
sport like politics. The others go up
and down in public favor. Not one OF
them appeals to all the people all OF
the time. 1t is different with politics.
Politics are good in winter and sum-
mer and between seasons. Now that
politics have become epicene, as it
were, the rich and poor of both sexes,
are interested, participant and active.
The real American game is politics. 1t
appeals to all classes, sects and re-
ligions. The Jewish rabbi, the Nor
mon bishop, the Catholic priest, the
Protestant preacher are all interested
and active. Lodges and secret orders
are utilized. The w. c. T. Y. is a
political factor to be reckoned with
at all times. Guilds, unions, clubs
and female relief societies of both
sexes are in politics. Everybody is
playing the game.
There are just as many kinds of pol
itics as there are factors, and accom-
panying each brand are as many meth
DDS as there are brands. 1t is the one
game where every man can make his
own rules. He plays the game as he
sees fit. 1t is free-for-all and no
questions asked.
Every person thinks that he can
play the game. There is constantly
present an element of chance that ap-
peals to the speculative instinct. Skill
is factor of prime Importance and yet
the unskilled are frequently successful.
Honor and emolument are to be had
for the asking. Added to all this is
the vain assumption, of which we are
all possessed, that politics will give
each of us an opportunity to render
the state valuable service. Politics
thus provide a livelihood, the means of
giving service to society, excitement,
fame and fortune-to the few who are
successful.
Even those who do not care for the
Offices are interested as advisers, coun-
sellers and Warwicks: 1t is gentle
mems game. bringing into play skill,
power, ability, money and at times a
strong arm. Power, publicity and
perquisites are the rewards of the sue
cessful politician.
Democrats--If man is going to be
a politician for the sake of the game
he had better be Democrat. The
Democrats have more fun and excite
ment than the members of any other
political party. With the Democrats
politics is politics and that is all there
is to it. With Republicans politics is
a business. With Progressives poll
tics is a fetish. With Socialists poll
tics is a religion. With Democrat:
politics for politics sake is an enc
in itself and that is the end of it. AL
else is incidental and nobody would
give a Confederate bill for the Incl
dents.
AS an illustration: there will be ;
great rumpus at Pocatello and yet alb
solutely nothing to rumpus over
Every Democrat in Idaho is perfect,
willing that President Wilson be re
nominated. There is no fight owe
that. The position of national com
mitteeman is important only wher
the national administration is Demo
cratic The next administration will
be Republican consequently member
ship on the national committee
is not important. The Democrats
are fighting for the pure Joy o
fighting. They are playing pol
tiles simply and solely for the sak'
of the game. The average Democra
knows that it don't make particle o
difference what is done at the stat,
convention or who does it.
We believe that the Democrats hav,
the better system. We have Otter
thought of joining them but coul,
never run across an opportune tim
for taking the step. If the psycholog
ical moment ever arrives and we rec
ornize it we will be Democrats. Poll
tics for politics sake is our idea o
real sport, fun and amusement.
Personalities-Having generalize,
and rhapsodized through a couple O
paragraphs'we must get down to par
ticulars. Idaho has produced bu
three politicians of class. We refer t.
Ex-senator Fred T. Dubois, Senate
William f. Borah and Senator Jane
H. Brady. Of the three men Senate
Dubois is the ablest politician. H
lasted longer; held his grip tighter
and was more commanding figure i
state affairs. Senator Dubois, unfor
tunately, ran Up against the Mormo
church and of course came to stand
still. But even to this day Senate
Dubois is an influence in Idaho poll
tics. The trouble with Senator Du
bois is that he became thoroughly
convinced that the Mormon influenc
was pennicious and undertook to cur
it. He sacrificed his ambitions, or a
least his political success. on the alta
of conviction.
Senator Borah is the commander,