Lewiston teller. [volume] (Lewiston, North Idaho) 1878-1900, 1897-01-14
Boise Correspondence.

DEAR TELLER--:For the first time in
her history the State of Idaho sexrer-
fencing the delights of IA democratic
administration.
Promptly at 10 O'clock a. IN. on Mon
day, January 9Th, the democratic and
pOpulist state officers elect assembled
in the Supreme court room. being ns-
cOrted by the Oute Ding republican Off
Gals. The oath OF Office was admin
istered by the Chief Justice, the new
officers were conducted to their respec-
tive offices by the gentlemen whom
they succeeded and the thing was done
NJ far IA the executive and judicial
branches Of the government were con
cerned. The members of the legisla
ture being restrained 10y the law could
not initiate reform proceedings until
the finger OF time pointed To high noon.
When twelve O'Clock finally came the
Senate was called to order by Lieut..
Governor Rierbower aud Moore prac-
ticaliv Jointly. The later having been
sworn IL a- IL state officer was legally
entitled to act, while the former fol
lowing well established precedent
thought he should be given IA chance
to exhibit his skill AS II presiding OIL
Ger, but courtesy aud pre- .cdent Of
course have no place among reform
elements and the curley Haired Bier
hover had to step down and out with
such grace as the circumstance would
permit.
The House If Representatives was
called to order properly by Chief Clerk
Gwinn, Of the last House and after the
certificate of the Secretary of State
showing the persons entitled to sea $
M per the returns had been read, the
body ut once took steps to elect speak
er and right then occurred the frs,
surprise Of the session. The populisis
and democrats had been unable to
fuse to any marked extent on the
organization, they had conferred re-
peatedly but to no purpose; the demo
Gratis Insisted upon naming the Speaker
~ condition precedent to fusion on
organization. The Pops objected
Thus matters TODD when voting for
Speaker commenced. But few names
had Teen called when 1t became mani
fest that the democrats had been firt-
ing with the DubOisites. The result
showed that the democrats and silver
republicans had stood together to II
man and elected LewistOn's favored
SON, Afford, Speaker. Then the Pops
reared. They had been out generated
and sigDally cleft" The new alliance
had won aud the Pops again saw his
tory repeat itself. Democrats had
again been traitors. The attaches of
the House were chosen by the same
combination that elected the Speaker
and are all democrats. The secret of
the whole transaction IL this, u major
ity 1T the pOpullst members favor
CIaggett for U. 3. Senator, the demo-
Gratis bitterly oppose the Gray EagI,
Tor that position saying "any populist
but Claggett IL good enough for us bu t
he can not have our support. Now,
the democrats were resolved at any
cost to prevent the election of a Speak |
er who could lave the power to appoint
committees In such form as to pjac.
ClagRett men In control Of alt commit. !
tees ana thereby influence members
who might have important measures
before the Legislature aud hold such
me Dbers In the Claggett ranks. The
democrats, Of course, pretended that all !
they desired was the control of legisla-
ton, they being In charge Of the State
government and responsible not only !
for the policy OF the administration but |
also for the legislation to be adopted. |
The senatorial solution OF the matter is |
the true one, however.
Mary people saw In the union Of !
democratic and Dubious forces above |
mentioned, an indication that the Sill. |
YER Senator had captured the demo
cratic hosts and would be promptly |
elected to succeed himself. but | do |
not think this to I've fact. The dem
Ocrnts are very bitter against Freddy
i. and declare that they will never re-
turn to the u. s. Senate u NAH who
attempted to corrupt the incorruptubIe. |
tO.wit. Hon. Joe Rich, State senator
from Bear Lake county, who by the
way 10 the accepted political Oraci.
among democratic legislator. and the
most pronounced ant-Dubois man in !
the Legislature. Int rest ut present
centers In the Committee on Privileges
and Elections Of the House, where the
three contested seats IN the body are |
now being weighed In the political bal.
nnce. The committee Is very reticent,
the members declining 10 give away /
any Of the inside secrets, but 1t IL sur
missed by many well IL formed per. on
Ages that the sitting member from
Ada, the only gold bug, will retain his
aeat " lille the two Duloisites from
Bingham county will find themselves
unable to tread their titles clear" and |
will have to yield their seats in favor
OF the pOpulist contestants. The facts
regarding these seats can not be known
until Monday next when the commit
tee will make Its report.
There 10 one contest in the Senate.
It involves the senatorship from Blng
ham county, but II IL now very gener-
ally understood that Turner, Dul,oisite,
who received certificate Of election
will b. busted and democrat, Taylor,
be awarded the seat. Taylor is typi-
cal democrat and gained considerable
nOtOriety by his course rs member of
the Council of the Fifteenth session of
the Territorial Legislature.
The oasting Of the three followers of
Dubois at this time would he u BODY
bow to that leader and would seriously
imrair u not entirely destroy his
chances Of securing al election.
In all three Of the Bingham contests
the main question Is the validity of
the so-called Democratic