The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1892-08-18
MIR. MCCONNELL BUSY
Storekeeper, Undertaken and
Lively Political Rustler.
NEXT GOVERNOR OF IDAHO.
just when He Ought to BE Out Solicit
ing Votes He Had to Dust on the
Hearse for Two Passengers.

Hearse for Two Passengers.
Moscow, Idaho, Aug. H.-fSpecial. +
This has been day of quiet caucusing and
discussion and of preparation by the citi-
Zens for tomorrow's convention. The
sound Of hammers used by the decorators
wakened late political sleepers at an I'M
usual hour this morning, and reminded
the boys from the mines and ranges that
they were in the bilIowy Palouse, where
man and nature begin business together in
the morning and knock off in the dewy
eve, and call it a days work. ALI day
long flags, streamers and bunting have
been run up and strung from point to
point, and tonight the effect is attractive
and decidedly patriotic. G. A. r. hall,
where the convention meets tomorrow,
has come in for a generous share of dec
orations. The hall is two blocks from
the business center, and makes a poor i'm
preston compared with the substantial
and artistic business blocks and public
structures here. 1t is long, low frame
structure. built on the lines of plain
architecture in vogue among pioneer COM
munIties. 1t will seat about 800. In one
end is the stage. which will be occupied
by the speakers, 100 members of the party
and the press. The space in front usually
occupied by the orchestra has been set
aside for the secretaries and tellers. In
front Of these the delegates will be seated
in elliptical lines, Ada county occupying
the front row. There are 100 delegates,
and that number of seats have been set
aside for them. Representation by proxy
Will leave number of vacant seats, but
not many. as an exceptionally full at
tendance is expected in this convention.
Mr.. Connell advances new proposition. In
order to awaken a certain interest in con-
vention work and disarm corporation in
huence he advocates payment by the state
OF mileage to the delegates and the passage
OF stringent laws against acceptance of
passes from railroad companies. To the
objection that this would encourage the
formation of innumerabie parties to prove
a burden on the taxpayers, he replied: II
would allow mileage only to the two lead
ing parties. When a new party came to
the front and cast more votes than the
old, 1t would supplant one of the other
parties. Our party organizations are the
bedrock upon which American institutions
are built, and it would be we'll if the gov
eminent exercised greater influence over
them"
The governorship continues to be the
main question. Mr.. Mcconnell seems to
be sure of his nomination, but his oppo-
nents ridicule this claim and are doing
considerable quiet, active work against
him. Clagett, whom Mcconnell defeated
for senator two years ago, has been on the
ground since last night, and is working
hard to defeat his political foe. He asks
Tor nothing himself, and apparently would
be. very we'll satisfied with either of the
other candidates. McConnell's friends,
however, say Clagett is important as
marplot; that Wiley is unpopular by
reason of the influence exerted over him
by Attorney-General Roberts, and that
Moss has little following. Mcconnell is one
OF the owners of the largest mercantile es-
adjustments in the Palouse, and finds
time. with all his political work, to direct
his business these days. His establish
meut embraces o wide and diversified
scope of business interests as he puts it /:
it takes care of people when they are alive
and buries them with style when they are
dead, an undertaking establishment being
part of the institution. By reason of a
rush Of business in that department today
(the two funerals), he seems to have been
placed at a slight disadvantage in caucus
ing and work on combinations, and, as
Grover Cleveland would say. his rivals are
chuckling with girlish glee. The Demo-
Gratis say that this is significant; that if
Mcconnell is elected he will drive hearse
to the cemetery, but the Republicans can
retort that the Democratic party will be
the corpse.
The Ada county delegation remains
split on the governorship. They met in
caucus this morning at 10 and decided to
vote as unit for Sweet for congress. Sui
livan for supreme judge and Coffin for
treasurer. and to present unanimously the
name of Jonas Brown, of their county, for
attorney general. The question of COVER
norship was brought up, but it was quickly
seen that agreement was out of the ques-
ton. and it was dropped. During the day
Judge Clagett, who appears to be the gen.
eral of the anti-McConnell faction, asked
for conference with Ada county
on behalf of the Shoshone delegates
already here. Those delegates who
are against Mcconnell promptly assented,
but six supporters of the Moscow man de-
clined to go into conference in a body, but
sent a single representative to keep them
selves informed. The meeting did not re-
suit in anything important or definite,
although good deal of talking was done.
The Shoshone delegation is now here in a
body and have opened headquarters in
room of the Moscow hotel. Two small
American flags are crossed over the tran
som, and outside the door reclines a ban
ner with the inscription: Tried and true :;
Shoshone county for Governor Wiley, law
and good government" The county
is a unit on this line. The dele
cations from the Southeastern Idaho
counties got in today at 5 o'clock. They
were met ut the depot, half mile from the
business center, by band and brought up
town with considerable eclat. They wore
Harrison hats and linen busters and car
ried cat tails upon their shoulders. After
them came Governor Wiley, Mr.. McCon-
nell and Marshal Pinkham in q carriage.
Arriving in front of the hotel, three
cheers were given for Idaho and three
more for Harrison and Reed. The same
train brought in J ohm A. Finch, Mr.. Esler
and Barbarian Brown.
Tonight the Moscow hotel is a veritable
bee hive. A dozen delegations are can
wasting. and there is great activity upon
the part OF the candidates. The hotel is
crowded TO the guards and nearly 100 cots
have been brought in TO accommodate the
rush. This is not result of lack of
hotel accommodations, for plenty of room
can be found at other good hotels, but is
due tn a general desire on tina mart