The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1882-07-07
WHO FOR LEGIsLAToRss

Within q short time the chairmen of COM
mIttees Of the respective political parties In
the several counties will begin to call their.
committees together, arrange for primaries
ard conventions and set the squadrons for
the biennial campaign. Within four months
there will be to elect Delegate to Congress,
members Of the legislature, providing an
apportionment Is provided for by Congress),
district, county and township officers. 1t
may or may not be an exciting campaign.
That depends to some extent on the noini-
/ nations for Delegate, and the contests for
the fat county Offices. But 1t will be an i'm
portant campaign under any circumstances
and Its importance will depend principally
upon officers In whose selection heretofore
the too prominent considerations have been
their party utilization and partisan efficiency.
We allude to members OF the legislature. 1t
10 not putting II too strong to say that the
elections 10 Montana are principally a con-
test for spoils. The efforts Of the party, the
zeal Of the managers, the money devoted to
the campaign, are concentrated on the Sher-
ifialty, Recordeship, or Assessorship, or
other good paying Offices; the conventions
take color and character from the struggle of
delegates to secure nominations to these Of
fees for their respective friends, and then
the geographical equilibrium and party har- |
mony Is restored or provided for by polite |
disposition OF the Legislative delegation pro-
vided good party men can be found TO &C.
cept. Sometimes one or two active working |
members are secured In delegation of four |
or six, and the Others have performed the |
principal duty expected of them If they |
whoop things up chee1ully during the cam
Treasurer step into comfortable positions,
charge the electors the regular fees, and en-
10y the benefits. The legislator, whose Sc
lection and election have been matters of
minor importance, goes to the Capital and
assists In making, or obstructing the making
Of, laws that directly affect the welfare of
every citizen. II looks TO us that the inter-
est has been concentrated on the wrong part
Of the tickets and that Montana at this time
should give especial care to the selection of
its legislature.
We have two great railroad corporations
pushing their enterprises In Montana. 1t Is
to be presumed Montana Is friendly to both
these companies. We certainly are aud are
glad that the conditions are such that both
will prosper from their coming. That Is In
evitable. Legislation toward them should
be friendly and just. But railroad corpora
tions are not generally content with fair
franchises and enJoyments. They are con-
Quoted with an Unsuitable desire to make
money and they employ able men to look
after the interests and secure concessions and
legislation whereby the corporations are
benefited at the expense OF the public.
They control the legislatures In many states,
and have even outwitted and out lawed the
United States. II Is only reasonable to an
ticipate that Montana will have ample oppnr-
tunity TO enroll itself as victim Of railroad
legislation. It Is against this Montana should
protect itself In the coming election. Let
us not select illiberal members, who think
the duty lies with them to suppress railroads,
or on the other hand, men whom the rail-
road companies can use to suppress the
Territory. The need Of the day is intelligent,
honest, alert legislators, men of affairs and
business experience, who viii give reason
able heed to requests for right and reason
able legislation, and who will resolutely
oppose any measure Of aggression upon the
welfare Of the Territory. Legislation affect.
Ing railroad and public interests will inevi.
Lably grow out Of extensions of railroads
into and through It. There are measures
the railroads could properly ask for and that
could properly be enacted for the welfare Of
all; but In asking these there is no record
hat railroad companies have halted. 1t Is
reasonable to anticipate that Mon
ana will be made the glorious exception TO
he rule, and on the legislature we must rely
'or the Discrimination and integrity tlat will
iare to do all that Is right, and dare to refuse
III that is wrong. w
We trust the Territory and the great cor
,orations extending roads into IL, will be I
mutually friendly. We trust these corpora
ions will not interfere In our elections. We !
rust our people will not be hostile to these {
n any other companies that tend to develop
md prosper the country by legitimate enter q
'rises. But the best assurance of amity and .
continued good will, Is in having a strong, {
Ionest, intelligent, clear headed Legislature
nd 1t will soon ieyolve on the electors of
he Territory TO say who shall constitute e
hat body. Ii were well II at this election r
be scramble for the minister's. Offices should e
o made matter of secondary consideration p
nd that those having the public interests at
cart, should look about for the ablest and II
est men In the districts and counties, to e
erve In the thirteenth Legislative Assembly :
Montana. 49, H8 o.