Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-05-29
THE ELECTION.


It is but little more than two months
before our people will be called upon
to vote for men to fill some very i'm
portant positions. IL our memory is
correct, tho following officers are to be
elected Oh the first Monday in August,
which comes on the 3D.:
Delegate to Congress;
One member of the Council, and joint
Councilman with jefferson county;
Two members Of the House;
One County Commissioner;
One Assessor;
School Superintendent, and
Assessor.
The question Of the removal Of the
Territorial Capital to Helena will also
he voted upon.
Little interest seems to be manifest
ed as yet in regard to the election, or
the men to be nominated, and especi-
ally is this the case with reference to
county officers. We hear frequent COM
plants about inefficient officers, but
our people manifest little disposition
to adopt a remedy which is in their
ewn hands. We would rather see
more concern exhibited in the matter
Of selecting and placing before US
honest and capable men to be voted
for than to hear constantly this twad-
die about inefficient officers. 1t is the
duty of every good citizen, irrespective
of party considerations, to see that
good and trustworthy men are elected
to county Offices. Our local prosperi-
~ depends in a measure upon faith
full observance of this rule, which
should govern all men who have their
own interests and those of their neigh
bors in view
Good men are often led to abandon
these praiseworthy considerations by
party prejudice and political passion,
but VIC should think that past expert
cncc in the mismanagement OF our
county affairs by incompetent officials
should awaken our people to sense
Of their duty, and convince them that
our prosperity is paramount to petty
political issues. During the past few
years the character of our county Of
ficers has been materially improved,
and our prosperity has been proper
tionately augmented. Knowing the
results Of the two systems our people
would be blind to their own advantage
not to adopt the one insuring general
prosperity rather than follow the tenn
porary dictates Of party prejudice by
foisting into Office and power men who
have no recommendation other than
that of being "thc nominee"
If a man binds himself to party de-
crccs, and submits to party dictation
as regards nominees, it is his bounden
duty as good citizen to participate
in the primary meetings and County
Convention and see that mono but
good men are placed in nomination.
He should consider himself response
bic to his fellow citizens for the short
comings of any officer elected by his
party. Availability is too often given
precedence over capability. By this
one great defect in party nominations
are the people saddled with incompe-
tent officers.
We are now burtlcned with debt
Of nearly $4,000 and have not single
public improvement, save and except
small log Jail to boast Of as public
property. Other counties in the Ter
ritory, not possessing our resources,
have fine public buildings and small
er indebtedness. 1t is evident from
tLese and other circumstances that
might DO named That screw is loose
somewhere, and the machineryof our
County government warped.
BY a united effort upon the part Of
our people the drain can be stopped
and the food gates of public expendi-
lures closed, except for legitimate
purposes. Will they do iti