The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1880-05-21
THE LOCAL CAMPAIGN.

We publish In this issue the proceedings
Of the Democratic Territorial Central
Conmittee-the first gun IN the local cam
paign of 1880. The selection of Delegate
Maginnis and Col. Voolfolk az delegates TO
Cincinnati starts the two wings off harmo-
niously, at least In relation to National pol
itics, and secures Montana very creditable
representation, IL any at all Is accorded
her, in the Democratic Convention. Be
side, as Capt. X. K. Fisk, OF the Herald,
was selected for the Republican Convex
ton, 1t IL only fair that Col. Voolfolk, OF the
Independent, should go to the Democratic.
He has not been quite SO long in the edito-
rial harness, but during the few months he
has controlled its colsmns he has given the
Independent status with the public it new
or enjoyed before, and while generally ex-
pressing orthodox Democratic views, has
achieved for its utterances the respectful
consideration Of men of both parties.
There may, too, have been a shade of inspi-
ration In selecting the Colonel to hold him
down on that line. The Democratic party has
not had much principle for the past twenty
years-that is, any that lasted any more
than one campaign-and Colonel Wool
folks intelligence has on some occasions
led him TO branch off from a merely mega
tive party and have some pronounced opin-
ions. Now, therefore, that he is at the
helm of the party organ it was just well
enough, you know, to see that he should be
held down to the absolute faith and straight
ticket as known and expounded by the
party conventions. We do not know but
that this is best for Col. Voolfolk it Ger
tainly is for the Democratic party Of Mon
tana. We do not see the remotest posi-
bility of ever reforming the latter; it
might be worse to follow even its
disastrous fortune than to hopelessly strive
for better things.
We notice the Convention entrusted to
the Delegation a mission of importance
securing political recognition from the Ma
tional party. This is something that should
be demanded and conc eded, and it is the
entering wedge to enlarged rights and
privileges by the Territories. The Repub-
lican party is as usual, somewhat in advance
| of the Democrats on this matter but al
our Territorial Convention in its haste OF
thoughtlessnsss neglected to further ad-
vance the cause by instructions to delegates
our Greeley-Jacksonian friends may ye
find opportunity to work alongside in com
mon cause.
The apportionment of the Territory In
the next Convention, giving Deer Lodge 81
members in 100, suggests the infinentia
position of this county in Territorial af,
fairs, and whether this county 10 not emit
tied to Democratic recognition in selecting
the next candidate for Delegate. In thi
connection we have heard PROMINENT.
mentioned the names of w. A. Clark, Esq
and Geo. W. Stapleton, Esb.. of Butte, bu
presume the choice will tall as usual OF
Delegate Maginnis.
The only proper complaint Republican,
have to make so far against the action o
the Democratic tee is th'
date at which the Democratic Convention
is to be held the 8th of September. Tn
Republic ans under the recognized rules o
politics are entitled to have their Convsn.
tion succeeding the Democratic. With tn
Democratic held on the 9Th, which is tn
Wednesday Of Fair week, the Republican
will have to wait nearly or fully a weel
later. After the Convention it will requir
at least ten days to arrange the programme
and for the candidate to get in the field
The election falls on November 9th. Al
the time, therefore, allowed our candidate
will not exceed four weeks, which is made
quate to make a canvass. The settlement
are extending and the people of each com
munity, as well as the candidates, YER.
properly desire to meet. With the Custe
county, Smith River, Judith, Sun Rive
heretofore visited, the candidates will fine
it impossible to reach their possible con
stituents before the election. Were tn
campaign to be nominal or to go by default
as has been the case recently, this condi
ton of affairs would be unimportant, a
least to Republicans, but If it is designe
to once more buckle on the harness aud tr
conclusions with our erring brethren,
will be necessary either to hold the Repub
lican Convention earlier or to omit the can
vass of important points.