The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-03-30
How 1t Started

TO the people of Idaho: Years
ago, while struggling to make liv-
ing under adverse conditions, on the
illfated King Hill irrigation project,
l conceived the idea of state de-
partment to help farmers in their
marketing and other commercial
problems. Later / moved to Boise
and started a farm paper with state
aid In marketing as the principal
slogan of the publication. After two
years editorial effort, sufficient pub
lie sentiment was developed to force
the bill for a state department of
farm markets thru the legislature.
Then the farmers organizations
turnout the state insisted that the
governor remove the office from par
t'san politics by appointing the
author of the law as the organizer
of the department-my activities in
the farm organizations having shown
me to be affiliated with neither of
the old parties.
Governor Was Reluctant
Reluctantly, but as matter of
political expediency, the governor
complied with these petitions, and Of
fered me the appointment, on the
condition, however, that l sign the
resignation form presented to me,
which | was given to understand was
his policy in making appointments,
in order that he could remove with
out difficulty an appointee for mis-
conduct in office. Believing this was
an established policy, and BELIEVING
also, as l did at that time, that the
governor would not take advantage
of such undated resignation unfairly,
or without ample cause, | accepted
the position under this condition;
but with the express understanding
that l be permitted to conduct the
office in non-partisan manner, in
dependent of politics.
Everything went along smoothly
the first 18 months of my term-or,
in other words, until the last cam
paign was over and the governor
found himself safely reelected.
Since the last election / have
conducted the office in identically the
same manner as before and have
made the same effort to work har-
with the governor; but
have been forced to realize that I
had served the governor purpose
and was no longer wanted in the ad-
"Threats and IntimidatiOns"
"By threats and intimidations, the
governor has attempted to make me
lie down in my fight against the vic
ious outside interests that have so
long robbed the producers and con-
sumers in this state.
when l had a number of bills
in the recent legislature,
for remedying the evils from which
Idaho producers and consumers have
long suffered, Governor Alexander
summoned me to his private office
and demanded that l go to the ag-
ricultural committee in the legisla-
ttre and withdraw the measures. l
tried to reason with him. I showed !
him that these measures had the in
1orsement of the farmers organiza-
lions in all parts of the state. told
him | had discussed the need of |
these relief measures with over 15,-'
900 farmers thruout the state, and
hat | should not be expected to be-
ray the trust that these farmers had |
placed in me.
''Out i'm Six Months
1.-THE governor finally made the
threat that unless | went over to the
legislature and had these bills with
lrawn that I would be out of office
inside of six months.
~ refused to betray the trust the
'armers had placed in me.
Some of these bills were forced
;hru the legislature upon the de-
hands of the farmers organizations.
rhe farmers demanded that the mea-
'ures passed by the legislature be-
,ome law. The governor then de-
;ided to sign them; but also decided
o put in new state market director
o administer the laws.
1.-THE governor Friday carried out
lis threat to get me out Of office,
when he took from his files the resig-
lation signed year ago last April,