The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-09-12
HOW FRENCH
DOWNED HAMER.
Hamer Was a Firm Friend of
Speaker Cannon, and SO
Declared.
FRENCH is ON TRIAL.
AND WILL BE WATCHED
Some Reference to Past Con.
grcssiOnal Contests in Idaho
State Conventions.
BY G. E. ARNEY.
Special 10 Tic Tribune.

Special 10 TIC Tribune.
BOISE Ida, Sept. 1.-The defeat OF
Congressman Hamer by exCongressman
French at the direct primary vote on
August 20. was the dramatic incident
OF the campaign.
Analyze 1t az YOU may, and 'tnsur-
ecncy' is the explanation OF the result.
1t has been the judgment OF many that
the defeat of iamer is Indicative OF
rebuko Of the people OF the manner in
which he procured his pominatlon two
years ago. This may have had us ef-
feet. but the people who remember two
years back are Just as likely 10 remem-
ber six years back, which takes us 10
the Moscow convention: -, ,oo,
French was candidate IN succeed HIM
self in congress. He was supported In
his own county by a delegation OF bis
friends. This delegation from Latah
county had been instructed by the CON
vention to vote all the time for the re-
nomination OF the then Governor Morri-
son. Goodng, then chairman. and Brady,
his friend. were in an alliance With the
Morncns 10 defeat Morrison. and 1oni
nate Goodins. When the slate was made,
and noses counted. II became appa rent
that the Latch delegation was needed 10
accomplish the design. They appointed
committee 10 uait on Mr.. French and
get his home delegation IN line. This
committee met the congressman and gave
him fifteen minutes to toe The mark aud
bring his Lstah county delegation 10
Goodiug and violate tho Injunction OF the
convention which gave them an exist
ence.
This Is the brief story of French's sec
ond nomination to congress,
Two years ago French aspired 10 sue
ceed himself as the candidate of his party
In congress He was opposed by Hamor
The Republicans Of the state expected
French 10 be renominated, They had
sent enough Republicans 10 the conven-
ton instructed for French. 10 nominate
him.
During the dark hours of the night,
prior TO the convention, a combination
was formed. which defeated the viii OF
the majority Of the Republicans OF Idaho.
This is brief story of Hamer's nom-
nation for congress.
Honors Are Easy.
The ''honors'' appear 10 be about even
Both nominations were conceived in in
Equity that shed dishonor on the Repub-
licsn party Of Idaho. Only that In each
election the party had with IT an immov
able. instructed vote. could il surmount
such shady transactions.
If either instance weighed in the bal
ance for or against the contestants in |
tho August 20 direct primary election. !
f1amer probably suffered the greater be- !
cause the party perfldy OF which he be-
tresher in the minds of the people than
that which made French his own sue I
cessor six years ago.
These two crooked deals had great
convention to the direct primary system
Of nominating candidates for office They |
had much 10 do in bringing about the
chanee, which was a timely innovations
damer made a popular congressman |
He accomplished more for Idaho during
The two years of his first term than did |
French during bis six years as congress
man French was clean representa-
live. and If he took stand for or against
anything important tof which he was
seldom guilty.. he could be depended on
to do as he said. No ono ever dreamed
of his being an insursent. He had been
utterly free from any charge of "insnrgl
ns while In congress. He was for Can
non always and ever.
When llamer went TO congress. how
'ver, he took along with him some ties
1f early childhood which he reycrcd ns
1e did his own honor.
HIS Illinois home had been near tho
OF Uncle Joe Cannon, His
ather and the famous speaker had been
asst friends, and the new Idaho con-
FRESHMAN nour!shed a reverence for the
speaker mat was unusually fervent
when he was nominated Joe Cannon
Tircd him congratulations. When he was
elected he wrote him a splendid auto
sraphic letter expressis his delight that
'S ,e wa Was TO M Sit In congress with the son
tentative from the Gem" state When
lie reached congress. alone. n stranger
in,tutored IN the school of congressional
thics, Speaker Cannon made him nronn
nent on important committees showcd
INN marked attention which gave him a
ouch with his colleagues. and aided him
o o. s, OBTAIN legislation without which as
stance he would have failed Some of
ms legislation was gained in this man
ler less than seven weeks prior to The
ay OF the direct primary in Idaho.
Sacrificed on Cannon Altar.
In appreciation OF his friend who had
ememhercd him, Hnmer returned fo .
daho. made his campaign speeches re-
ponded to Interviews and held private
onierenccs with his constituents i'm ali
arts OF Idaho. Never once aid be rn
ounce his allegiance to Speaker Can p
on In no public or private uttcrance
Id he disclaim his purposr 10 vote for :
ncie Joe Cannon for speaker If re-
lected TO congress.
inc dcfeat of Mr.. Hamcr by Mr.. French
!. think, chiefly owing 10 this atti
lde oil these Two men on the one ma
,onai dramatic figure, Joe Cannon
iaher IA refused 10 repudiate him French
Id repudiate him N'~"
INSURGENCY is abroad in This Idaho land, T