Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1914-05-01

BOISE, April 2s.-Hostilities he
tween the two warning Democratic
factions in this state are expected 10
reach an acute stage May > when
the state central committee viii meet
IN Boise to accept the resignation Of
Ben R. Cray Of Haley and to elect
his successor.
The resignation Of Chairman Gray is
the direct. outcome Of the factionaI
fight that has ragged for two years.
Gray was elected chairman by the
Hawley- -Dubois-P Perky faction two
years ago by a majority Of one vote
over John F. Nugent, the candidate
OF the opposing faction. Cray was for
Champ Clark for president; he was al
so for James H. Hawley for a position
IN the Wilson cabinet; he was also
for him for United States senator.
During the campaign Of 1912. Cray
became candidate for United States
marshal With this in view ne made
q hard fight for Wilson and carried
the state for him b. the close margin
Of iii votes. Naturally he expected
his reward in the form Of the ONCE
he coveted As chairman Of the Vie
torious hosts he felt that he had
right to demand this job
In the beginning Gray had the back
ing Of Governor Hawley, Of K. Z Per-
Ky, who was then in the senate by ap-
pointmenr from Governor Hawley. and
Of Fred T. Dubois, the campaign man
ager Of Champ Clark, who was in
Washington 70 see to it that his wing
Of the army secured its proper share
Of the spoils Of the victory.
For some reason Gray was turned
down in the department OF justice in
Washington. II was explained to him
by his Idaho hackers that it was be-
cause ne could not get the Endorsement
OF Robert H. Elder. the national COM
mitteeman for Idaho. In any event,
his hackers deserted him and trans
ferred their allegiance TO other appli-
cants for the job. When after wrang-
ling for more than year the two fac
ions were finally convinced that
neither could land this job they got
together TO the extent Of indorsing
Thomas B &srfin and brought about
his appointment
viii Desert Politics.
Naturally Gray is sore He feels
that President Wilson Is ungratefuI in
turning him down He feels that Ma
-iOnaI Committeeman Elder and his
eoherts have no use in the party for
the men who fight the party's battles
and he feels that he was deserted too
soon by the men whom he expected
20 stand by him to the last ditch.
Therefore he viii wash his hands Of
he whole business, in which he is as
iociated with Fred T Dubois.
This is all preliminary The real
light will come when Gray's successor
: elected. John F. Nugent is dead
let on going to the United States sen
tie So is James H. Hawley. Con-
rol of the party machinery is of
-itaI Importance. Therefore each viii
light hard to land his man as chair
nan of the state committee. Nugent
loses rs the champion OF President
Wilson and all he stands for Haw-
~. while protesting to be for Wilson,
ow, was opposed 10 his nomination.
lie was for Harmon first and for
'hamp Clark second.
Nugent is dry and viii favor
tatewide prohibition HawIey is
wet" and will favor municipal unit
ption. Nugent indorsed without re-
erve The present conservation policy
T the administration. Hawley is op-
Osed 70 the national leasing system.
9 advocates state ownership Of the
1rests and state control of the power
ties.
For these and other reasons these
NO factions of the party, represented
y Nugent and Hawley, will prob
bly, fight every proposition that
3mes up. The chairman of the state
1mmittee is the fight. The state
.atform 10 be put forth in June viii
p the next. Then viii follow the pri-
aries.