The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1901-03-14
ALL ABOUT A PIANO.
Complete Story Of the vindication Of 3. F..
Morris--his Appointment now Confirmed.

Morris--his Appointment now Confirmed.
A tale of treachery was uncovered this
week at Boise in the attack made upon
b. F. Morris. of this city, by his political
enemies with hopes Of preventing his
confirmation as trustee OF the insane
asylum at Blackfoot. The senate on
Thursday refused to confirm the appoint
ment of Mr.. Morris. the members voting
against him alleging that there were
charges on file against him with reference
to certain transactions at the Lewiston
normal. This brings up the story Of the
piano which is told by the Boise States
man as follows:
1.-THE janitor of the normal school was
dismissed from his position before he re-
lated the story referred to in the letter
the senate yesterday. The story was. in
effect, that Mr. Morris. as trustee Of the
normal school, had traded good piano
belonging to the school for q poor one.
taking the former for his own use. The
facts i'll connection with this matter, as
related by MIR. Smith, are that it had
been determined to replace the old piano
il possible. Another was brought to the
school for the purpose Of comparison and
some we'll known women musicians Of
Lewiston gave them thorough test. de-
Gliding in favor Of the new piano. The
old piano was then purchased by Mrs.
Morris, wife of Trustee Morris, who
payed an agreed price for it. Mr.. Smith
does not know the exact amount. but he
expted yesterday to receive the full par
ticulars. He said had he anticipated
fight on Morris, he would have had al
the data at hand.
After the ianitor had been dismissed
he told the story in an exaggerated form,
leaving the impression that Morris had
done something wrong in the premises.
This story was taken up and further mag
nified. and, it is said, upon Storer's re-
cent visit to the city he poured it into
the ears Of senators. placing his own con-
struction on Morris actions.
"The janitor had been dubbed Jonah
in Lewiston because Of . series Of fatili.
ties in accidents involving himself aud
others. He was an employee on steam
boat and was in several accidents in
which life was lost. Finally the crew re
fused to work with him aud he was dis
charged. He had family and he could
hardly support them with the proceeds
Of what little work he could get ashore.
Finally Mr.. Morris took him up and gave
him the janito,ship in the normal school.
Later on the trustees discharged him aud
the janitor at once typified the snake Of
fable lore.
"The Following telegram was received
from Lewiston after the senate had taken
action on the Morris appointment yester-
day:
LEWISTON, March s. - Ed. Smith,
Boise: Accusations against Morris reia-
tive to piano or any other matter Of dis
honor connected with the normal school
are false.
JAMES w. RRrD.
John p. voLLMRR,
''GRORcR f. Ear.
-. w. PoK.
"NRLLIE L. LERPRR
..Trustees.
Senator Clark Of Neg Perce received I
dispatch identicsl with the foregoing and
also the following:
LEWISTON, March s. Senator Louia
Clark. Boise: Principal Knepper Of Lew
ton state normal school appointed com
inittee to decide between two pianos fpr
normal slhool which citixens had paid
for. Committee selected the Reid piano
and sold Morris the one rejected G.
secondhand FISHERY. Morris Il Innocent
and had nothing whatever TO do with the
choice, but favored us BY taking what
was judged to be the poorer instrument.
Morris never spoke to one Of the commit.
tee. Accusations againat him false.
"MRs. G. w. CHAFr,
Chairman ExamininG Committee.
.sGxoRGx e. KMxpPER.
Principal Lewiston State Normal
School,"
A TELIER representative called On Nj.
Morris Tuesday and gut from him. PER.
sonally. the story which il the aaine =
told in detail II the above. Mr.. Morris
said the board had nothing whatever to
II %
do with the purchase Of the piano nor
with the exchange. The cisiseas raiaala
the fund for the purchase Of ths Gzbps
and coaamittee composed q Mn, & NJ.