The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-10-22

partisan league. TnlS matter Will
have no reference to the farmer
members nor the local organizers,
who no doubt are average citizens OF
their counties. It will refer to the
leaders-the men who control the f.
nance, the policies of the organiza-
ton and the channels thru which the
membership is reached, and informed
or misinformed.
But there are some things that do
not require democentary evidence.
The people of Idaho have experienced
them, and they are the political
methods of the leaders. Are they
right, and will they bring benefits?
The very foundation Of our govern
ment is equal rights and equal OPP
portunities for all. Any policy that
denies to someone else what a per-
son or an organization claims for
itself is violation of this principle.
II the farmers want to organize,
they have q right to.
If they desire to form distinct
political part, they have a right to.
| II they wish to declare for certain
policies they have right to.
/
others the same privilege?
When the league entered this state
the public knew little of it or its
Leadership. 1t was known that it
would work thru political channels
to endeavor to secure the passage of
certain laws. But it was presumed
THAT its work would fall of the same
line as the anti-saloon league, the
Equity and the Grange by endorsing
candidates of the regular parties who
we're favorable to the things pro-
posed. That is Republican mem
bers Of the league would vote in the
Republican primaries for the NOM
nation of certain candidates who
would favor their measures. Demo-
Gratis would do the same in their pri-
maries.
Did McKaig Know?
Ray McKaig has been in the Press
office two or three times and each
time has had a guarded conversation
with the writer touching political
matters. He probably did not say
that the league members would work
within the other parties to secure the
nomination of men who would favor
the policies the league was champion
ing. But he left the impression with
the writer that such a course would
be followed. That the league conven-
ton would be held after the Repub-
,lican and Democratic conventions
were held and the platform written
and would endorse the candidates of
one party or the other, or some from
each party, and work in a non-par-
tisan manner to elect them. Mr.. Nc
Kaig made certain inquiries, some
touching upon individuals, but the
most pertinent was concerning the
attitude of the Press would take to-
ward the league. Mr.. McKaig was
informed that the writer did not
know enough about the league and
its purposes to make declaration of
policy, but that whether the Press
would support or oppose league mea-
surers would depend upon whether
or not the measures appealed to the
writer as being fair and for the gen
era public good. This was before the
Non-partisan Leader was established
and before the platform and policies
of the league were known to the
writer. Mr.. McKaig at that time, left
no impression that the league was to
enter the field as political party,
nor that it would try to invade any
party, Overturn the candidates and
principles of that party by voting
league Republicans in the Democratic
party or league Democrats in the Re-
publican party. The impression left
was that the league would do as it
did in the case of State Treasurer
Eagleson and few others, simply
endorse them as being worthy and &C
ceptable, and urge their members in
the respective parties to support
them.
We're all Sparring
1t was such an organization as this,
doubtless, that got S. D. Taylor in
bad. 1t has been the custom of the
anti-saloon league to get statement
from candidates as to their position
on prohibition. The league leaders
we're not very different in their meth
DDS. Taylor says the Non-partisan
state leaders flirted with him with a
view to endorsing Republican candi-
dates on the Republican platform,
and that he encouraged them, be-
lieving that he was promoting the
best interests of the party. The
Non-partisan leaders say the adj
vances were all on Taylor's part, and
that thru him Davis and Gooding
sought the endorsement of the
league. The writer knows what Mr..
Davis did in this matter. 1t was to
write a letter to Mr.. Taylor stating
in effect, that he would consider an
of the league as COM
piment to him and an endorsement
of the things he stood for, which was
all right and proper. Almost imme-
diately thereafter he wrote Mr.. Tay-
Tor to make no use of his letter, but |
to return it, which was done. He |
feared that an improper interpreta-
ton might be put upon the letter and |
wrong differences drawn from 1t.
Mr.. Taylor says that in his zeal he |
signed Gooding's name to a quite |
similar letter. Gooding denies that |
he signed a letter supposed to
have been written by him. But If he |
did sign such letter there was moth
z - -