Idaho County free press. [volume] (Grangeville, Idaho Territory) 1886-current, 1897-01-15
1T WAS A SURPRISE FOR BOISE
The Democrats and silver Repub-
licans Unite for the Control
of Both Houses.

Boise, Idaho Jan. 4.-The fourth session
of the Idaho legislature has been opened.
1t began at noon today. The very first
steps taken developed a surprise for the
public, 1t being shown that the populists
had been thrown overheard and that the
democrats had taken the organization
into their own hands, with the assistance
of the silver republicans. The pu..,c
was so surprised that 1t scarcely realized
what had taken place, though there was
not an incident or any character In
either house tnat would indicate to an
outsider that anything unexpected was
occurring.
In both houses the democrats named
all the officers, the silver republicans vot-
Ing with them solidly on every PROPOSE
ton. The deal was arranged only an
hour before the meeting of the legisla-
ture. There had been continued negotia-
lions between the democrats and popu-
lists up to that time. The silver repub-
licans had notified the democrats that
they would support straight democrat
ic slate, and 1t was after II o'clock when
the democrats informed them that the
deal with the populists was off, and the
proposal would be accepted.
The officers chosen are as follows:
House-Speaker. A. II. Afford, of Nez
Perce chief clerk, William B. Shepperd,
of Bear Lake; assistant chief clerk, L. r.
Leeds, Of Ada; journal clerk, Miss M.
b. Sweetman, of Latah; enrolling clerk,
r. ]. Tardy, Of Oneida; engrossing clerk,
Miss Mollie Galloway, of Canyon; chap.
lain, Mrs. Rebecca Mitchell, of Bingham;
sergeant at arms, w. b. Stanton, of Nez
Perez door keeper, Lew Clawson, of
Blaine; pages H. c. Feltham and Clar-
ence Morgan.
Senate-President pro tenn, Joseph c.
Rich, of Bear Lake: secretary, Swain
Beatty, of Canyon; assistant secretary,
w. M. b. Helfrich, of Gilmore; engrossing
clerk, Hyram Kicks. of Fremont; enroll
Ing clerk, Miss Anna l.. Coughanour, Of
Canyon; journal clerk, Harry +. Ensign,
of Blaine; chaplain, Rev. d. M. Mercy
nolds, of Ada; sergeant at arms, Jesse
Pollard, of Ada; page, Charles McCarty,
Of Ada; door keeper, e. J. Nordyke.
There are some places in each house
left vacant for the time being.
The populists were much incensed at
their democratic allies, and have INDUCED
In much bitter denunciation of them
They claim they were promised and were
entitled to the legislature under the fu-
sion agreement, and had a right to con-
troll 1t.
The democrats claim 1t was expressly
stipulated that they should have control
Of the state government, and this neces-
sarily involved control of the legislature.
What effect 1t is to have on the senate
rial contest can not yet be toretold.
There was no agreement respecting the
senatorial matter Some populists state
they will vote for Dubois rather than a
democrat, but others state they do not
think the senatorial program will be dis
turbed by today's events. The silver re-
publicans are conducting a waiting cam
paign, and the general impression outside
of the ranks of his active opponents Is
that sentiment In favor of Dubois is
growing.
State Officers Installed.
Governor Frank Steunenberg, Supreme
Justice Quarles and all the new state off,
GERS were quietly installed today. There
was no ceremony. At 10 o'clock they all
assembled in the supreme court room
and there took the oath of office. So far
few changes have been made in the cler-
ical forces.