Blackfoot news. (Blackfoot, Idaho) 1891-1902, 1896-12-19
The Senatorship.

The election of United States Sem
Rtor to succeed Senator Dubois is be-
coming as much q subject of discussion
in Idaho as the Cuban question is in
the state OF Florida It is becoming the
common talk at the breakfast table, in
the Office, on the street corner and
wherever two or three are gathered
together"
The Populists are claiming by rights
of agreement the distinguished honor
of naming the man. In the forceful
language of Old Hickory, they say:
''By the eternals, we viii name him.
The Democrats, ashamed of the pit
fall into which they were entrapped
last summer. are saying but little on
the subject matter but are industriously
using the saw, the wood-horse and the
wood. The Silver Republicans are
hopeful almost TO the extent of the
sanguine, and are gathering their
forces well in hand.
In the Populist party there is trouble
among the leaders The prize is q
great one and they all want it.
away down on Old Tar river.
Ten oyerseers 10 one little nigger."
And it Is being told that each aspir-
ant, like Napaleon's old guard will
die before he viii relinquish his claims
Judge Clagett, outside of his own
party, has been looked upon as the log
zeal and leading candidate, but the
more observing and best informed. are,
within the last few days, weakening on
his chances, and are beginning to claim
that his election is almost an impossi-
bility. Several things are conspiring
against him.
Ex-State Senator Boyce, of the Min
ers' Union is pronounced candidate,
and will have the backing and the
money of his organizations at his beck
and call. It is certain that he can
command more of the ''16 to II than
any other man of his party. After
Boyce, comes Ruick, Walton, J. Ed
Smith. Williams, Glenn, Cooper, Wes-
ter, Crook, Nelson, Orr, Clough, Bru.
ner, Ballentine, and so on ad infinitum
and each one will be on deck when the
last ballot is taken.
The Democrats occupy an unenyiablt
position and present pitiable pligh
10 the eyes of the outside world. The
might have had the honor as easily a
if borne TO them on a silver platter
But now they do not know what to d,
and Micawber like, ''are waiting 70
something 70 turn up" Ny country
men, what predicament to be in.
Butler, the leader Of the Populists
tells them they are stencil in the nos
trils Of his party, and there win neve
again be fusion for the Offices. vii
they, under those circumstances, com
bine to elect Boyce, or one of tn
twenty in line? II they do, farewell
and long farewell to Democrat
power in Idaho.
Senator Dubois will have a stronge
following at the beginning of the bal
lot than any other one candidate, bu
he has a combination against hin
which will be difficult to overcome a
the race progresses. The complex cor
dition Of affairs will attract the eyes 3
the whole country to the Idaho legi:
lature in January. Everybody will wan
TO know If Idaho will give up the chan
pion Of silver for an untried and uu
known Populist. Everybody will wan
10 know If the Democrats of Idaho viii
tamely surrender TO the Populist a
Office that may be of lasting service +
the National party within the next 81
years, and may be instrumental i
keeping the Democrats in power in tn
state for the same period OF time. E,
erybOdy will want to know If we hay
the ability to do the right thing at tn
right time. They will Judge Of US b
the action of our legislature in elect
ing Senator. May the right prevail