Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-02-05
HEITFELD THE WINNER
CHOSEN SENATOR FROM IDAHO To
SUCCEED FRED T. DUBOIS,
Lone Gold Republican Of the Legis-
Iature Changed His Vote and
Settled the Fight.

lie Will nave oeen prepared py yesterday o
dispatches for the news that Henry Heit-
field is the senator-elect from Idaho.
When the crucial ballot came the popu-
lists rallied and gave their candidate a
solid vote, while ID Of the democrats and
the single republican in the legislature
Joined them. Heitfeld's vote was 80. while
Dubois secured 30. T. F. Nelson had one
vote on the final ballot. There was a.
great crowd in the house when the time
for the ballot arrived. 1t was known that
In all probability there would be an cleo
ton, and nervousness prevailed every
where. As the roll was called, Bryan.
populist. passed. Ballentine, democrat.
voted for Texas Angel Bassett, demo-
crat, cast his vote for Lewis; Coughanour.
democrat. was recorded for Nelson; Fem,
republican, voted for ]. M. Fisher: Ran
dolph. populist, for Nelson, and HAYS.
democrat, for Wester, while Heitfeld
passed.
Changed to Heitfeld.
At the conclusion Of the roll 1t was
seen that Heitfeld had IS votes, one less
than a majority Of the total membership.
Fem. gold republican. then arose and
changed to Heitfeld. There was consid-
cradle confusion, and statements differ
about just what he said, but a number
Of those near him state it was to the ef-
feet that he was glad to be able to vote
to defeat the free coinage advocate, Sem
ator Dubois. He changed to Heitfeld.
Randolph changed to Heitfeld and Bryan
and Heitfeld had their votes recorded for
the populist nominee, making the vote 49,
Ballentine, Hays and Bassett changed
to Dubois. Clawson, democrat, had vot-
ed Tor Dubois. making four democratic
votes Tor the silver republican leader
There was no demonstration over the re-
suit. Some Of the populists applauded.
Hamer, leader of the Dubois forces,
offered protest against recording the
votes Of Briggs and Orr, the populists
who were seated by a vote Of the house
In place Of two Dubois men. The chair
ruled that he had a right to have the
protest recorded for future decision If
necessary. The joint assembly took a
recess until o'clock, to approve the jour-
nal, Rich moving that Dubois be invited
to address the assembly. During the bal
ioting Clawson offered to read a number
OF dispatches he had received commend
ing him for the vote he had given for
dubois the day before. He was denied
the privilege of doing so. These were
from national democratic leaders.
McMurrfn Not a Free Agent.
McMurrtn Of Oneida said: IT desire to
ay few words in explanation of my
vote. understand 1t is the wish of
the national democracy that a certain
gentleman should be voted for today in
this legislature, and that he should be
returned as United States senator from
Idaho. l should like very much. IL it
were possible. to comply with the wishes
OF the national democracy. 1t would de-
hgnt my heart II l could act in accord
ance With their wishes, but 1 am not
here. gentlemen. through my own will.
but the will of those who sent me. The
only opportunity that these people have
OF casting vote upon this important
question Is through their representative.
and were I to do otherwise than they
have suggested for me to do, than they
have indicated by their vote 1 should do.
the cry would go up throughout Oneida
county that was a Benedict Arnold"
Words of a Gallant Champion.
When the joint assembly re-assembled
at o'clock. the populists made an effort
on approval Of the journal to prevent the
proposed appearance Of Dubois. A mo-
ton to adjourn sine die was defeated, and
the senator was introduced. Dubois said
in part:
Il thank you for this courtesy of invit-
ing me to address you today. It Is the
first time have ever had the pleasure Of
seeing the Idaho legislature in session,
although twice 1 have been a candidate
for election to the highest and grandest
ONCE In the world at your hands, 1t
pleases me to see you here personally and
to ask any friends of mine that they will
In no way consider the contest which has
Just closed as personal one. beseech
all Of my friends in this legislature who
have been loyal and true, who have stood
out for a principle in such a manner as
to command the respect Of the entire
United States (applause), those loyal men
who would go to death for a principle,
that they will let nothing in this contest
AFFECT them so far as it relates to their
duties to the state Of Idaho. I ask all
OF them to give to this state the very
best laws possible, to close this contest
today as I close 1t, to work hand In hand
with the gentlemen who differed from
them as to who would best represent the |
state in the halls Of the national congress.
I ask all of you to give your most loyal |
and earnest support to my successor.
Without your support he will fail. You
must stand by him. You must under |
stand that he Is surrounded by tempta-
tons and difficulties. When he stands |
there before the world as a representa-
tive Of this people and battles for your |
Interests as best he can, stand by him.
When he combats those men whom he
will find there when they throw down the |
gage of battle and he picks 1t up, stand |
by him In the fight that he must make. |
We are now in the midst of the greatest |
struggle that ever confronted any people |
In this world. I say with all the earn |
estness and all the intensity Of my nature |
that the single gold standard Is the great /
est curse that can be imposed upon any /
nation. (Applause)
mo disappointment Of yours. none of |
mine, should for an instant make us wav- |
er in this fight which has been inaugur- |
ated and which must be won to restore |
the money of. the constitution" Gap
plause.)