The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1918-07-16
MP Leaguers
Hope To Steal
Party Ticket
Clever Move by Non.
Patriots in Conven-
ton Last Week

| DOloE, luduO, July lU.-lno
abrupt department from what was
believed to be the Idaho Nonpartisan
leagues program in going into the
Democratic instead of the Republic
can primaries to nominate its can
didates for governor, and to name
others on the ticket, has upset all
pre-convention dope and brought
about situation unlocked for and
of unusual political significance and
interest. Leaders on both sides are
at sea and frankly confess that they
are surprised. Having secured an
indorsment of its main platform
plank, state monopoly of waterpower
in the Republican platform, the Non
partisans switched to the Democra-
tic party for its candidates. Repub-
licans and Democrats are wondering
whether the leaguers are playing
both sides against the middle. Ger
tainly they we're caught unprepared
for the sudden change. There pro-
misses to be not only a split along
straight party lines, but important
litigation in the courts before the
dispute is settled.
Many of the Democratic leaders
are outspoken in their determination
to bar H. F. Samuels, the Nonpart-
isan league candidate from the
Democratic ticket. For many years
Samuels was member of the Re-
publican party, serving as chairman
of the Republican committee of Bon
ner county and as a member of the
executive committee of the Republic
can state central committee. His
Identification with the Nonpartisan
league is Of but few months dura-
ton. He is wealthy, having made
his money in the mines of the Couer
d 'Alene. The Samuels hotel at Wal
lace stands as a monument to his
name. During the past few years he
has been clearing 1000 acre ranch
in Bonner county, on which he is
said to be building one of the most
handsome country residences in the
north.
Democrats assert that Samuels has
never been converted to the prin-
ciples of the Democratic party and is
not a Democrat. They assert that
he seeks, with the backing and sup
Port of the league, to secure the NOM
ination for governor from a party
with which he has never been af-
f1liated and that such an act is in
direct opposition to and in violation
of the direct primary law. There
fore, they propose to contest his
nomination. Many of the leading
legal light of the Jeffersonian party
of the state are now reviewing the
statutes of Idaho to prepare the way
for barring the appearance of Sam
uel's name on the Democratic ticket.
! 1t is likely that as soon as his nom
inatiOn is filed with the secretary of
state mandamus proceedings will be
Instituted against that official to pre-
vent certification on the primary
ballot. Democratic leaders declare
that there are many cases at point
on the election law, which will make
it mandatory on part of the supreme
court to bar Samuel's name from
the ballot.
Since the two day convention |
closed some of the side lights of acts |
that took place behind the scenes |
have come to light. The nominees |
Endorsed by the league were selected |
behind closed doors. At the session |
it is said there was present dele |
gate from thirty-eight out of the |
forty-one counties in the state. The |
attendance at the convention was |
disappointing. Even league party |
leaders admitted that fact among
themselves. Close to 1000 league
members were expected to partici-
pate. Less than 200 delegates were
actually in attendance. A. G. Town
ley, national leader of the party, was
held up in Montana and instructed
not to come to the convention be-
cause of the action of the Ada county
defense league which demonstrated
it's opposition to his appearance here
when several hundred of its men,
bers marched to the city hall and
protested to Mayor Hays. The mayor
then issued orders to the police not
to permit Townley to sepak. For
this act he was roundly condemned
by the league which also attacked
members of the league for attempt
ing alleged mob violence. Jesse B. i,
Hawley, chairman and John A. Nc.
Dewitt, vice chairman of the league