The Benton weekly record., 1882-08-24
OUR NEXT DELEGATE.

The fact that Hon. Martin Maginnls
stated during tie last political campaign
that he had no desire to run again for Del
egate should cut no figure whatever in the
coming contest. We have no eligible CAM
didate In this Territory whose personal
good for the Territory rs that Of Major
Maginnis. The most ambitious aspirants
for the office must acknowledge this very
evident fact And If they have the best
interests Of the Territory at heart they Will
prove their sincerity in tlia regard and en-
hance their chances for future hOnOrs by
publicly stating that they are willing to
withdraw in favor Of Maginnis. II they
are not actuated by desire to advance the
interests of the Territory IN seeking an
election, they are not safe men TO elect.
The Democracy OF the Territory cannot
afford to nominate any other man, rs it is
their only escape from disgraccful defeat.
The Republicans, in nominating any other
man can only be actuated by party pride,
and for this they deserve credit, but it
must not be forgotten that in this Terri
tory there are no vital issues between the
two parties. It is only a question Of who
can accomplish the most general good for
the Territory. When Montana has become
8 State and every Congressman elect will
have the influence Of vote, then personal
popularity will not figure so prominently.
But at present there is no political influence
attached to our representative whatever
except such as he has In social intercourse
and public speeches, and we know that
Major Maginnis has in this respect more
influencc-the influence OF experience, the
influence Of extensive acquaintance with
the heads Of departments and the great
est political leaders Of the country
than any other resident of Montana.
Further than this, his influence with the
army is as extensive aa it is unprecedented
in the Political career Of any delegate from
any Territory In the Union. What more
can be said in favor of his reelection. It
is not Il question Of whether he wants to
go, but will he go at the urgent request Of
his constituents. We believe he will.
Maginnis has accomplished much during
his present term, but what he has accom-
plished is not SO important as the work
that he has cWt out and will, If freturned,
succeed in completing during the next
term Of Congress. Choteau wants the
Milk river reservation, and the future of
the Territory depends greatly upon her
success in obtaining this addition to her
lands. When MaginnIs first went to Con-
gress, Choteau county was blotted from
the map. The lines OF the Indian reeerva-
ton extended from the mouth Of Marias
to Sun River. But that year Choteau
gave Maginnis a unanimous vote, and be-
fore Congress had time to confirm the in
famous attempt to crush the town and
county ont Of existence, maginnis had ex-
plained the true situation, and fought for
the county until even its enemies became
ashamed of themselves and ceased their
prosecutions. Since then it would be i'm
possible for us to find space +n aAto,'->~~----"~
sr.o ,,o1lrnps tIIaI nave been showered upon
our people through this mans indefatiga-
BILE exertions. But enough to say that if
the addition Of the Milk river country to
our county is ut all desirable there will be
no opposition to the denomination Of Ma
ginnis, even by those who have not lived |
long enough among lis to appreciate his
past efforts in our behalf.