Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-06-05
.NONT1NA Politics.

the attention OF the people for the facts
presented. We feel assured that the
sentiments expressed meet the views
of fully fMlr-titths of the voters of
Montana, and that when an oppor-
tunity is presented they will express
them at the polls.
We observe in the Helena papers
that both Of the political parties are
calling conventions and meetings.
Who sc;N attend Mem9 The answer to
that question will prove all that has
been said in the previous articles pub
lished in this paper. A few {and a
very few party leaders and Office
seekers will be OH hand to run the ma
chine as in the past. Will the honest
voter be present and have a voice in
the schemes that these party tricksters
intend to accomplish! by no means.
Conventions have been the hot beds
Of the grossest corruption now pervad-
ing all the halls of legislation. But
for The intrigues carried Oh by design
ing demagogues through the engineer
ing of conventions much Of the gross
abuses in State Legislatures and Con
gress might have been prevented.
Notwithstanding the notorious cor
ruptness OF the convention system, the
wire-workers in Montana politics have
opened the ball, and propose to play
the same game in the election that is
to take place on the first Monday in
August next. We can very well I'M
derstand the unusual haste manifested
in preparing at SO early period for
conventions. The leaders see that
there is springing up everywhere a
strong feeling Of independence on the
part Of the people. They perceive
that the wave that has swept parties
from existence in the States is rolling
on to the Territories, and that free
people mean to be diseEthralled and
no longer he bound in tie chains Of
party. The political wire-pullers call
these conventions early in order to ar
rest, if they can, the revolution, but
when the people arise in their majesty
their will cannot be thwarted by such
puny efforts. The voters of Montana
have had enough of party and party
politics. 1t was miserable delusion
to have ever divided voters in this
Territory by party lines. In a Terri
tory, which has no vote in national
politics or affairs. it has been a piece
of the merest folly to run either Demo
cratic or Republican candidates as
such. We should know no political
distinctions in Montana. The men
chosen to fill Office should be voted for
on the grounds Of their fitness and
honesty.
The sense Of the people every
where takes this view OF the question.
In most of the Western States politi-
cal distinctions have ceased to exist,
and men of all parties arc fraIernizing
and uniting to work out q reform that
shall drive corruption from our legis-
lative halls, and put down exclusive
ness in legislation. Thousands are
focking to the standard Of reform, and
the election this fall will show but few
men returned to Congress who cling
to old party associations. A new and
better race of men will hereafter make
laws for the people. Political leaders
in Montana will find the same spirit
animating the people of this Territory
that prevails throughout the Union.
Ours is an intelligent and reading com
munity. They have not been idle OBJ
servers Of passing events, and conven-
ton after convention may be called
and meet, but no one he in attendance
but officc-llunters and those having
axes to grind. The honest ycomanry
Of Montana will not participate III
them. They have determined no longer
to follow party leaders like tlocks OF
sheep. They intend to think and act
for themselves without any dictation.
In an extensive intercourse with real
people, who are interested in the ma
terial prosperity of the Territory. we
feel certain that the views expressed
in this article are correct, and that
they mean to vote for the best men
for Office without regard to-. former
party connections.
This is the position taken by the
COURIER, and one which it means to
maintain in the approaching canvass,
and we mean to stand by and stand
up to this effort of the people to get
rid Of the corruptions of the convcn-
ton system, and to ignore party in the
selection Of men to fill Office. As init