American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1918-07-26
COMMITTEE WILL HANDLE
NONPARTTSAN SQUABBLE
Majority Members OF State Democratic
Central Committee Name Five Men
Following All-Day Conference.

~ " Y ~ 4EAN'AE "hEE
the NOnpartisan league. as the result
Of an all-day conference in Boise at
the senate chamber Monday. The other
four members Of this committee are:
A. G. Hindman, Boise: o. Il. Cannon.
Mountain Home; T. T.. Buckner, Cald-
well, and ID. l.. Carter. Cambridge. DR..
W. II. Hamilton, OF Weiser. was named
an ex-Officio member Of the commit
tee. His action. as state chairman. In
retaining f. j. Dockery Of Boise. as
general counsel TO determine the par
TVS primary election rights, was in
dorsed. NJ. G. Stott was elected sec
Rotary OF the state committee, succeed
ing James II. Hawley. Jr., who Is now
In the service. Chairman Martin Is
empowered to convene the special
committee at his pleasure. and II Is
understood hat no time Will be lost In
attempting 10 find a solution to the
p%erplexing problem before the party.
During the open session OF the com
mittee criticism Of the Nonpartisan
leagues action vas free but was void
Of abuse. Party leaders we're frank
10 express their views and some OF
them openly minated that the league
was not actuated with honest motives,
while one speaker. l.. l.. Evans, bold
ly expressed his personal view that in
his opinion II the truth was known the
leagues activities could be traced back
10 German propaganda.
In view OF the fact he was later
named chairman OF the special com
mittee to the utterances Of Frank Mar
tin can probably be attached the great
est Significance. Speaking before the
assembly of representative Democrats,
Mr. Martin made a strong plea for har-
mOny.
IF there ever was a time in the
history Of the party that we should
have harmony and that personal dif-
ferences and ambitions should be for
gotten, it Is now said Mr.. Martin.
"The situation that cOnfrOnts the par
ty Is graye-one Of the gravest In us
history. To meet il We must meet on
harmonious ground and by getting to-
gether prove that as a party we are
united and determined to hold our or
ganizatiOn together
Referring TO the action of the league
Mr.. Martin said its official organ open
ly states the intention of that organ
lzation Is to ride into power on the
Democratic wagon and constant
warning Is given to leaguers to re-
member they are Democrats this year.
lie sharply criticized the intention OF
a large percentage of league members
To become Democratic converts over
night. especially when they have been
known republicans for years. The
Democratic party, he said. welcomed
those who honestly embrace the great
principles OF the party but that party
he pointed out, has a right to look INTO
the leagues proposal TO make tenn
porary use OF its organization 20 gam
its object
"It Is an unheard OF and impossible
thing" he said. that men could
change their politics overnight. Polit-
ical conversion does not come that
ouick. The Democratic party can meet
defeat N necessary. II cannot afford
10 surrender It's organization to an
alien organization.
"The test of political honestly Is act
ing honorably in political affairs. Po-
litlcal organizations should stand on
their own bottom. We cannot trust
affairs to men willing to be politically
dishonest for a chance to run the state
offices. There should be no compro-
mise aud no alliance with an outside
organization for votes.
MIR Martin referred TO the remark
able record of President Wilson and
the high esteem In which he Is held
not only by his own party hut by men
i'm all parties and all over the world.
He referred to the praise that the Non
partisan league was showering on the
president.
III conditions are bad, as the league
claims they are" he said. President
Wilson Is to blame. To him more than
any other man in America can be
credited economic conditions IN this
country. II they support him and
believe in him. why do they want 10
change things and why don't they back
the loyal members OF his party
lie said he was inclined TO doubt
this lip service praise of the %leaguers
In view OF their attitude
Governor Alexander. Attorney Gen
eral walters. u. l.. Evans, l. L. Evans.
Stnte Auditor Van Deusen. +. J. Dock
crv Harvey Alfred and Il. e. Buckner.
state committeeman from Canyon
county. spoke. Governor Alexander
admitted the situation that confronted
the party was grave and should be Civ
en- the closest attention. He though q
meeting Of Democratic leaders should
have been called earlier for that pur-
pose. lie said that no time should be
/ lost to take hrmly hold OF matters
Immediately. Regarding the employ
meut of r. j.. Dockery rs general legal
counsel for the party. the governor
questioned the propriety Of conferrins
such power upon n a Mr.. Dock
Il cry explained that he had been re
tanned at the direct suggestion Of state
Chairman Hamilton and would make
the closest possible investigation OF tbs
election laws 10 determine the rights
Of the Democratic party at the prt
maries He called upon other Demo
cratic attorneys who render assistance
10 the matter.