The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1881-02-09

loaned at a cent and half per month, they
have acted wisely. If they are acting with
the belief that their constituents will be bene-
fitted, they had better adjourn at once.
"Mr. Kennerly, Of Choteau, has introduced
q bill for the virtual repeal Of the printing
law, and proposes to confer upon the county
commissioners the power to contract for the
printing of the various counties. We con-
sidered all the issues in regard to the printing
law as virtually settled by the last election. :
= x After the victory has been won, we
confess to some surprise to find a man elect
ed by Democratic votes joining hands with
the Republicans on this issue, upon which
they were defeated at the last election."-ln-
dependent.
The Independent, in its assertion hal the
printing law was an issue on the last election,
forgets that two Democratic papers out Of
three-leaving out the hecord, independent
have been for a year past filled with anathe-
mas against the law, and two Republican
papers have been its earnest champions. The
only Democratic paper which would be af-
fected by a change in the law is the Indepen-
dent, and the attempt to make a party issue
Of a matter which did not receive an iota Of
attention in the campaign, excepting indi-
rectly in Choteau county, probably results
from its W wishes in the matter Of printing,
and here the issue was carried at the polls
against the law.
We would be very glad to see the lndepen-
dent get. the printing; indeed would much
prefer it if its existence depends upon it,
whether the law remains in force or whether
it be changed, but we do not like its manner
Of attacking 8 prominent Democratic mem
Der for introducing 9 bill, on the ground that
he is working against the wishes and inten-
tons of his party, when, BY its own admis-
sion, the independent is the only Democratic
paper in the Territory which was being ben
Gifted by it, and when, as in this case, the
county commissioners of Choteau county
unanimously favor the change as contem-
plated BY Mr.. Kennerly, and this county
board being composed Of two Democrats
and one Republican.
The INDEPENDENT states that the present
law is cheaper, and less liable to litigation,
than what preceded it. This may be true,
for we do not know what preceded it. But
we cannot see why q triumvirate, consisting
of the Governor, the President of the Coun-
Gil and the Speaker Of the House, should be
better able to dispose Of a purely local matter
than three other men, who are as able as q
class as the ordinary legislator Gf they were
not better, God save the mark), and far bet
ter qualified to know Of their own needs than
those who know nothing about them. Be-
sides, as everybody knows, one Of that trium-
virate is a Republican. And to claim that
the county commissioners would be less hon
est than the printing board, is an impeach-
ment o2 the honesty of the county boards
which we think was made without due con-
sideration, and which, for our part, we Will
not admit. IF the law was animated by a de-
sire from Democrats to protect as far as pos
sible the press Of their party, as the -zndepen-
dent says, from Republican discrimination,
WHY is it that two Republican papers have
been given the printing to the detrlment Of
two Democratic papers, as in the case OF the
Miner and Mad5s0m5nn versus the NeD NORTH
West and Messenger. That this has been
done is q matter too notorious for REPUTATION,
and shows that if it really was enacted for
the benefit Of Democratic papers, it has fail
ed Of its object, and should be repealed.
The Iudependent also says: Mine and
ranchmen have been compelled to publish
their applications for patents, ETC., 10 the
| Herald, z or other Republican papers, and the
| idea conveyed that they would have prefer
red to ~patronize Democratic papers, al Of
which may be true, and it is also true that
| Republicans have been compelled to patron
ize Democratic papers when they would nave
much rather served their own.
It also states that democratic papers, de-
prived Of all official support, were left to
struggle with poverty etc. This is 9 matter
TO be wondered at, in such Q Democratic
stronghold as Montana, while Republican
papers, when deprived Of il, flourish like 9
green bay tree.
The Independent says further: eMr. Ken
nerly only proposes to take the ~dispensatlon
Of this kind Of patronage from q Democratic
Legislature and confer it upon county COM