The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-01-27
FIRST STATE LEGISLATURE
"reminiscences Of ldaho's Most Memoir.
ablo Session

| Inc nrSt session OF the state leglSIa-
ture, which held forth at Boise in the
winter of 1901, was the most MEM
orable of any session ever held in
Idaho. says f. w. Jones, in the Cald-
we'll News. The session, under the
| constitution, was not limited to sixty
days pay. The reason for this pro-
vision in the constitution was that
upon entering statehood an unusual
amount of legislation in emerging from
| territorial form of government was
necessary and the lawmakers should
have ample time in which TO do the
work and do it right.
| All who were in Idaho at that time
will remember that that august body,
OF which the writer of this was a men,
Der. carried off the palm from all Of
the states by electing four United
States senator's. Florida elected three
when she was admitted and Idaho had
the right to elect three by the first leg
islature. two vacant seats being Gre
ated in the senate by her admttance.
One was for four years and one for
two months. After the election of men
to fill these seats the Legislature had
the right to elect one for a term of six
years to take the place after the ex
piration of the term of the one elected
for two months. Gov. Geo. l.. Shoup
and w. J. Mcconnell. afterwards gov
ernor were elected and, on drawing
lots, Shoup got the four-year and Nc
Copnou tho twO-mopths form Hon
Fred T. Dubois was elected for the full
term OF six years. But some of the
members, knowing that Mr.. Dubois had
been elected week ahead of the time
named in the United States statutes,
afterwards passed resolution declar-
ing the election null and void and elect
ed VIM. H. Clagett, who went to Wash
ington and contested 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.
Elk Governor Frank Steunenberg was
a member Of the house and introduced
and engineered through the legislature
the bill creating the county of Canyon.
Many interesting incidents took place
at that session. One in particular. that
occurs to me as set this evening and
allow the mind to wander back was
case where a railroad agent bribed
member to vote against a pending bill
to compel railroads to fence their
tracks and put cattle guards at all
crossings. He received the enormous
sum of $40, and the understanding was
that he should vote mo" at all roll
calls next day, the willy railroad agent
fearing that the wise solon might make
a mistake and vote for the bill. An
other member Of the house and myself
heard Of the bribery and put many OF
the members next" when the house
met next morning. On the clerk call
ing the roll so as to note absentees.
which is always the first business, the
bribed member. when his name was
called, answered mo" in a clear voice.
Those who were ION" roared with
laughter, all Of the others. suspecting
something good. although not knowing
what, joined In. while the bribed MEM
Der stared around as II wondering what
the whole house was laughing at. He
kept his bargain with the railroad
agent and voted against every bill and
motion that day--even against the mo-
ton to adjourn, made at midnight.