The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1917-01-12
THE LUCK OF
DEMOCRACY

An unusual spectacle presents itself
at this time affecting Bingham county
and it's people. 1t has been in the
limelight many times but not always
fayorably. It has sought prominence
in state affairs but seldom gained 1t.
For many administrations OF Repub-
lican rule it has been represented IN
Boise by its strongest local men OF
the dominant party, yet always with
out winning any special positions or
laurels.
At this time the minority party
helped along by the bad record OF
men of the dominant party, has one
man in the legislature and he is the
speaker of the house. 1t has one man
in the Penitentiary and he is warden
of the pen. 1t has one man In the
game department and he is warden
of the game 1t seeks to create de-
partment of anti-cruelty and make
an Aberdeen man commissioner OF
the ants. That is enough to make
the local Republicans green-eyed with
envy, and it must be apparent to all
that Bingham county either has some
very able Democrats or the state has
a lot of able Republicans.
Can He Do 1t?
Perhaps it is a part of the irony
of politics that Representative Peter
G. Johnston who has served several
terms in the house, who has been
floor leader for the majority and
twice a candidate for the speakership,
should now fill place in the ranks,
take a desk that is left after the
Democrats have chosen the ones they
want, and then when he has anything
to say, rise and address his neighbor
from the reservation and say, "Mr.
Speaker"
Then the man who has been serv-
ing as ditch-rider and renter of some
Indian lands, looks down over the
house. notes that there are several
men seeking recognition, he isn't
quite sure which one addressed him
first, and sweeping the room at a
glance like conquerer, he seats all
but one exclaiming, "The gentleman
from Bingham"
And Again
"The vice of Republicans" must
appeal also to Senator Thomas OF
Bingham as he sits in the senate as
a part of the minority and reflects
upon some of the incidents leading
up to the present situation. Twenty
odd years ago he was member OF
the senate and knew the leading men
of the state. Life lay before him and
opportunity was open to him on ev-
cry hand. In those days and since,
his voice has sounded thru the legls-
lative halls, a member of the domi-
nant party pointing out the way to
build up great commonwealth
where all men prosper.
Perry Mitchell was in the grammar
school and was a boy of only ordin-
airy promise. Today it is Senator
Mitchell from the north, and presi-
dent pro tenn of the senate. Senator
Thomas rises and says, "Mr. Presi-
dent!" Somebody else addresses the
chair at the same time, and Mr.. Pres
ident looks down over the senate
and says sweetly, "The gentleman
from Owyhee!"
But Will it Last?
Talking of political luck and erup-
lions, anybody is liable to come out
on top by chance or to temporarily
receive the favor of the rabble in
voting. 1t takes man of worth to
hold a place in a working force
where he comes in contact with de-
termined opposition. 1t takes more
than that to hold that place when
one has to stand the test of time.
He has to be substantially right or
he will go down by seeking his own
level. Representative Johnston has
stood such tests thru many years. and
may yet be called to put to right a
disordered house that could not be
held together by the hap-hazard
methods OF men who played in luck
at the polls.
An eminent statesman is credited
with saying many years ago that the