The Idaho Republican. [volume] (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1904-1932, 1919-01-07

Resolutions in the usual multi
tude await the converting of the mex
legislature Monday.
Whether because the next session
is to be controlled by Republican!
or not, a survey of these recomme
dations in the aggregate points to ;
remarkable tendency toward the fav
orite Republican principle of central
ization.
Practically every reform or change
sponsored under the pressure o.
public opinion tends towards closer
knitting of the states administra
tive functions.
Some Insistent Demands.
This is indicated in the clamol
from all quarters for change of the
direct primary law; to shorten its
processes and to put it on plane
where each step of its operation can
be weighed in terms of responsible
ity against party organizations; by
persistent declarations that the state
land board should be made a COM
mission organization instead of be-
ing continued in its present form
as an ex-officio body, made up OF
elective officials whose every ACT
can be plainly counted in gain or
loss of votes; by the growing favor
of the budget system; which would
be to the states finances a central
izer of expenditures-to mention on
ly a few.
Change Primary Law.
There seems to be every indica-
ton that modification of the direct
primary law will be undertaken,
and that there will be but little op-
position to its revision. Republican
solons, with few exceptions, have so
expressed themselves, and Democrats
do not mention the subject without
declaring for a change to prevent
capture of organizations by third
parties, having in their favor a prac-
teal example of the present laws
defect in the capture of their own
organization last summer by the
Nonpartisans.
1t is believed the Nonpartisan lea
que will insist on its seven represen-
tatives and six senator's standing out
against making any changes in the
law. The result would be only to adj
vertise the leagues position, as in
the face of the overwhelming Repub-
lican and Democratic sentiment the
Nonpartisans could do nothing.
Action at Last Session.
Two years ago reform bill direct
ed at the primary law was passed
by the senate by majority of four
and was lost in the house by only
one vote. This bill provided for
nomination of county officials under
the present plan but for election Of
county delegations to state conven-
ton to nominate state candidates
Senator Borah expressed the wish
that the matter be referred to a ref
erendum vote.
Organization of a new MALTA will
be one of the most important matters
to be considered by the new legis
lature. As a neclns for new regi-
ment companies have been organic
ed at Boise, Moscow, Standpoint and
Pocatello, and a company which
was recently mustered out at Am
erican Falls, would probably be av-
ailable for a new organization.
Some Military Legislation.
State legislation may be affected
to a great extent by action on the
question of universal training in
congress, as different system OF
managing defense organizations
might be worked out to take the
place of the present national guard
plan.
With the liberalization of the End
Idaho for service overseas in the
great war, Idaho lost its national
guard as a state organization. 1t is
for this reason that another regiment
must be organized.
Ratification of the national pro-
hibition amendment will be one of
the duties of the new legislature. II
is believed that the amendment will
be ratified unanimously by the Ida
no solons. A census of states by an
eastern newspaper indicates that the
necessary SO states for passage of the
amendment will ratify it.
Should congress pass the nation
al suffrage amendment. it also will
come up for ratification at this ses-
sion. With Senator Borah holding
out against the amendment because
of the attitude of the southern states
against it, and because he believes
it a state problem instead of ma
tional one. it is believed there will
probably be some opposition to the
amendment among Idaho Republic
cans, although a majority of the leg
islators would probably give the
measure their support.
May Change Land Board.
Decentralization of III ,4oao lad