Wood River times. [volume] (Hailey, Idaho) 1882-1915, 1889-02-15
THE DIVISION FIGHT.
How the Majority Attempted to Gag
the Minority, but Only Succeeded In
Getting into a Tangle-A Deserved
Tribute to Hon. j. T. ClOugh.

USvtthS lutO lang a DCSCA you
Tribute to Hon. j. +. Clough.
Editor Salt Lake Tribune
The writer was in Boise City dur
ing the intensely bitter fight running
through the last few weeks OH the
division of Alturas county in the
Legislature, and the view shall en-
deavor to present of the conditions
existing during the fight will, l trust,
be candid and fair.
1t was not claimed at any time by
the supporters of the division omni-
bus bill, known as the substitute bill,
that it was a just or fair measure of
segregation; it was acknowledged by
its supporters to be bad measure,
but that it combined strength in both
Houses that would insure its pas
sage. Surely, with so open a confess
S on Of its injustice as its most ardent
supporters made in all stages of its
progress In the Assembly, it would
not be denied to those upon whom the
injustice would fall, that they should
earnestly and courageously oppose
the measure in all constitutional ways
open to them.
With two-to.one majority in the
lower House supporting the bill, the
minority was gagged i'll the commit
tee Of the whole and no fair discus
sion of the matter was permitted. The
majority tied themselves up in a
dead lock in the House because of
their ignorance Of parliamentary
practise, and without the assistance
of the miniorty sat hours that were
precious to the anti-divisionists, do
ing nothing. The substitute bill was
never printed; no discussion of it
was permitted by the ma ority, and
such delay in its passage as was eff
fected came by flibustering, or in
other words by taking advantage of
the rules OF the House made by the
majority.
When the bill reached the Council,
it was referred to select committee
of three, with one of the most rabid
divisionists a member, and reported
back by them, unanimously recon.
mended that it be amended, as it
was imperfectly drawn, the lines of
one county being left incomplete,
and that, under the terms of the bill,
it gave one half OF Bear Lake county
to Bingham county, which was rot
confer plated by the trainers of the
bill. Despite the recommendation
referred to in the foregoing, the
minority was again gagged in the
committee of tho whole, aud no dis
cussion was permitted. The com
mittee. after ten minutes wrangle
rose aud reported the bill back with
out amendments, recommending its
passage. This was at l. o'clock o.
the night of the Eth, and, taking its
regular order, it could not come W
for final passage until the following
day, or after the session of the Legis
lature had expired by limitation
The majority attempted to suspend
the rules on this measure, and were
defeated again by the minority, as /,
required a two thirds vote to suspend
and the vote was seven to four.
On all other measures, most Of then
affecting the whole Territory, thu
minority seconded every effort of tn
majority to suspend the rules and &c
the business off the calendar; but Oh
this measure, affecting vitality the in
terests Of tie one county, they refused
to suspend the rules, simply exercis
ing their rights under the rules ant
practise of the body of which the
were members, thereby preventin
, the majority from perpetrating wha
t they deemed would be great injus
tice to portions of Alturas county.
This condition of things continue
until 1870 a. m, when a motion wa
made BY Judge MAYHEM to unseat NJ
4 J. P. Clough, President OF the Cour
5 Gil. As Mr.. Clough would have n
! vote on this question, the majorit
could work its will upon him, and a
the time set by Congress when tn
b session should expire by limitation ha
: passed, Nj. Cough rose from hi
0 chair and in a clear voice announce
the fact and adjourned the Counc
sine die. Your correspondent mis-
states the matter when he writes tn,
Mr.. Clough was sired from the chair.
a He left the chair after adjournng tn
- Council.
Your correspondent has done NJ
Clough very great wrong in /
= letters to your paper. MIR. John I
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