Bozeman avant courier. [volume] (Bozeman, Mont.) 1872-1882, 1874-05-08
MONTANA POLITICS.


MONTANA POLITICS.
The timcis approaching when the
citizens Of this Territory viii be called
upon to determine the course Of action
for the election in August. In former
numbers Of the COURIER the opinion
las been expressed that the next can
vass should be conducted without any
recognition of former party lines, and
that men to he chosen should be INDE.
PENDENT of both organizations. The
people ought to be convinced BY this
time that no good to the Territory has
lccn done by adhering to either the
Republican or Democratic parties
That the conventions held have not
reflected the wishes Of the people.
That by money, fraud and treachcry
men have been chosen as candidates
for Delegate to Congress that we're not
by any means the choice Of the masses
Of either party. Then the men chosen
for the Legislature have proved a dis
appointments and wholly failed ~ carry
ont the wishes of the people by the
enactment of useful laws. The last
Legislature is an example of how little
Legislative body can do. 1t is re-
garded as having been one grand fail.
ure where much w.s expected They
scere the creatures Of the abomixable CON-
vextiox system. We are thoroughly
opposed to holding any more party
conventions in Montana. We believe
in mass meetings Of the people where
every voter has . voice in the selection
Of candidatesto fill the Offices. The
people Of Gallatin county got Together
in mass meeting last year and made
selections Of men they preferred, and
were successful The same thing can
b done in every county in Montana,
and until this is done, there will not
be any real reform in the administra-
ton Of public affairs. We think re-
turn to the old plan Of choosing men
10 far preferable. Let every man who
aspires to serve the people and hold
an Office comc out on biz own hook
no matter if there be . dozen men for
each ofice-and the people can choose
their man. In this way there is no
cheating as is done in conventions.
Every aspirant should announce him
self "as candidate subject to the de-
cisio* Of the people at the polls on the
frst Monday in August" By doing this
the elections will be free from corrup.
ton, and honest and good men will
alone be chosen. II the people Of Mon
tsna desire good laws to be enacted
and the interests Of the Territory pro.
NOTED, they will abandon the system
Of conventions and in all Territorial
adairs ding away party.
How are these conventions managed
A few leaders get together and run |
the whole machine. This has been
the course since Montana has been q |
Territory. The people have had no
control Of them at all. They have
been entirely ignored. This is too well !
known to be fact to need elaboration.
IN every county after tho adjournment
Of convention suck hsvs been the
eteahng and outrage Of private rights
that general indignation prevailed in
tho respective communities.
Fellow.citizens of Montana we ap.
peal to you by every consideration con.
nected with the public welfare and the
interests Of yourselves and your of.
spring to rise in your majesty and no
longer be "lewers of wood and draw.
ers Of water" for party leaders. Throw
Of the yoke Of party conventions, and
rise in your own strength and power
and he freelnen. Too long you have
borne with these abuses, aud it is a
solemn duty to your country to assert
your independence. Take the manage.
nent Of your own affairs in your own
hands and no longer be made tools
and cats-paws to foster and promote
men who have no regard for your
welfare or that Of the Territory, but
IRE wholly engrossed in the promotion
If their own selfish schemes. In the
States the people are throwing aside
party and uniting. They have taken
the peins- OF power in their own hands
and arc welding them in the advance.
ment Of the public good. Reform Of
abuses is being executed and material
prosperity advanced. BY declaing
themselves independent Of Old partlesI