The Ketchum keystone. [volume] (Ketchum, Idaho) 1885-1899, 1894-04-21
Poker Bills Greatest Blunder.

Governor Mcconnell has again
rushed in "where angels fear to
tread" From C9ur d'Alene comes
the report of the most knavish ex-
plot that he has been guilty of
since his administration. We al
Jude to his acts in connection with
the late fatalities in the Bunker
Hill and Sullivan mines.
In order to further his political
designs, Governor Mcdonnell at the
last legislature piloted through sew
eral measures creating appointive
offices such as the mine and boiler
inspector. No one could deny the
worth Of such inspection, if prop.
erly executed, and it was no doubt
owing to this fact that the legisla-
tors responded SO readily to the
governors proposition, and acted
so promptly in placing these laws
upon the statutes. 1t was not sus-
pected at that time that Governor
McConnells motive in creating
these measures was entirely self sh
and without as much concern tor
the lives and property Of the com
monwealth as for being a valuable
assistance in his campaign for U.
S. Senator. Now the cold facts are
developed to public gaze and con-
demnation. No doubt many who
supported these measures, had they
realized the exact object the gov
ernor had in view, would have been
inclined to have hesitated in their
course.
The facts Of Governor Neon
nell's doings in North Idaho, as set
forth in the Silver Star, published
at Gem and Burke, in letter from
the pen Of j. +. Whelan Of the
Miners Union, are as follows:
The Bunker Hill and Sullivan
mines we're in precarious condi-
ton. The works underground were
improperly tinbored, and the mems
lives were In constant danger.
The State mine inspector, w. S.
Haskins, was petitioned by the
miners through official correspond
ence to give the matter immediate
attention. He failed to do so.
Nine lives had been lost in this
mine under his inspection in 1898,
and three more lives were crushed
ont and several men badly injured
by big cave in the same works in
February, lSo4-two months after
the state inspector has heen notified
of the precarious condition of The
mines. Mr.. Haskins plainly failed
in his official duty and six hundred
miners in the Ceur d 'Alenes realiz-
ing the unftness Of Mr.. Haskins
for the Office, signed and forwarded
a petition to Governor Mcconnell
praying for his removal from office,
and that capable successor might
be appointed.
What did the worthy Chief Mag
istrate Of Idaho do2 1t was q most
ignoble thing After promising the
miners that he would give the mat
ter his personal attention, and as.
suring them Justice and protection
he goes to the mines, obtains the
prejudicial evidence Of a few higl
salaried servants of the company
ignores the humble miners, neg
lects to inspect the underground
workings, accomplished nothing
but q farce, and then crowns his
infamy by handing over to the
Cnur d'Alene mine owners the pc
tition of elk hundred names to b,
blacklisted This act is justly char
acterized by the miners of C9ul
d'Alene as a perlidious outrage, anC
it is more than likely that Governo
McConnell's political standing il
that region has been lowered to
great extent.
| II ldaho's most noble governo
does not succeed in hurying til
brave men who toll in the Cnu
d'Alene mines beneath the debri
of a neglected mine, he will doubt
less contrive to bury himself in tn
depths of political oblivion.