The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1913-03-24
IDAHO DEMOCRATS
ARE IN WRANGLE
Quarrel Over Federal Pat
ronage Threatens Dlsrup-
ton of Party.
Special to The Tribune.

Special to The Tribune
BOISE. March 23-Federal patronage
is a bone Of contention In this state that
bids fair TO wreck the good old ship OF
| Democracy before President Woodrow
Wilson places his stamp OF approval on
the successful applicants for plums. AL
ready there are two factions within the
party naneuvers for advantage to In
stall their leaders on the federal gov
ernmcnts payroll. and bitterness be-
tween them is intense.
1t Is conceded by probably all Demo
cratic leaders in Idaho that the So
called Nugent- Pence faction is well in
control of the situation and has the in
side political track at Washington. This
faction expects TO control all OF the fed
eral patronage In this state II is headed
by John T.. Nugent. former state chair
man and bitter political enemy of ex-
United States Senator Fred T, Dubois
and Ex-Governor James II. Hawley,
Pence is the former reform mayor of
Boise They have a strong following,
Working with them is National Commit
teenlan Robert II Elder.
The Dubols-Hawley faction at one
time thought TO be in control is now
admitted to be out OF the saddle, but
struggling desperately to- oust the Nu-
gent-Pence people Unless a Compro-
mise can be effected. war within the
party will be carried to the bitter end.
Dubois and Hawley have many OF the
leading Democrats within their ranks.
Including ex-United States Senator Is |.
Perky Senator Perky was appointed by
Governor Hawley during his term as
chief executive OF the state tn the re-
cess vacancy in the senate caused by tho
death OF Senator Weldon r. Hepburn.
That was the last political debt that
Governor Hawley paid just before his
term expired. The fact that he himself
failed 10 secure the cabinet portfolio OF
secretary OF the Interior has been seized
upon by his enemies within the party as
indicating that he does not have the In
fluence with President Wilson that had
been expected,
II Is given ont by the very best au-
thor!ty within the party that the. Nueent-
Pence often referred To as the Progress
sive faction, has already made n deal by
which tho United States marshalshlp
shall be awarded 30 State Senator Reed
Of Lemhi county because OF the faithful
ness Of that solon during the recent sem
he persistently cast his vote for NuSent
for United States senator. The same
deal includes Curtis +. Pike of this city
for postmaster Of Boise. and Nugent
himself for United States district attor-
ncy. Because lie has refused 10 throw
the slightest light on the prospective
appointments. Committeeman Elder. who
is now in Washington. is being severely
criticised here.
The Hawley- Dubois wing have the
confidential ear Of Champ Clark and
claims many OF the hig plums in Idaho.
They expect 10 Install the following
slate: Ben Il. Gray. state chairman DUR
Ing the last campaign. United States
marshal; p. NJ Davis OF Boise, a promi-
uent, party leader, postmaster at Boise:
| state Senator Ravenal Macbeth. United
States surveyor general: George r.. Hill,
former SECRETARY OF the state central
committee collector of internal revenue
I for the Idaho Montana-Ctah district;
Jules Rassctt a rartv whaehorse. United
States assnycr: Fred Flood, former pri-
| vate secretary 20 Governor Hawlev. re-
cciver Of the United States land office
I IN Boise.
! Many Of the Democratic leaders who
are not taking an active part in the fac
I t.CraI fight. are confident that the policy
y Ina uC"ratc1 bv the new head 81 the
uostofflce department. Albert SidncS
Burlcson. which seeks TO remove friction
and create harmony among all members
, Of the party. will be followed not only
I In the distribution of the many post
J office plums IN Idaho. but will be n guide
/ fnI the heads OF all Other dauartmepts
/ II this is the case. there IS stiN chaUCe
! OF Democracy In Idaho settling its con
! tEOGeFsy..