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Show SIDELIGHTS UPON PART MORMONS HAVE PLAYED IN 8DAHO POLITICS BY O. E. ARNEY. Special to The Tribune. 330JS12, Idaho. Oct. 19, ISlOi). During the enmpnigns of J'.lOl ana J'JOG, in Idaho, Ida-ho, tho .Democratic party of this slate was essentially an a iiti-;lormon party. Tin- real conlention in lliose two campaigns cam-paigns was made over the enactinpnt into statute, tho constitutional "Test Oath," which, in short, inhibits those who beliovo in, or contribute io I ho support of any organizations -which bnliovo in polygamy, patriarchal, celestial or plural "marriage, Jrom exercising- tho elective franchise. Probably the one dramatic feature which brought. I his issuo closer to the people of the state than any other, was tho appearance of John Henry frnith, of .Salt Tiake, a polygamous apostlo of tho Mormon cliurch, 1 11 Boise, during tho 100'. session oC tlm legislature, legisla-ture, asking for a new constitutional convention in .Idaho for the purpose, of repealing this constitutional provision, "So objectionable to our people." .During both of these, campaigns there was considerable sentiment in the party against the drift, of narty affairs, which took positive shape in the early stages of the 100S campaign, and al tho jtrst convention, held at Twin Falls to elect a delegation to l he national convention, conven-tion, a bolt from the regular organization organiza-tion oecurred and a contest ing ueloga-tion ueloga-tion was sent to the national convention conven-tion at Denver, which failed fo impress im-press thoir claims outhc, convention and the delegation from the former organization or-ganization was seated anil .Simon P. Donnelley was mado tho national commit com-mit toenmn from Tdaho. a The si niggle within the part 3 was continued and the contest again carried (0 the Wallace convention, where the paTfy met to name a state ticket and again llierc was a bolt, each faction naming a state ticket for (ho approval of the .Democracy of the state, Timothy Kcgan of Jjoiso being mado tho chairman chair-man of f he state Democracy true to the tenets of the party for the last; two campaigns, ami John '. jS'ugcnt being made chairman of the party demanding such a cliiinge in policy as -Would entirely en-tirely eliminate .'1113- reference to the constitutional "lost oath." There was much bitterness attending this result and the supremo court decided the case in favor of that faction of the Democracy Democ-racy of Idaho which stood out against any reference to legislation antagonistic antago-nistic to (lie Mormons. The decision of the supreme court, came but three weeks before the date for tho election, so tljo task of Chairman Chair-man Nugent was a difficult juno. . To ptnir oil on I he troubled -waters 111 sullicient spots and quantities to unite tho incongruous elements of the party was a task beyond tho possibilities possibili-ties of the new organization, and as a consequence, Governor Brady was the political beneficiary of a large number of votes which could not be lined up for candidate Alexander. But when the votes were counted it was observed that the Brady vote was humiliating, tailing far below tho average of his . party ticket, tho greatest; losses to him obtaining in the south-eastern counties of the state tho Mormon vote and in 1 Ada county, the location of the slate capital. After the adjournment of (he Wallace Wal-lace convention Chairman JJegan went about the organization of his state commit com-mit too with usual dispatch and vigor. I'Jic first step being the appointment of I . M. Davis as the secretary. Davis was well known over the sl-ae, his acquaintance having been extended through his servico as the first state insurance commissioner. Governor Hunt having brought him from Lewiston in 11)01 foi I his purpose. When Mayor Pence was chosen as he head of municipal affairs in Boise last spring, he appointed Davis without with-out an application for (lie place, or for any place as desk sergeant in the police po-lice department of Boise City. This appointment was made over the application appli-cation of Charles II. Arbuckle. a former for-mer rflntc game warden under the tileu-iienberg tileu-iienberg aduiinislratioii, and one who had been a former advocate of the Nugent Nu-gent contention wilhin the Democralic parly, while Davis had been loval tu I lie cause of the Ifogsni con ten lion The past history of the party made the select ion of Davis of more than ordinary interest, and his selection was viewed over the Slate as the "Olive-1 j Branch' act of the new mayor and the new chairman, both of whom were presumed pre-sumed to take all (he political advantage advant-age possible of (he election of Democralic Demo-cralic Mayor Pence in Jfepnblican Boise. During Ihe turbulent davs of (he struggle for .supremacy of each of the conteudiug factions of the Stalo Democracy Dem-ocracy over this disturbing Mormon .question. Pence and Nugent were leaders lead-ers of that clement which demanded a change of party policies, which had been poinlodlv guided against the Mor-iiions. Mor-iiions. all of whom bitterly opposed I lie re-enactment into statute of Ihc tonus of the "Tost Oath." Those who arc entirely familiar with Davis, appreciate his eminent qualifications qualifica-tions for Ihe position to which the mayor, may-or, with the concurrence of tho state chairman. 0Iuntaril3- appointed him. and as Ihe removal canio two weeks since, and no explanation has as yet been made WI13 Davis was relieved," it js fair to presume that his dismissal was purely ;i political move, henco the quandary as lo the particular brand of politics with which Mayor Pence and Chairman Nugent should" bo credited by those who aro looking to thorn for political polit-ical results. "If the Democracy of .tho stalo is wise," said a prominent. Bingham county coun-ty .Republican tho other (lny, "they will elect a governor of. this stale at the next election." f(l. did not vole af all for governor al. the last eleelion." said a "'nn'on county Democrat 3-esterdn3', "and if I never vote for one again. .1 will jiol exercise that privilege, if 1113' choice must be between candidates who lake I heir political instruction from Ihe head of the Mormon church in Salt Lake dify." ''The vote of Governor Brady al the last clecliop," said a Republican from Bannock 00110(3- a few days since, "was so embarrassing that he cannot hope to bo elected, should he, as appears now, be the choice of. his party at the primaries in Idaho next summer. " These expressions forocast a probable condition which may make the choice of the Democratic primaries which will be held under the new lav al, Ihe same lime as tho Republican primaries of great importance to Ihe stale, hence a discussion of the "Great ami Near Great" in the Democratic part3', referred to as candidal cs for governor, is appropriate' limed. W fr M. Alexander of Boise is said to be in the running again, lie made a "whirl-wind" campaign against T.rad3' last year and has some prestigo through his ability as a vote getter. Those who know him best assert that ho had minimized min-imized his chances of success through his local option pronouncements, in which lho3' regard him as insincere. John O, Rise, the allornoy and banker bank-er of ('a Id well, is often mentioned as the candidate of his party for governor, but he is vor" reticent about his declarations, dec-larations, rather choosing lo assume Ihe attitude of one who prefers the party to "kidnap" him as their candidate. .foseph Pence, the mayor of Boise, is usually referred to as the. "Rook of Ages, cleft" for the stale organization, organiza-tion, as represented b.v State Chairman Nugent, although some insinuations arc made to tho effect that (he State chairman is blandly pushing Ihc mayor into some egregious errors, for tho purpose pur-pose of- lifting his own standard as the final one to make the race for the big place. Doctor VT. C. "Whilwell of Salmon has many friends who would like to vote for him for governor, lie was the nominee of the Regan parfv ut the AVstllace convention last fall but closed his candidacy with the decision of tho Supreme court. The Doctor has re-peatodh' re-peatodh' represented his, Lemhi count v. 111 the senate of the state and is a past grand master of the grand lodge of Masons of the stale. J. L. McC'lcar of Cotir d'AIeuc City, has friends for the position, lie is a law3'er and ran . for congress hist election elec-tion against. Congressman 1 lamer. The final votes of t he- Democratic members of Ihe legislature 'last winter were cast for MeCJoar for United Slates Senator. Sena-tor. Edward P. Col I man of Idaho Pallb comes in for his share of friends, for governor. He is an influential business busi-ness man of this eitv and has been thrice elected mayor of that city. He was tho nominee of his party in 11)0, for state treasurer. Major W. W. Woods of Wallace, is referrod to as material of the higher order for the executive office. The Maior is judge of the first iudieial district of the stale and would hae the most lo3al support of (hose who know him "j best as a man and a judge. g But a new "Moses" is said lo be emerging from the "wilderness" and those who keep the organ of hearing closest lo the ground are speculating as lo tho effect which his candidacy would have on the situation should he stand for approval of his party at the primaries. This is Charley J.5. Steunoii-berg Steunoii-berg of Canyon count y, a brother of the martyred ex-goverhor, who served the state twice in this same capacity. Charle- Stcuncnberg or "Pete," as his friends are wont to call him is about 12 years old, a rifle the senior of his brother when he was first chosen as Idaho's chief executive. Like his elder brothers, Prank and A. K.. he was in the newspaper business in his earlv life. During the second term of his brother's adminisl ration ho -was connected connect-ed with I ho state land board and later during tho administration of Governor I runt, he served at, the head of Ihe state land department. By those who know him busl, "Pete" is' regarded as a good mixer, a quality often foijnd lacking in his distinguished brut her, which caused his close, friends sincere regret, lie is well known over tho stale. Since his severance" from the stale land department, ho has (raveled in the .south and on the coast and spent, considerable iime on his farm in the western end of Ada county, all for the benefit of his health, which has greatly improved. .Karly in the present year ho removed lo ftnimed. in Canyon county, where he entered Ihe real estate es-tate business. - - As usual, the Democracy Ims much material ma-terial for office. To bo' the candidate of ones party for this". Ihe highest statu office within the gift of her people, is an alluring ambition.' If the hiinjt-I hiinjt-I inns of ma 113 men of Ihe state, among whom those referred to early in this article, are. true, it may be' that Ihe noi)iinee of tho democracy next; summer will serve the people of 'tins good state as I heir governor, taking him oiilside Ihe class of (hose lo whom the story of the t Texas "Statesman" is applicable. appli-cable. The slory: An old country editor edi-tor was busy ai; his desk when a young man entered tho sanctum with flm aniiouiiceiiienl . "I. sir, am the Republican Repub-lican candidate in my district for congress. con-gress. " lo which the editor blandly replied: "Take a chair, sir," anil continued con-tinued recording his chum of thought, on Hie paper beforo hint. Cuabashed Ihe young man again remnrhed with greater emphasis. "I say, sir, I am the Republican nominee of mv party for congress," lo which ihe old man again made casual reply: " Vcs, yes. take I wo ehairri, sir.'' I input ieul, 'and with rcMiliii inn the young man repealed again: "But, sir, 'uu do not appear 10 understand that .1 tun the Republican Republi-can candidate from 1113" district for the 01 1 ice of member of congress." to which the editor responded with great mirth. " Ves. 3'es, I understand I ' 0 heard the boys laugh about it." |