The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1908-09-05

"HiNh OCAalol IlSy DulH Ids always
opposed with as much opposition as
he has opposed the election of United
States senators by direct vote of the
people. The defeat of this plank by
the convention was largely owing to
the remarks made the previous day by
the senator. The result of the vote
was 100 for the plank and 1863 against.
The remainder of the report was adj
opted and the convention adjourned
to meet at 3 p. m.
Afternoon Session.
Never in the history of the state
was there a political convention where
there was so much subdued excite
ment manifested as there was at the
time Col. Hamer called the convention
to order at the afternoon session. A
casual observer could easily see that
something was going to happen, yet
the fellows who had during the noon
hour put the finish on the job, which
was to defeat Burton L. French for
congress, and nominate the man who
two years ago had been defeated by
him, gave no intimation of the pro-
ceedings to be had When the chair
man raped the convention to order,
a motion was made that Congressman
French be invited to make a speech
before the convention. The motion
carried with whoop, for the Hamer
crowd felt sure of victory and were
disposed to be liberal, now that they
had delegates enough signed up to
nominate their man. Had Congress-
man French had the eloquence of a
Henry Clay it is doubtful if he could
have changed the result. Mr.. French
delivered a much better speech on the
eve of his defeat than he did two years
ago at Pocatello, when he was victo-
rious. The chair then announced that
the next business in order was the
nomination of one member of the su-
preme court This announcement
brought Col. Allen Miller to his feet,
loaded with a speech which, If his
candidate had had an opponent, would
have assured his defeat. But after
the convention was thoroughly wor-
ried by the Colonel's oratorical effort,
he announced that his candidate was
Judge Ailshie. A motion was made
that the nomination be made unani-
nous.
AS yet there had been no vote taken,
which would indicate the strength of
either candidate for congress. Conse-
quently the Hamer forces felt that
they must get up a sufficient quantity
of enthusiasm to keep their delegates
in line for their candidate. When the
announcement was made that the next
in order would be the nomination of
candidate for congress, John o.
Webster of Fremont got the floor and
in a brief speech placed Col. T. r.
Hamer in nomination. Following this
announcement, the Columbian band
filed into the convention hall, followed
by men and boys carrying banners
reading, "Col. Tom Hamer, the man
we want" Col Hamer for congfess. "
Finally, when quiet was restored
| George Fields of Latah got the floor,
and made an impassioned appeal when
placing Burton L. French in nominal
ton. The friends of the gentleman
| from Latah got their lungs to work
ing, but it was only too plain that the
day was lost, and long before Wash
ington county was called the result
was known. Yet before the result
was announced, Mr.. Fields moved that
Col. Tom be elected by reclamation
| WHICH was uOHe, ana anOlner lnclQen'
was closed in which the political am.
billions of a bright young man were
for the time being blasted. 1t was
the general opinion that the indirect
cause of Congressman French's defeat
was caused by some of his over-zeal,
Gus friends.
After the strength of the slate was
demonstrated, the remainder of the
program was easy; in fact. it was as
one fellow stated. Like shooting
fish," When the convention ad,
journed it was found that the follow
ing ticket had been nominated;