| Show A BIGGER BID IT seems that the idaho democracy has taken a step which is meant to be a bigger bid for or the Mor mormon monn vote in that state than that made by the republicans public ans whether it will prove to be so reality will remain to be seen the committee commit teb on resolutions appointed by the boise convention are reported as having agreed on the an as a plank in the platform of the party we denounce the hypocrisy of th the 0 republican party in dealing wl with th the mormon question and whereas the test oath embodied in the constitution ot of the state of idaho in relation to the elective franchise Is ia pu sufficiently far reaching to protect the rights of the state and insure the rights of df electors and whereas whereas tire the republican legislature of the last session having in view the perpetual disfranchisement of the ins large go class of people known as mor mons added to the constitutional provision vit ion an ex post facto condition and this long after the mormons cormons Mor mons through their heir president and people in the most solemn manner had abandoned all their teachings aud practices and whereas the action ad ion of the mormon people in these respects has been accepted by the national democracy in good faith therefore be it resolved that we brand the provision in the election law passed by the republicans public ans of the last legislature as un and radically ex post facto that we demand its absolute and unconditional dit ional repeal and that we favor an immediate test case in the proper courts for the determination of the constitutionality of said law in order that this prescribed classow class of citizens may exercise the right of franchise at the coming elec elections ions I 1 that to in very good on paper it will in all probably be accepted bythe by the convel convention fion or something substantially the same will be adopted but will anything be done to protect the mormon mony 1 efti citizens zens who are practically dis dia franchised by the legislation reft referred to if any of them attempt to vote a h the fall election there will be great difficulty in obtaining a final fin il decision in any ease case that may be brought before the courts we believe however that both parties admit the unconstitutionality of the state legislation on the subject the state constitution has a provision which has passed muster as not violating the constitution of the united states in its letter while it Is open to grave object ims in the light of the spirit of that instrument but the character of the law wirl passed nosed by the state legislature will no doubt render it void when tested in the courts and if we not members of both parties aided in its passage we hope our friends in the north will be sure they are right before they attempt to go ahead in november the dom dem cratic party of idaho may now be very anxious to remove their disabilities but it to is not forgotten in idaho that both parties worked to create those disabilities and that whatever has been done by the democracy i finlater in later times voters who pleased themselves in jeopardy for that party did not dot at the time receive that support which they had a right to expect from it this will naturally make them cautious now and if not it i aught to do so they should run no risks but walk on firm ground to the polls or else not go there at all we shall be pleased to eee aee something practical in reference to the rights of mormon citizens in idaho no matter from which political party it may come resolutions are all very well to begin with but deeds are what will count it may be that a demand for or registration may furnish the test teat case am that is needed but it to quite doubtful whether that can be and finally determined in time t be of avail at the next election if it ran can be done it will be very interesting to pee nee who will oppose the application and who will try to prevent the case daae coming to an issue in time to be of any goo I 1 for either party this year andia and it the way is cleared for them at the polls it will be quite as interesting tome to see how either party will view the certain I 1 not fact that the marmins Mor mins 1 will not rush in a body to support port either the democrats democrate or the republicans |
