Montpelier examiner. [volume] (Montpelier, Idaho) 1895-1937, 1917-06-15
TRIBUTE no MOSES ALEXANDER

A man must be judged by his
times. The people and environments
undoubtedly Influence every man.
This is particularly true in politics
It is not fair to take a man away
from his people, his environments or
his times and Judge him.
You can take any man-any sue
cessful politician-and by a close
study of his character and career
safely estimate the intelligence, the
sincerity and the character of the
people among whom he succeeded.
Any indictment of Moses is an indict-
ment of the people of Idaho. Moses
Alexander is an ideal type to the peo-I
pie of this state. He represents and
typifies their ideals OF q man in pub
lie life. He appeals to them. They
believe in him. They admire and re.
spect him. They keep him in office
because he is exactly what they want
The Tribune does not respect Mr..
Alexander to any great extent. How
ever, The Tribune freely confesses
its inability to understand the peo-
pie en- masse and consequently lack
of understanding on our part proba-
bly, accounts for lack of appreciation
of Governor Alexander.
The skill, courage and understand
ing of human nature possessed by
Mr.. Alexander excites q certain kind
of admiration. We have always ad-
mired the late Mr.. Barnum because
he admitted that he was a fakir to a
considerable extent, and, he had the
ability to convert fakes into cash
Mr.. Alexander converts fakes into Of
fices and is entitled to similar ad-
miration.
The people are clay In the hands
of Mr.. Alexander. He is able to use
them as he sees fit. They respond
to his touch i'm a manner that is
sometimes startling. He is also able
to manipulate individuals. This last
faculty is the more startling and sug-
gests that Mr.. Alexander is a man of
greater ability than he is usually ac-
credited.
The people Of Caldwell know Hon.
t. A. Walters. He lived here for
many years. He practiced his pro-
fession in Caldwell. He is some
thing of an orator and the people of
Caldwell never tired of listening to
him. Mr.. Walters was elected attor-
ney general at the last election. 1t
is said that at board meetings Mr..
Walters is putty in the hands of AL
exander So is Mr.. Dougherty, sec
T0IdTy Oh BLdIS. III LdCL AIoXa0-
der calls the meeting to order and
calling a stenographer dictates the
proceedings of the meeting, giving
Mr.. Walters credit on the minutes
for this motion: Mr.. Dougherty cred
It for that motion; and assumes re-
p rs 'bility for one or two himself
Neither Walters nor Dougherty say
aye or nay during the meeting.
How is it that Mr.. Alexander car
handle intelligent men i'm this man
ner? What spells is it that he casts
Ever them whereby they lose all ini.
tiatlye, sense of responsibility Oh
power of resistance?
Alexander must be a remarkable
man in his way. He has extraordi.
pswars that sway the multitude
ia mass or the individual in person
You go out upon the street and
you can hardly find a man who viii
acknowledge that he voted for Alex.
ander. The man who votes for him
is ashamed of the fact but still he
votes that way He will probably
vote for him for United States sena
tor and deny the fact the rest of hii
life.
It is a strange power that is ex
ercised. Alexander himself is 9
strange prophet who has come among
this people. He is not over scrup
ulous with the truth. He is q dem
agogue. He is brimful of all man
ner of deceits. A speech OF his readl
like a column of pied type.
This ignorant political fakir ha
come among us and is succeeding. H,
more than half convinced the peopl,
that he had actually saved them
couple of million dollars the frs
term. He promised greater saving
the second term. The Legislature
discounted that promise in advanc
and SO he dropped his million dolla
saving and has taken up patriot
ism" Mr.. Alexander expects L
make his campaign and be elected l.
the United States senate on patriot
ism"
Our guess Is that he will succeed