William M. Bunn
Encyclopedia
William Malcolm Bunn was an American
newspaperman and Governor of Idaho Territory
from 1884 to 1885. He began his political career holding a series of local and state offices while serving as a member of a local political machine
. After purchasing a Philadelphia
newspaper, he traded positive coverage for political favors. At the same time Bunn cultivated an active social life and became known for his after dinner speeches. During his tenure as governor, Bunn was caught between competing factions within his party fighting over polygamy
and concerns with the territory's Mormon
population.
on January 1, 1842. He was raised in the city's 16th ward and educated in public schools. At the age of eleven, he went to work in a factory. Bunn worked there for three years before being sent to Havana, New York
to attend a school run by his uncle. At 16, he had completed his formal education and was apprenticed
as a wood carver
.
At the start of the American Civil War
, Bunn enlisted in the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. On June 29, 1862, during the Battle of Savage's Station
, he was wounded and captured by Confederate forces
. Bunn was held as a prisoner of war
in Richmond, Virginia
until his release during a prisoner exchange
later that year. Upon his return to Philadelphia, Bunn experienced a relapse of problems from his wound and received a medical discharge.
Following his military service, Bunn joined with his brother in a successful wood carving business. In 1870 he married Cathanne Myers. The couple had one son.
Convention. The next year he ran for a seat on the city council
, but withdrew his candidacy before the election to resolve a dispute within his party. In 1868 he was elected to the first of two consecutive terms in the Pennsylvania General Assembly
. After his time in the state assembly, Bunn was elected Register of Wills. This was followed by his election as Guardian of the Poor
in 1875 and 1878. While holding these various offices, Bunn also served as a party delegate
at the local, state, and national level.
In 1878, Bunn purchased the Philadelphia Sunday Transcript. As owner of the newspaper, he became a supporter of the Cameron
political machine
and traded positive coverage for political favors.
In addition to his political and business activities, Bunn developed an active social life. He became well known as a dinner speaker and his flamboyant dress earned him a reputation as one of Philadelphia's best dressed men. As a measure of his social success, Bunn became Vice-President of the Clover Club.
and Idaho
territories. Wishing for a political position close to his business interests, Bunn used his political connections to lobby for appointment as Governor of Arizona Territory following the resignation of John C. Frémont
. Unsuccessful in this effort, Bunn continued looking for another appointment close to his business interests.
Bunn's appointment came as a consequence of the 1884 presidential election
. President Chester Arthur
agreed to appoint the newspaperman in exchange for support from the Cameron political machine. The machine in turn agreed to support Arthur's reelection as long as he maintained a lead over James G. Blaine
. Bunn was commissioned as Governor of Idaho Territory on March 26, 1884.
The new governor arrived in Idaho Territory on June 26, 1884. Bunn quickly gained a reputation for "setting a pace that no governor before had had the experience or wealth to maintain" with his social and sartorial style resulted in him being called the "dude
governor". Highlights of his tenure as governor include authorization of US$80,000 worth of bonds
for building a permanent capital in Boise
, support for laws limiting logging
in the territory's forests, a push to establish the position of territorial attorney general
, and a call to build an insane asylum at Blackfoot
and eliminate the need to send the mentally ill to facilities in Oregon.
However, the biggest political issue upon Bunn's arrival was the anti-Mormon movement. The new governor, more interested in his business interests, took a moderate perspective of opposing polygamy but being otherwise tolerant of the Mormon population. This placed him at odds with both the radical Republicans who advocated total disenfranchisement of the Mormons and the moderate Democrats with their Mormon allies. Specific actions taken by Bunn on this issue include supporting legislation that created Bingham County
, diluting Mormon influence in Oneida County
as a consequence, and signing a bill requiring territorial officials to take an anti-Mormon loyalty oath
.
Actions by Bunn, combined with anti-Mormon rhetoric, were not enough to satisfy the radical elements of his own party. A dispute arose between him and the leader of the radical Republican faction, US Marshal Fred Dubois
, when the governor refused to appoint a candidate supported by Dubois to a newly created position in Bingham County. This led to a confrontation between the governor and the marshal, leading Bunn to walk away from a face-to-face meeting Dubois. Bunn claimed that Dubois was about to pull a gun on the unarmed governor, and Dubois in turn labeled Bunn a coward. Despite this incident, the governor preferred to allow "Boise Ring" leader David P. B. Pride to contend with Dubois for control of the Republican party within the territory.
Tensions between the moderate and radical factions continued to build until February 14, 1885. In the early morning hours, after that day's newspaper had already been printed with a series of stories and editorials critical of Bunn, the offices of the Boise City Republican suffered a break-in that scattered the paper's type
. At about the same time, the offices of the Idaho Democrat were set on fire. Neither incident caused serious damage, but did result in a popular uproar. Dubois supporters used the incident as an excuse to have local newspapers reprint year-old Philadelphia editorials critical of Bunn. The entire incident would later become known as the "Bunn War."
At the time of the break-ins, Bunn was on an extended leave of absence
. He returned to Idaho after five months and submitted his resignation: dated July 3, 1885, it was effective six days later.
Bunn died in Philadelphia on September 19, 1923.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
newspaperman and Governor of 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:...
from 1884 to 1885. He began his political career holding a series of local and state offices while serving as a member of a local political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
. After purchasing a Philadelphia
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
newspaper, he traded positive coverage for political favors. At the same time Bunn cultivated an active social life and became known for his after dinner speeches. During his tenure as governor, Bunn was caught between competing factions within his party fighting over polygamy
Polygamy
Polygamy is a marriage which includes more than two partners...
and concerns with the territory's Mormon
Mormon
The term Mormon most commonly denotes an adherent, practitioner, follower, or constituent of Mormonism, which is the largest branch of the Latter Day Saint movement in restorationist Christianity...
population.
Background
Bunn was born in Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaPhiladelphia, Pennsylvania
Philadelphia is the largest city in the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the county seat of Philadelphia County, with which it is coterminous. The city is located in the Northeastern United States along the Delaware and Schuylkill rivers. It is the fifth-most-populous city in the United States,...
on January 1, 1842. He was raised in the city's 16th ward and educated in public schools. At the age of eleven, he went to work in a factory. Bunn worked there for three years before being sent to Havana, New York
Montour Falls, New York
Montour Falls is a village in Schuyler County, New York, United States. The population was 1,797 at the 2000 census. A waterfall in the village gives the village its name...
to attend a school run by his uncle. At 16, he had completed his formal education and was apprenticed
Apprenticeship
Apprenticeship is a system of training a new generation of practitioners of a skill. Apprentices or protégés build their careers from apprenticeships...
as a wood carver
Wood carving
Wood carving is a form of working wood by means of a cutting tool in one hand or a chisel by two hands or with one hand on a chisel and one hand on a mallet, resulting in a wooden figure or figurine, or in the sculptural ornamentation of a wooden object...
.
At the start of the American Civil War
American Civil War
The American Civil War was a civil war fought in the United States of America. In response to the election of Abraham Lincoln as President of the United States, 11 southern slave states declared their secession from the United States and formed the Confederate States of America ; the other 25...
, Bunn enlisted in the 72nd Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry. On June 29, 1862, during the Battle of Savage's Station
Battle of Savage's Station
The Battle of Savage's Station took place on June 29, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as fourth of the Seven Days Battles of the American Civil War. The main body of the Union Army of the Potomac began a general withdrawal toward the James River. Confederate Brig. Gen. John B. Magruder pursued...
, he was wounded and captured by Confederate forces
Confederate States Army
The Confederate States Army was the army of the Confederate States of America while the Confederacy existed during the American Civil War. On February 8, 1861, delegates from the seven Deep South states which had already declared their secession from the United States of America adopted the...
. Bunn was held as a prisoner of war
Prisoner of war
A prisoner of war or enemy prisoner of war is a person, whether civilian or combatant, who is held in custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict...
in Richmond, Virginia
Richmond, Virginia
Richmond is the capital of the Commonwealth of Virginia, in the United States. It is an independent city and not part of any county. Richmond is the center of the Richmond Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Greater Richmond area...
until his release during a prisoner exchange
Prisoner exchange
A prisoner exchange or prisoner swap is a deal between opposing sides in a conflict to release prisoners. These may be prisoners of war, spies, hostages, etc...
later that year. Upon his return to Philadelphia, Bunn experienced a relapse of problems from his wound and received a medical discharge.
Following his military service, Bunn joined with his brother in a successful wood carving business. In 1870 he married Cathanne Myers. The couple had one son.
Early political career
Bunn became politically active in 1866 when he served as a delegate to Philadelphia's city-wide RepublicanRepublican 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...
Convention. The next year he ran for a seat on the city council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, but withdrew his candidacy before the election to resolve a dispute within his party. In 1868 he was elected to the first of two consecutive terms in the Pennsylvania General Assembly
Pennsylvania General Assembly
The Pennsylvania General Assembly is the state legislature of the U.S. state of Pennsylvania. The legislature convenes in the State Capitol building in Harrisburg. In colonial times , the legislature was known as the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly. Since the Constitution of 1776, written by...
. After his time in the state assembly, Bunn was elected Register of Wills. This was followed by his election as Guardian of the Poor
Poormaster
Poormaster is the name of a now obsolete job position similar to that of Paymaster. Most of the states in the early United States had their own poormaster....
in 1875 and 1878. While holding these various offices, Bunn also served as a party delegate
Delegate
A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization at a meeting or conference between organizations of the same level A delegate is a person who speaks or acts on behalf of an organization (e.g., a government, a charity, an NGO, or a trade union) at a meeting or conference...
at the local, state, and national level.
In 1878, Bunn purchased the Philadelphia Sunday Transcript. As owner of the newspaper, he became a supporter of the Cameron
Simon Cameron
Simon Cameron was an American politician who served as United States Secretary of War for Abraham Lincoln at the start of the American Civil War. After making his fortune in railways and banking, he turned to a life of politics. He became a U.S. senator in 1845 for the state of Pennsylvania,...
political machine
Political machine
A political machine is a political organization in which an authoritative boss or small group commands the support of a corps of supporters and businesses , who receive rewards for their efforts...
and traded positive coverage for political favors.
In addition to his political and business activities, Bunn developed an active social life. He became well known as a dinner speaker and his flamboyant dress earned him a reputation as one of Philadelphia's best dressed men. As a measure of his social success, Bunn became Vice-President of the Clover Club.
Governorship
By the 1880s, Bunn had developed mining interests in both ArizonaArizona Territory
The Territory of Arizona was an organized incorporated territory of the United States that existed from February 24, 1863 until February 14, 1912, when it was admitted to the Union as the 48th state....
and Idaho
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:...
territories. Wishing for a political position close to his business interests, Bunn used his political connections to lobby for appointment as Governor of Arizona Territory following the resignation of John C. Frémont
John C. Frémont
John Charles Frémont , was an American military officer, explorer, and the first candidate of the anti-slavery Republican Party for the office of President of the United States. During the 1840s, that era's penny press accorded Frémont the sobriquet The Pathfinder...
. Unsuccessful in this effort, Bunn continued looking for another appointment close to his business interests.
Bunn's appointment came as a consequence of the 1884 presidential election
United States presidential election, 1884
The United States presidential election of 1884 saw the first election of a Democrat as President of the United States since the election of 1856. New York Governor Grover Cleveland narrowly defeated Republican former United States Senator James G. Blaine of Maine to break the longest losing streak...
. President Chester Arthur
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur was the 21st President of the United States . Becoming President after the assassination of President James A. Garfield, Arthur struggled to overcome suspicions of his beginnings as a politician from the New York City Republican machine, succeeding at that task by embracing...
agreed to appoint the newspaperman in exchange for support from the Cameron political machine. The machine in turn agreed to support Arthur's reelection as long as he maintained a lead over James G. Blaine
James G. Blaine
James Gillespie Blaine was a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, two-time Secretary of State...
. Bunn was commissioned as Governor of Idaho Territory on March 26, 1884.
The new governor arrived in Idaho Territory on June 26, 1884. Bunn quickly gained a reputation for "setting a pace that no governor before had had the experience or wealth to maintain" with his social and sartorial style resulted in him being called the "dude
Dude
A dude is an individual, typically male. The female equivalent, which is used less often, is "dudette" or "dudess". However, "dude" has evolved to become more unisex to encompass all genders, and this was true even in the 1950s....
governor". Highlights of his tenure as governor include authorization of US$80,000 worth of bonds
Bond (finance)
In finance, a bond is a debt security, in which the authorized issuer owes the holders a debt and, depending on the terms of the bond, is obliged to pay interest to use and/or to repay the principal at a later date, termed maturity...
for building a permanent capital in 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,...
, support for laws limiting logging
Logging
Logging is the cutting, skidding, on-site processing, and loading of trees or logs onto trucks.In forestry, the term logging is sometimes used in a narrow sense concerning the logistics of moving wood from the stump to somewhere outside the forest, usually a sawmill or a lumber yard...
in the territory's forests, a push to establish the position of territorial attorney general
Attorney General
In most common law jurisdictions, the attorney general, or attorney-general, is the main legal advisor to the government, and in some jurisdictions he or she may also have executive responsibility for law enforcement or responsibility for public prosecutions.The term is used to refer to any person...
, and a call to build an insane asylum at Blackfoot
Blackfoot, Idaho
Blackfoot is a city in Bingham County, Idaho, United States. The population was 10,419 at the 2000 census. The city is the county seat of Bingham County. Blackfoot is self-designated the "Potato Capital of the World", because it claims to have the largest potato industry in the world...
and eliminate the need to send the mentally ill to facilities in Oregon.
However, the biggest political issue upon Bunn's arrival was the anti-Mormon movement. The new governor, more interested in his business interests, took a moderate perspective of opposing polygamy but being otherwise tolerant of the Mormon population. This placed him at odds with both the radical Republicans who advocated total disenfranchisement of the Mormons and the moderate Democrats with their Mormon allies. Specific actions taken by Bunn on this issue include supporting legislation that created Bingham County
Bingham County, Idaho
Bingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 41,735 . The county seat and largest city is Blackfoot. Bingham County comprises the Blackfoot, ID, Micropolitan Statistical Area.Bingham County was created January 13, 1885, and...
, diluting Mormon influence in Oneida County
Oneida County, Idaho
Oneida County is a county located in the U.S. state of Idaho. As of the 2000 Census the county had a population of 4,125 . The county seat and largest city is Malad City. The Oneida County Courthouse is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.Most of the county's population lives in...
as a consequence, and signing a bill requiring territorial officials to take an anti-Mormon loyalty oath
Loyalty oath
A loyalty oath is an oath of loyalty to an organization, institution, or state of which an individual is a member.In this context, a loyalty oath is distinct from pledge or oath of allegiance...
.
Actions by Bunn, combined with anti-Mormon rhetoric, were not enough to satisfy the radical elements of his own party. A dispute arose between him and the leader of the radical Republican faction, US Marshal Fred 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....
, when the governor refused to appoint a candidate supported by Dubois to a newly created position in Bingham County. This led to a confrontation between the governor and the marshal, leading Bunn to walk away from a face-to-face meeting Dubois. Bunn claimed that Dubois was about to pull a gun on the unarmed governor, and Dubois in turn labeled Bunn a coward. Despite this incident, the governor preferred to allow "Boise Ring" leader David P. B. Pride to contend with Dubois for control of the Republican party within the territory.
Tensions between the moderate and radical factions continued to build until February 14, 1885. In the early morning hours, after that day's newspaper had already been printed with a series of stories and editorials critical of Bunn, the offices of the Boise City Republican suffered a break-in that scattered the paper's type
Movable type
Movable type is the system of printing and typography that uses movable components to reproduce the elements of a document ....
. At about the same time, the offices of the Idaho Democrat were set on fire. Neither incident caused serious damage, but did result in a popular uproar. Dubois supporters used the incident as an excuse to have local newspapers reprint year-old Philadelphia editorials critical of Bunn. The entire incident would later become known as the "Bunn War."
At the time of the break-ins, Bunn was on an extended leave of absence
Leave of absence
Leave of absence is a term used to describe a period of time that one is to be away from his/her primary job, while maintaining the status of employee...
. He returned to Idaho after five months and submitted his resignation: dated July 3, 1885, it was effective six days later.
Later life
After his resignation, Bunn returned to his home town. In 1908 he published Some After Dinner Speeches containing a collection of his oratories.Bunn died in Philadelphia on September 19, 1923.