The semi-weekly miner. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1882-1886, 1882-09-27
TaB RAILROAD VOTE.

There seems 10 De q great zeal OF
senseless c!amor INDUCED In by the
Republican press Of the Territory
about what they call the railroad
, vete. To ope unacquainted with
. ;heir object the impression would lie
conveyed that some very important
issue was wrapped up In that vote
and that the whole aim Of each po-
litical party in the Territory was to
gain or control It. Some Of our Re
publican exchanges have gone 80 far
~ to assert that the Democratic can
didlate for Delegate was nominated
simply because he could 'catch the
railrosd vote" They alsO declare
that several gentlemen were ''scared
off, from seeking the Democratic
nomination for Delegate by the cry
that no one could control that vote
but Major NagiDnis. 1t Is Of course
expected that . minority, as hopeless
Us that Of the Republican party in
thi. Territory will say . great many
foolish things; engage In much idle,
silly twaddle, and make assertions IT
variance with facts for the purpose
Of breaking the force Of the
numbers against 1t, but
It IS not expected that the people will
take stock in all which the organs Of
that minority may be pleased to say.
Some credi. should be given to the
average Montana voter f"r honesty
and intelligence. As rule be is =
reading man and Is accustomed to
think and act for himself. Asser-
tons by PARTISAN newspapers, espee'
tally the Republican newspapers In
this Territory, are taken by him with
a due allowance for the motives
which prompt them. Hence, when
he is asked to believe that several
thousand men IN y certain portion
Of the Territory can lie driven to the
polls In the interest ofAOlne one man,
and lie made to deposit their ballots
fer him, draft is made upon his
cre,luli.y which he will not honor.
Let Us for moment look at this
railroad vote and see what it is
and where it is. In Mis-
soula county, On the western
line, the Northern Paci!i: railroad
company did not have a single voter
in the Territory ON the 9Th Of last
May. Those who came into the Ter
ritory after that date will not Ike per-
united to vote. So neither political
party can expect help from the rail-
road vote In the western portion Of
the Territory. In the eastern portion
the case is somewhat different. Al
though, as We are informed, a large
number Of hands working for the
company came into the Territory af-
ter the date above named, still there
are severn! hundred who will he en-
titled to vote en the eth Of next No
ve,,,l,er. But according to Republic
can authority u iarge majority Of
these men are Scandinavians, who
''are naturally and unco,npromising-
~ Republican, AID their vote will lie
for Dotkin." Or in the language Of
ex-Delegate C:ayett, "r!ie vote Of the
wl,ite-l,aircd wOrknlen Gu the North
ern Pacific cannot I've bought and de-
liv.reL to the Democrats" Accept
ing these statements ~ truths the
Democrats lave nothing to expect
from the railroad vote" in the Ter
ritory. And when We supplement
these statements by that Of the IIrIe-
ma Hc.utl, which was made on the
authority Of Col. Sanders, that the
company knew lis own business aud
proper .ii:ere better thai: to take sides
in any Political contest and then
add Ia them all the declaration Of
Col. Sanders himself ''that the Demo
csats woul.i whistle in vain far u vote
from the Northern Pacific railroad
We are led to inquire
Why is all this cla:nor being made
by the Republican press Of the Terri
tory about the railroad vote: Ac-
eor.liny To their Owu showing their
party owns it, anl will sc: it, and it
10 beyond the React, OF Mr.. Maginnis.
1t sec.:ls the Republicans have
es,e. oil f1n.s fSnnsss 1:asy vnsaV |
I,scn laughing in their sleeves ut the .
ignorance and ,lclusiom o. the Demo-
TRAITS who hope TO catch tho vote. They ,
passes superior knowledge in re-
gard to it, composition and the d.
recti"n Of its disposition. the vote,
they say, will be cast Cor Botkim, not
f"r Ma:innis. This being the case
lhc voter IT average intelligence will
inquire Why Major Magin- I
mis- was nominated As the only man ;
who can catch the railroad vote il
That vote la. been all along assured
for the Republican nominee. They
cannot answer that Major Na.inuis.
who was master Of all the cont
rany's secrets, ana carried its for
tunes IN his pantaloon. pockets" !
Was ignorant OF the rca! disposition ,
lo l,c made Of the vote, for il:at re- ,
ply would carry with it the pre-.
sumption tina: t|:.' Major Is foil, .
ana no enc believes such to be the
case. Then how are they to explain :
ihc evident Inconsistency In their :,
charges against Mr.. Maginnis and
Inc Democracy and their claims for
sfr. BOtkin: 1t is quite possible I.
that those Republican organs which
have econ,e Possessed o. tie secret
.on corning ;i'c l-rr: is: o>''ion Of the +;
railroad vote :nav rSn'a;n The incon- :,
':stency referred to. For our own :,
nart we shall! offer none at present. :,
|Iut iii common with other Demo- :
rats in the Territory we would bt :,
,lcased to learn how Major Mayinnis !;
= to get the railroad vote if it shall:
,e given to Mr.. Botkin, and il the
nominee carries it in his