William J. McConnell
Encyclopedia
William John McConnell was the third Governor of Idaho
from 1893 until 1897. Prior to that he represented Idaho as one of its first United States Senators
after statehood.
Perhaps based on his earlier experience in California, McConnell spotted opportunity on the way to the gold fields around Idaho City, Idaho
. Rather than joining the throngs of prospectors, he and two other men claimed some good farmland near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho
. He and the others dug the first significant irrigation ditch along the Payette River
and began raising vegetables. The following year, McConnell led a pack train loaded with produce over the mountains to Placerville, Idaho
and sold them at "fabulous" prices.
At the time, Idaho Territory
was about a year old and law enforcement was scant to non-existent. When he and other settlers along the Payette began to lose horses and mules to thieves, the youthful McConnell took the lead in organizing a Vigilance committee
for the region. While it did not end crime in the area, the work of the committee did reduce it and, according to the Illustrated History, "The farmers had no further trouble with horse thieves." McConnell later published a history of the period, which included a lengthy account of the vigilantes' work. He offered no apologies and asked for no forgiveness … but simply described what he saw as the necessity for what was done.
Although, or perhaps because, McConnell was the recognized leader of the vigilantes, in 1865 he was appointed a Deputy U. S. Marshal
for Idaho Territory. At the end of his two-year term, he returned to California and Oregon.
. There, McConnell owned a general store and ran cattle. In 1882, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate, and was then selected as the Senate President.
and in 1884 he moved his family there. The general store he opened with a partner in Moscow was for many years considered the finest in the region. When leaders convened a constitutional convention, preparatory to Idaho statehood, McConnell represented Latah County
.
After Idaho
became at state on July 3, 1890, McConnell was one of its first U. S. Senators. He served only a short term, which was meant to get the state "in sync" with a normal election cycle. For a time, the new state actually had three Senator-elects: McConnell, Fred T. Dubois
, and "Judge" William H. Clagett
. The Senate had to vote on which of the two besides McConnell they would seat – they chose Dubois.
McConnell's term ended in March 1891, and he decided to run for Governor as the candidate for the Republican Party
. In a state-level reflection of political turmoil across the country, he won with only a plurality (40.6%) of the vote: candidates for the Democratic
and Populist parties split 58% of the rest. A Prohibition Party
candidate polled about 1.3%. When he ran for re-election, he won in a similar manner, polling 41.5% of the votes with the Democrats and Populists splitting most of the remaining votes.
After his first gubernatorial election, McConnell ended his involvement with the store in Moscow and moved to Boise
. There, in 1895, his daughter Mary (or sometimes Mamie) married William E. Borah, who would be elected as Idaho's U. S. Senator less than a decade later.
Under McConnell's administrations, the Idaho did away with a "test oath" whose effect was to disenfranchise the state's considerable body of Mormon voters. Also, the state was the fourth to grant women the right to vote, in 1896.
The state also initiated the infrastructure needed to administer irrigation projects eligible for Carey Act
consideration. Several years would pass before a complete and effective system could be put in place, but Idaho eventually became the single greatest success story under the Act.
During his tenure, the state suffered – along with the nation – through the severe depression called the Panic of 1893
, when several major railroads and over 500 banks failed.
The economic crisis naturally exacerbated the conflict between labor unions and companies, especially in the silver mines in the Coeur d'Alene region of North Idaho. The crisis in Idaho deepened with the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act
– the Federal government was no longer required to purchase a set monthly amount of silver. The resulting crash in prices squeezed the mining companies, leading to layoffs and moves to cut wages. The subsequent unrest, and flare-ups of violence, led McConnell to threaten the use of troops to keep the peace.
" supporter, but refused to abandon the Party over one divisive issue. As expected, a coalition of Democrats, Populists, and Silver-Republicans
swept the 1896 state elections; mainstream Republicans retained only one seat in the legislature.
Fortunately for McConnell, Republican William McKinley
handily beat William Jennings Bryan
, the Democratic/Populist candidate for President. As a reward for his party loyalty, he received an appointment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs
, a position he held until 1901. Later, he served as an Immigration Service Inspector from 1909 until his death in 1925.
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
from 1893 until 1897. Prior to that he represented Idaho as one of its first United States Senators
United States Senate
The United States Senate is the upper house of the bicameral legislature of the United States, and together with the United States House of Representatives comprises the United States Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Article One of the U.S. Constitution. Each...
after statehood.
Early years
After receiving a public school education in Michigan, McConnell headed west as freight wagon driver and ended up in California. There, he found work where he could get it: miner, store clerk, cowboy, and teacher. In 1862, he moved to Oregon, where he taught school, and then followed the gold rush into Idaho the following year.Perhaps based on his earlier experience in California, McConnell spotted opportunity on the way to the gold fields around Idaho City, Idaho
Idaho City, Idaho
Idaho City is a city in and the county seat of Boise County, Idaho, United States, located about northeast of Boise. The population was 458 at the 2000 census.Idaho City is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
. Rather than joining the throngs of prospectors, he and two other men claimed some good farmland near Horseshoe Bend, Idaho
Horseshoe Bend, Idaho
Horseshoe Bend is the largest city in rural Boise County, in the southwestern part of the U.S. state of Idaho. Its population of 770 at the 2000 census was the largest in the county. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area...
. He and the others dug the first significant irrigation ditch along the Payette River
Payette River
The Payette River is an river in southwestern Idaho and is a major tributary of the Snake River.Its headwaters originate in the Sawtooth and Salmon River Mountains at elevations over...
and began raising vegetables. The following year, McConnell led a pack train loaded with produce over the mountains to Placerville, Idaho
Placerville, Idaho
Placerville is a city in Boise County, Idaho, United States. The population was 60 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Boise City–Nampa, Idaho Metropolitan Statistical Area.-History:...
and sold them at "fabulous" prices.
At the time, Idaho Territory
Idaho Territory
The Territory of Idaho was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from March 4, 1863, until July 3, 1890, when the final extent of the territory was admitted to the Union as the State of Idaho.-1860s:...
was about a year old and law enforcement was scant to non-existent. When he and other settlers along the Payette began to lose horses and mules to thieves, the youthful McConnell took the lead in organizing a Vigilance committee
Vigilance committee
A vigilance committee was a group formed of private citizens to administer law and order where they considered governmental structures to be inadequate. The term is commonly associated with the frontier areas of the American West in the mid-19th century, where groups attacked cattle rustlers and...
for the region. While it did not end crime in the area, the work of the committee did reduce it and, according to the Illustrated History, "The farmers had no further trouble with horse thieves." McConnell later published a history of the period, which included a lengthy account of the vigilantes' work. He offered no apologies and asked for no forgiveness … but simply described what he saw as the necessity for what was done.
Although, or perhaps because, McConnell was the recognized leader of the vigilantes, in 1865 he was appointed a Deputy U. S. Marshal
United States Marshals Service
The United States Marshals Service is a United States federal law enforcement agency within the United States Department of Justice . The office of U.S. Marshal is the oldest federal law enforcement office in the United States; it was created by the Judiciary Act of 1789...
for Idaho Territory. At the end of his two-year term, he returned to California and Oregon.
Pacific Coast interlude
In about 1867, McConnell married Louisa Brown and their first child was born in California, where W. J. owned (or worked in) a general store and raised cattle. About 1871, the family moved to Oregon, where they eventually settled in Yamhill CountyYamhill County, Oregon
-National protected areas:*Siuslaw National Forest *Tualatin River National Wildlife Refuge -Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 84,992 people, 28,732 households, and 21,376 families residing in the county. The population density was 119 people per square mile . There were 30,270...
. There, McConnell owned a general store and ran cattle. In 1882, he was elected to the Oregon State Senate, and was then selected as the Senate President.
Return to Idaho
Around 1879, McConnell had begun investing in the growing town of Moscow, IdahoMoscow, Idaho
Moscow is a city in northern Idaho, situated along the Washington/Idaho border. It is the most populous city and county seat of Latah County and the home of the University of Idaho, the land grant institution and primary research university for the state...
and in 1884 he moved his family there. The general store he opened with a partner in Moscow was for many years considered the finest in the region. When leaders convened a constitutional convention, preparatory to Idaho statehood, McConnell represented Latah County
Latah County, Idaho
Latah County is a county located in the north central region of the U.S. state of Idaho. The population was 37,244 at the 2010 census. The county seat and largest city is Moscow, which is the home of the University of Idaho, the state's flagship and land-grant university...
.
Idaho
Idaho is a state in the Rocky Mountain area of the United States. The state's largest city and capital is Boise. Residents are called "Idahoans". Idaho was admitted to the Union on July 3, 1890, as the 43rd state....
became at state on July 3, 1890, McConnell was one of its first U. S. Senators. He served only a short term, which was meant to get the state "in sync" with a normal election cycle. For a time, the new state actually had three Senator-elects: McConnell, Fred T. Dubois
Fred Dubois
Fred Thomas Dubois was a controversial American politician who served two terms in the United States Senate from Idaho. He was best-known for his opposition to the gold standard and his efforts to disenfranchise Mormon voters....
, and "Judge" William H. Clagett
William H. Clagett
William Horace Clagett was a nineteenth century politician and lawyer from various places in the United States. He was the uncle of Samuel B. Pettengill....
. The Senate had to vote on which of the two besides McConnell they would seat – they chose Dubois.
McConnell's term ended in March 1891, and he decided to run for Governor as the candidate for the Republican Party
Republican Party (United States)
The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S...
. In a state-level reflection of political turmoil across the country, he won with only a plurality (40.6%) of the vote: candidates for the Democratic
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
and Populist parties split 58% of the rest. A Prohibition Party
Prohibition Party
The Prohibition Party is a political party in the United States best known for its historic opposition to the sale or consumption of alcoholic beverages. It is the oldest existing third party in the US. The party was an integral part of the temperance movement...
candidate polled about 1.3%. When he ran for re-election, he won in a similar manner, polling 41.5% of the votes with the Democrats and Populists splitting most of the remaining votes.
After his first gubernatorial election, McConnell ended his involvement with the store in Moscow and moved to Boise
Boise, Idaho
Boise is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Idaho, as well as the county seat of Ada County. Located on the Boise River, it anchors the Boise City-Nampa metropolitan area and is the largest city between Salt Lake City, Utah and Portland, Oregon.As of the 2010 Census Bureau,...
. There, in 1895, his daughter Mary (or sometimes Mamie) married William E. Borah, who would be elected as Idaho's U. S. Senator less than a decade later.
Gubernatorial activities
Taking office in 1893 as a minority candidate did not smooth McConnell task as Idaho's third governor. (The first governor, George L. Shoup, resigned after serving just a few months before being elected for a full term as a U.S. Senator.) Having been so recently granted statehood, Idaho had to work out many details of how the state would be governed. Thus, many problems landed on his deskUnder McConnell's administrations, the Idaho did away with a "test oath" whose effect was to disenfranchise the state's considerable body of Mormon voters. Also, the state was the fourth to grant women the right to vote, in 1896.
The state also initiated the infrastructure needed to administer irrigation projects eligible for Carey Act
Carey act
The Carey Act of 1894 allowed private companies in the U.S. to erect irrigation systems in the western semi-arid states, and profit from the sales of water. The Carey Act was enacted into law by Congress by the Act of August 18, 1894 , as amended...
consideration. Several years would pass before a complete and effective system could be put in place, but Idaho eventually became the single greatest success story under the Act.
During his tenure, the state suffered – along with the nation – through the severe depression called the Panic of 1893
Panic of 1893
The Panic of 1893 was a serious economic depression in the United States that began in 1893. Similar to the Panic of 1873, this panic was marked by the collapse of railroad overbuilding and shaky railroad financing which set off a series of bank failures...
, when several major railroads and over 500 banks failed.
The economic crisis naturally exacerbated the conflict between labor unions and companies, especially in the silver mines in the Coeur d'Alene region of North Idaho. The crisis in Idaho deepened with the repeal of the Sherman Silver Purchase Act
Sherman Silver Purchase Act
The Sherman Silver Purchase Act was enacted on July 14, 1890 as a United States federal law. It was named after its author, Senator John Sherman, an Ohio Republican, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee...
– the Federal government was no longer required to purchase a set monthly amount of silver. The resulting crash in prices squeezed the mining companies, leading to layoffs and moves to cut wages. The subsequent unrest, and flare-ups of violence, led McConnell to threaten the use of troops to keep the peace.
Afterwards
McConnell did not run for a third term, perhaps realizing that his mainstream Republican Party was going to lose badly. McConnell was himself a "Free SilverFree Silver
Free Silver was an important United States political policy issue in the late 19th century and early 20th century. Its advocates were in favor of an inflationary monetary policy using the "free coinage of silver" as opposed to the less inflationary Gold Standard; its supporters were called...
" supporter, but refused to abandon the Party over one divisive issue. As expected, a coalition of Democrats, Populists, and Silver-Republicans
Silver Republican Party
The Silver Republican Party was a United States political faction active in the 1890s. It was so named because it split from the Republican Party over the issues of "Free Silver" and bimetallism. The main Republican Party supported the gold standard....
swept the 1896 state elections; mainstream Republicans retained only one seat in the legislature.
Fortunately for McConnell, Republican William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
handily beat William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan
William Jennings Bryan was an American politician in the late-19th and early-20th centuries. He was a dominant force in the liberal wing of the Democratic Party, standing three times as its candidate for President of the United States...
, the Democratic/Populist candidate for President. As a reward for his party loyalty, he received an appointment in the Bureau of Indian Affairs
Bureau of Indian Affairs
The Bureau of Indian Affairs is an agency of the federal government of the United States within the US Department of the Interior. It is responsible for the administration and management of of land held in trust by the United States for Native Americans in the United States, Native American...
, a position he held until 1901. Later, he served as an Immigration Service Inspector from 1909 until his death in 1925.