The Weiser signal. [volume] (Weiser, Idaho) 1890-1904, 1897-02-11
THE WEISER SIGNAL.
THURSDAY. FEBRUARY II. 1897
ELECTION COMMENT.

ELECTION COMMENT.
The papers continue to talk abou
the senatorial election in a way whicl
may be taken as an indication of tn,
un assuaged condition of public sen
timent Not only nearly every paper
IN Idaho has ragged over the matter,
but it has been general subject OF
comment in the national press. Col
nmns of extracts might be given but
we take only n few
The Idaho World, the spicy and
bright populst paper of Boise county,
says the result of the election is de
plorable and goes to give the follow
ing pointed and truthful commentary
on the situation:
Echoes of dissatisfaction over the cleo
ton OF Heitfcld to the IT, S Senate nr.
heard all over the Stale. Members of all
parties in all parts of Idaho are down
hearted and filled with aches pains and
deep regret. Even Mr. Hrilreld himself.
lis said, did not rejoice over his own cleo
tion. but is downcast and gloomy. We
don't believe that at an election of n Z. s.
Senator. at any lime, in any State of the
Union, has been followed by such dissnt-
isfaction and regret Members of nil mar
Ties in the Legislature are more or less re-
sponsible, but the Democrats deserve the
severest censure. They named a few
Populists they would support and EN-.
pbatically stated they wOHld vote for no
other. None OF the others named were
but little, If and better qualified for the
place than Mr. Heilfeld In this list thew
did not include the brilliant young Pom
ulist orator, scholar and statesman Frank
walton, nor that giant in intrlluct. whose
craftsmanship. scholarship, forensic force.
earnestnesS aud honor are known and
recognized throughout the length and
breadth of these United States The idols
OF the people of this Stale were Cmuett
and Dubois. They were the candidates
before the people, and even though an
able man had been chosen Other Than one
OF these two, murmur Of regret would
have gone up all over the State. An
agree that Mr.. Heitfeld is an honest man
When that is said, all is said. He is not
an orator, not spcaker-not even "A rood
talker He is not scholar, and not a
man who is well informed ON poiiticnl
questions now before the American nco.
pie. Now is the time we need our strnnp-
est men in the halls of Congress mon
who have the courage and ability tn stand
up IN debate against the intellectual ri.
ants to be there met with The State has
such men, and on two of them The hearts
and hopes of the people were conferred
Judge Claget was first choice as shown
by the result Of the election. but the men
elected TO carry out the wishes of the upo-
pie have hasely betrayed their conslilu-
enls. 1t Mr. Heltfeld could appreciate
The feelings of the people of this Stale.
we believe he would resign. Bv such a
patriotic and unSeltlSh act he would win
the everlasting gratitude of the people of
his State. To Mr. Heltfelds credit il can
be sad he is not responsible for the ca
lamlty that has befallen our young State.
lie was not aspiHnt for the place
through a combination of treachcrv. sin
pidlty and total disregard of the interests
and feelings of the people in the matter
Mt heltIeld won the prize Cf in his keep
ing IL can properly be termed price
without the least effort on his part. II
mas zen done, and cannot be umdone. OK
eept oy patriotic act ON his part thai
we believe would be unprecedented Sen
ator DUBOIS dcplorcs this mistake us
much us any one. 1t is current in Boise.
and we believe it is true. that Dubois
SHOWING he could not reach the prize. /
would have preferred ;he the election of /
Judge Clagett, and if he had been certain
that the result Of the final balot World |
hppn "a Z
ms support 10 Clagett. knowing that no /
himself would gain four votes on thnt
day. he could not be expected to throw /
his support to any other candidate with 4
out being certain that the next ballot
would end the contest Senator Dubois
was urged, we have heard, by II high
State official. to demonstrate his lovnitv |
70 silver by supporting Secretary of STATE
Lewis. TO prevent the election of a gold
bug. Dubois replied that he did not
need TO demonstrate his LOYALTY to silver
ana said that no gold bug could possibly
be elected with but one gold bug member
OF The Legislature. The State official said
There was danger Of the election of Cag-
etl. This aroused the Senator. aud he
paid Judge Clagcil high compliment
and said that the Judges loyalty to the
peoples cause aud his ability could moi
be questioned. and that whenever he saw
mat 1t was certainty that Pupulist
would be elected. his support would be-
brown to Judge Clagett-thal he was in.
ereStee IN seeing the State well and ably
represented The situation throughout
he State was exactly this: Those who .
Preferred Judge Clagett felt that if he
we're defeated the State would be well
epresented-that Senator Dubois would ,
e the victor Dubois followers felt Ger !
ain that If he were defeated Judge Clng- i
u would win the prize, AMI they knew ,
lat he would honor the State us Dubois
ms honored it. 1t WAS n contest between
80 men who are exactly alike on the
eat issue that Dow takes precedence of II
others with the pcori" III thi, state h