Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1891-02-27
CLAGGETTvS SPEECH.
What He Said Uhen He Has
Elected to the Senate.

BOISE CITY, Feb. l2-Folowing is the
speech delivered by Judge VIII Caggett
from the balcony of the Overland hotel
after his election to the U. S. senate.
A significant expression is that "under
the theory and genius of our govern
ment there is no such thing as a dcta-
tor or boss" 1t indicates clearly his
determination, in case he is seated, as
he confidently expects to be- to make
life interesting to ice-holders who
have been devoting their attention to
Duboiss campaign instead of their off,
ces, and break down the forces which
have made Dubois SO potential in Idaho.
Mr.. Claggett said:
Gentlemen and Fello,o CHtzens:-It is a
difficult matter for me at this time to
find within the limits of my mother
tongue words sufficiently strong and
sweet to express to you the gratitude
which feel at the compliment of this
reception. l do not know whether the
senate of the United States will ratify
the action of the legislature OF the state
of Idaho to-day. but l know that it
ought to do SO, and profoundly believe
that it will. (Great applau,e]
1t has been to me source of regret
that matters have SO arranged them
selves in the order OF time and event as
to leave even suspicion of doubt as
to the title of any one of the represent
atives of this young state to his seat in
! the senate of the United States. / had
fondly hoped that when the legislature
! convened all of its proceedings would be
governed and carried on with that high
degree of order and decency such as was
BETTING the dignity of any state, no
matter how young or old it might be as
state in the Union. If anything to
the contrary has transpired it is source
of great regret. And | simply say here,
that so far as this demonstration is con-
cerned, and SO far as the action of your
legislative bodies to-day is concerned, it
is not and was not in any sense a parti
san proceeding, but that it was move
ment of those representatives who re-
spond to the influences of the public
will and the public desire in favor of
| compelling all party representatives to
stand by the pledges which they make
to the people at the time they are soici-
ting their sutfrages before an election
Applause. If no other result shall
follow what has been done by the legis-
lature, the future of this state at least
will ha irnprovad anJ bona6tod - 49,.
respect, for l believe that in the next
fifty years to come no political party in
the state of Idaho will have the bad
courage to palter in a double sense with
the conscience and intelligence of the
masses OF the people of this state. TAp-
plause.l One thing is certain, that par
ty managers who go against that con-
science and violate that intelligence
can safely expect to be called to an ac-
counting for it.
l wish to say to you, fellow citizens,
that l thank most warmly and heartily
each and every one of the gentlemen,
the members of the legislature, by
whose favoring suffrages I have been
elected to the position to which have
aspired. l thank them each and all and
particularly, if necessary, thank the gem
tlemen of an opposite political faith from
my own. who kept the party faith of
their own platform. when am sorry to
say the representatives and leaders of
ours did not. And wish to say to you
in addition to this, that to the good peo-
pie of Idaho at large, from whom have
| received-except from few-nothing
but kindest wishes, l wish to return my
thanks; and to each and every one,
man, woman and child-for l love the
children and ladies even better than l
love the men applause and laugh
teri return also my grateful and APP
preciative thanks. If it shall be my
fortune, and l believe it will be, to oc-
cupy a seat in that distinguished body.
which has still clinging around its walls
the memories of immortal statesmen
who have gone before, / shall remem-
Der one thing at each and all times, that
under the theory and genius of our gov
ernment there is no such thing as die
tator or boss, but that in our theory of
government, and in our practices of
government we have applied the same
law which the founder of Christianity
himself applied when he taught his dis
ciples that important lesson by the
washing of their feet. "He that would
be chief among you must be the servant
of ALL" (Applause.l And recognizing
and accepting the election which has
come to me unsolicited, unbargained
for. and without single contract of any
kind [applause] from any member OF
the legislature who voted for me, l can
simply pledge to the people of this
state that in all of my official actions |
! will be guided by but one thought. and