The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1905-02-17

FIRST STATE LEGISLATURE
"Reminiscences of First Meeting o.
Idaho Solons.
The first session Of the state legis
lature, which held forth at Boise IL
the winter of 1901, was the most
memorable of any session ever held
in Idaho, says 4. w. Jones, IN the
Caldwell News. The session, under
the constitution, was not limited to
sixty days pay. The reason for this
provision in the constitution was
that upon entering statehood an un-
usual amount OF legislation in emerg-
ing from territorial form Of govern
ment was necessary and the lawmak-
ers should have ample time in which
to do the work and do it right.
All who were 10 Idaho at that time
will remember that that august body
Of which the writer OF This was u
member, carried of the palm from all
Of the states by clecting four United
States senators. Florida elected
three when she was admitted. and
Idaho had the right to elect three by
the first legislature, two vacant seats
being created ia the senate by her
admittance. One was for four years
and one for two months. After the
election Of men to till these seats the
legislature had the right to elect one
for a term of six years To take the
place after the expiration Of the term
OF the one elected for two months.
Gov. Geo. L. Shoup and w. j. Nc
Connell, afterwards governor, were
elected, and, IN drawing lots, Shoup
got the four-year and Mcconnell the
two. months, term. Hon. Fred r.
Dubois was elected for the full term
Of six years. But some of the mem
bers, knowing that Mr.. Dubois had
been elected week ahead oe the
time named in the United States
statutes, afterwards passed resolu--
tion declaring the election null and
void aud elected VIM. II. ClageLt,
who went to Washington and con-
tested the seat of Mr.. Dubois, but
failed in securing it.
There were eighteen members in
the senate, fourteen republicans and
four democrats, and thirty-six in the
house, thirty republicans and six
| democrats. Eek Governor Frank Steu-
nenberg was member of the house
and introduced and engineered
| through the legislature the bill Great
ing the county Of Canyon.
Many interesting incidents took
| place at that session. One In par
| ticular, that occurs to me as sit
this evening and allow the mind To
| wander back was case where rail-
road agent bribed member to vote
against a pending bill to compel rail-
roads To fence their tracks and put
cattle guards at all crossings. lie
received the enormous sum of $40,
and the understanding was that he
should vote "no" at all rulIcalls
next day, the willy railroad agent
fearing that the wise solon might
make mistake and vote for the bill.
Another member OF the house and
myself heard Of the bribery and pu,
many Of the members .next" wher
the house met next morning. Or
the clerk calling the roll SO as to note
absentees. which is always the first
business, the. bribed member, wber
his name was called, answered ''no'
in a clear voice. Those who wer.
son" reared with laughter, all Of tb,
Others, suspecting something good
although not knowing What, jolnee
in, while the bribed member staret
around as if wondering what th
whole house was laughing at. IL
kept his bargain with the railroad
agent and voted against every bill
and motion that day-even agains
the motion to adjourn, made at mid
night.