Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1922-03-09

ALEXANDER IS
.H|NTEDF0R3D.
AS GOV.
Former Governor May Be In
duced to Enter Campaign
on Behalf of Democrats
Crying Need for Economy
in State Government Brings
Him into the Limelight


Moses Alexander, twice governor of
Idaho, may be drafted by the Demo
cratic party to carry the party stand.
ard in the coming gubernator;al cam
paign. says Boise correspondent. The
possibility was viewed with unusual
Importance in Boise because the i'm
preston has prevailed that under no
circumstances would Ex-Governor
Alexander permit his name to be
used in connection with the gov
ernorship. 1t is also taken for
granted that if he will permit himself
to be drafted, he is in receptive mood
to make the sacrifice necessary for
his party, although in no sense is he
candidate. Democrats who profess
to know, declare if Mr.. Alexander
can be induced to enter the
race, he will be elected as the
next governor on taxation platform.
LAND STEAL UP
The second development in political
! circles that is bound to have a direct
bearing on the coming campaign is
/ the fight that has been conducted over
4 which the enemies of the measure
have branded as Gland steal, - for it
permits an exchange of stump lands
| for grazing lands in southern Idaho
and gives to a few monopoly of the
latter to be controlled by them in the
future. 1t is probable that 10 fight
| in the state has been conducted with
| such intense bitterness or with greater
determination. The fact that Fred w.
Gooding, brother of U. S. |
Senator Frank r. Gooding, was to be
one of the beneiciaries of the trans
action because of options he and his
associates held in Northern Pacific |
lands, did not improve the appearance |
of the case and resulted in an almost |
sweeping demand that the bill be kill
ed through the presidential veto,
which has been done.
That the Democrats hope to capital
ize the maneuvering that went on over
the bill is not a secret. They consid-
er that the fight places in their hands
| unexpected political thunder they had
not heretofore banked on and they
have been gleeful over the develop
ments ever since the fight started.
ISSUE ON TAXES
The Democrats have decided TO
make their fight during the campaign
on the high tax issue, the direct pri-
mary and the land issue, it is said.
They are exhibiting more confidence
since the land issue came up and are
eager now to iron out a. ticket that
Will meet with the united support of
all Of the factions, for they believe
II this can be brought about they are
assured victory with such big issues
with which to go before the people.
Nothing has been left undone to bring
about harmony and to eliminate con-
met. This has been more difficult
tnan appears on the surface because
OF the differences, the prejudices and
'ne enmities that stood in the way.
The Democrats are getting together,
ana from the Republican leaders point
VI view that looks decidedly danger
gus They prefer more conflict and
greater dlssention among their political
opponents. They do not like the
iookS OF the Democratic political hori-
1on, says the Boise correspondent.
Inc very announcement of the
name Oh Ex-Governor Alexander in
.o9nectlon with the governorship gives
iaint Idea of the progress that has
oeen made by the Democrats to bring
s sooet peace in their own political
ealnliy When Governor Alexander
nist went into office he used the
pruning knife with such effect that
appropriations of all kinds and char
a..er were severely cut. He cut
mere and he cut there anu did it
.u'nlessly. There was demand for
ssuonomy in the expenditure of public
r lunus then, just as there is now, and
ou.ernor Alexander promised pro
San Oh economy. Naturally he made
fpn DIV. hy the wholesale.
s Out ne kept on cutting, uring mis-
policy. ou '''s
DEMAND FOR ECONOMY
oa me clamoring demand now is for
tsO. The people are insisting
Goo, .nelr taxes be reduced. They
~ mat the burden is becoming too
he easy Tor them to carry. They will
~. satisfied with only the assurance
sns the next governor of this state
ana tne next legislature will cut right
tbo flu ieit IN appropriations and bring
VEL. down to what they claim is
;nn ".n reason. The man who is will
w;n 70 meet the demand of the people
NC the man of the hour in Idaho.