The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-08-02
BURB0N LEADERS
SPEAK ON LEAGUE
Idaho Democrats Dis
cuss Campaign Fight
Against Invaders at
Committee Meeting.

l
Committee Meeting.
Proceeding the meeting of the Dem.
ocratic state central committee at the
old Satehouse building Monday aft.
ernoon an open discussion of he Non
partisan league problem was entered
into by representative party leaders,
Among the speakers were T. A. Wal
ters, attorney general: Governor
Alexander, D. L. Evans, E. J, Dock
cry, L. l.. Evans, c. Van Deusen,
Harvey Alfred and Frank Martin.
The committee was named in ex-
ecutive session following thoro dis
cussion of the issues confronting the
party internally.
Free-FOr.All Talk
During the free-for-all discussion
visitors addresses were made by
many Democrats not members of the
committee. D. L. Evans of Oneida
county demurred to the calling of the
roll, and at his suggestion the after
noon session until the executive ses-
sion was called was "a gathering Of
Democrats instead of a meeting of
the Democratic state central COM
mittee."
Governor Alexander was the first
speaker. He declared that a serious
crisis and a peculiar condition con-
fronts the Bourbons in Idaho, refer
ring to the Nonpartasian leagues in
tention of going into the Democratic
primaries to name it's candidates.
"The party owes it to itself to take
some step in the matter" the COVER
nor said. "If the outsiders succeed
in 6 citing into office under our ban
ner we will be responsible for every
thing that they do" He declared
that the meeting should have been
called earlier in the political season.
Power of Political Cuckoo
E. J. Dockney, named by Chairman
Hamilton as special legal counsel for
the party to conduct the court cam
paign against the league, expressed
it as his opinion that there Is surely
some inherent power in the courts
that can say whether an organization
of men whose principles are foreign
to those of another party can enter
the other party's fold to put thru
it's principles. He said he had not
had time to investigate all phases of
the question, and called upon Bour-
bon attorneys to assist him.
Who's the Democratic Party?
Governor Alexander agreed, he
said, with Dockery's ideas in the
main, but he wanted to know who
was to give Mr.. Dockery his instruc-
lions.
"Who is the Democratic party in
[daho?" the governor asked of the
who's got the right Ito
instruct him what to do? This mat
ter is too important to leave in the
hands of one man, because it's a
question of the life or death of the
party"
Has Nothing to Say
w. T. Dougherty, secretary of state
whose deputy has nominated him for
governor, threw a perceptible chill
)ver the proceedings when he re-
used to commit himself on the ques-
ions before the assembly.
81 have nothing to say" he an
when committeeman
,alled on him for an address.
D. L. Evans raised the question |
It this point of whether or not the |
was going to ratify the ap-
continent of Dockey as party coun-
ell. This, he said, was to be decided
'efore any action should be taken as
o party policy.
Harvey Alfred suggested a confer
nee, and discussion before the COM
nittee ratified any of the acts of it's
hartman and suggested meeting
'ehind closed doors.
Policeman Influence
A strong representative Democra-
lc ticket was suggested by L. L.
vans of Power ounty as the solu-
lon of the problem, "You can't
egally look into mans conscience
nd Determine whether he's Demo-
rat or Republican" he said. He
eclared himself mot in favor Of
ignifying the Non-Partisan league
y recognizing it in court action"
ny belief that he was in favor Of
ne league was dispelled when he
lid he believed Nonpartisan league
lfluences traced to their source ,
ould reveal pro-Germanism. |,
That c. Van Deusen, state auditor,
lvored Evans views on the course ,
, be pursued was evident when he .
loted figures to prove the Democra- !
c party able numerically to defeat :
le league at its own game in the !
primaries.
"Slap Them in he Face?" Ii
"But are you going to slap them t
the face?" he asked. IF the s
ague does not represent true Demo- v
mt Of its membership as it is now a
instituted would have supported t
resident Wilson's party anyway"