The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1909-01-16
Hepburn Elected.

Wednesday, January 18th, Senator
w. B. Hepburn was elected United
States senator to succeed himself
The vote on joint session was: We'll
don B. Hepburn 81 and j. L. McClear,
Democrat, 10.
Announcement was then made by
Speaker GLADSTONE that as no final
vote had been taken Monday, and a
mere canvass could not be made,
new vote was in order, and that when
the joint roll was read the legislators
would signify their choice.
The first ballot was cast by Adams
of Lincoln for Hepburn. Three more
followed for the senior senator with
out irregularity, and then Benham of
Owyhee named McClear. Applause
greeted the first mention of Heyburn's
name, and was renewed at frequent
intervals throughout the balloting.
The result was declared to be: Hey
burn, 57 McClear, 10. Applause and
cheers from the gallery continued for
several moments after the announce
ment was made by Speaker GLADSTONE
that Hepburn had been reelected. At
1880 the joint session was adjourned,
its purpose being fulfilled.
The presentation of J. L. McClear as
the Democratic. choice for United
States senator came as complete
surprise. 1t was decided at the last
minute to put McClear's name for
ward. In selecting the Kootenai
county man the minority administered
rebuke to Judge StocksIaser, who
had, it is said, attempted to turn the
minority vote to Hepburn in the event
of deadlock.
The minority members of the sem
ate and house got together in an up
per room during the forenoon. The
word was conveyed to them that
Stockslager, the Democratic conven-
ton choice for United States senator,
would release them only on conditioL
that they vote for Hepburn.
Stockslager was denounced in no
uncertain terms and when McClear's
name was suggested it was at once
received with favor and Immediately
decision was reached that McClear
be given the solid vote of the minor
ity. Macbeth, one of those who did
not vote for Stockslager Tuesday,
claims to have first mentioned Nc
Clear in the caucus.
The following biographical sketch
of Senator Hepburn is taken from the
congressional directory, for which
each member of congress furnishes a
personal sketch:
Weldon Brinton Hepburn, Republic
can, of Wallace, was born in Delaware
county, Pa, May %, 1852; his par
ents were quakers of English de-
scent; received an academic educa-
| ton; was admitted to the bar in 1876,
and has practiced law continually
since that time. In the winter of 1883
he moved to Shoshone county, Idaho,
and has resided there ever since. He
was member of the convention
which framed the constitution of the
| state of Idaho and was chairman of
the judiciary committee of that body.
Mr.. Hepburn has always voted and
supported the Republican ticket was
delegate to the Republican nation
al conventions of 1883, 1892 and 1900;
was not affected by the silver craze
of 1896, and was largely instrumental
in maintaining the Republican organi-
cation in Idaho during that campaign
and since, which resulted in the
sweeping Republican victory of 1902;
was the nominee of the Republican
party of Idaho for congress in 1898,
but was defeated by a fusion of the
Democrats, Populists and Silver
Republicans; was elected to the Unit
ed States senate January Is, 1903, re-
ceiving the entire Republican vote of
the legislature, to succeed Henry
Heitfeld, Democrat, for the term
beginning March 4, 1908. His pres
ent term of office will expire March 8,
1909 (when he will enter upon his
new term of six years..