The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1918-10-11
In Idaho Politics.

Boise, Idaho Oct. S.-Interest In
Idaho political matters the past few
days has centered around the vOlun-
tary retirement of Chairman Taylor as
head of the Republican State commit
tee and certain expositions in regard to
some of the Non-Partisan league
leaders.
Chairman Taylor, prior TO the meet
Ing of the Non-Partisan league conven-
ton, was asked by league leaders as
to the position of Frank r. Gooding
and D, w. Davis, later nominated by
the Republicans for United States SEN
ator and governor. respectively, should
the Non-Partisan convention indorse
them.
Mr.. Gooding has long fought much
the same elements as Is represented in
the leadership of the league and
Chairman Taylor knew what strong
grounds he took. Without consulting
Mr.. Gooding he signed the latter's
name to letter, stating that Mr.. Good
ing would accept the league nomina-
tion for senator If rendered in the
right spirit, but that he was not solicit
ing 1t.
the league leaders, Mr.. Gooding pro-
nounced 1t forgery. At that time
Chairman Taylor was In North Idaho,
en- route for Boise. When he returned
he admitted having written the letter.
He said 1t was generally understood at
that time that the league intended to
indorse the Republican platform and
.straight-out Republican candidates,
H. Aal 10
service for his party. He said he had
also induced Mr.. Davis, whom he had
seen personally, to send a similar let
ter, but that the following day Mr..
Davis, on reconsideration, recalled it,
stating that his convictions were such
he could not see his way clear to re-
ceiye the Endorsement of an organiza-
ton, the leadership of which has been
shown to be VIGOROUSLY allied with
the l. W. w. and Socialists, and who
were endeavoring to establish a Boil
shevikl regime in this nation. There
was considerable criticism when Mr..
Taylor resigned.
Says He Is an |. w. W..
During the week a portion Of the
evidence adduced at the trial of Bill
Haywood and other I. w. w. leaders
at Chicago was made public here in
facsimile form. 1t was brought out
| by Mr.. Goodlng, following bitter at
tacks made on him by Non-Partisan
league leaders. This evidence was in
the form of a letter from Arthur lie
| Seuer. national secretary Of the Nom
| Partisan league, who has charge of the
work in Idaho, being conducted largely
| by Ray McKaig and w. G. Scholtz.
lie Seuer wrote this letter to Bill Hay
wood on April 5, 1917. 1t was on sta
tionery Of the Socialist college, of
which Eugene Debs, recently sent to
! prison for ten years, was president.
LIE Seuer's name appeared as one of
the officers of the college.
Against Government.
In this letter to Haywood, LIE Seur
said, among other things, that it was
necessary in view OF this damned
war; to fight anti-spy legislation, re.
ferring to the espionage bill, since en-
acted.
Governor Gooding points out that
this is only part of the evidence show
Ing the connection OF the Non-Partisan
league leaders with the |. w. W., and
he declares that McKaig and Scholtz
are in the same class with lie Seuer
and are UNFOLDING him in their work
among the farmers of Idaho.
Mr. Gooding says that the fight now
being made on him is Just continual
ton of the bitterness that has been
directed against him by Haywood and
the latter's associates ever since Good
Ing was governor of Idaho and helped
TO prosecute Haywood, Meyer and Pet
tibone for consplring to bring about
the assassination of Ex-Governor Steu,
nenberg.
Confessed Disloyaiist.
The present controversy resulted
from the arrest of Horace Mann In
Gooding county. Mann was an or.
! ganizer of the Non-Partisan league.
Reputable citizens made affidavit as
| to the seditious statements on his part.
but McKaig, as field secretary, with
out investigating him, instructed him
to continue his work in that county.
! When Mann was confronted with the
affidavits and additional evidence, he
made a clean breast, confessing under
oath that he was sent to Idaho by Ls
euer and worked here under the d.
rection of McKaig; that he had made a
number of seditions statements. Mann
has since been held for trial, having
waived examination