The new North-west. [volume] (Deer Lodge, Mont.) 1869-1897, 1883-01-19
THE GoyERNoRsHIP.

On Monday last J. Schuyler Crosby by
tanning The prescribed oath qualified as Gov
ernor Of Montana and entered upon his ,lu-
Ties, succeeding Governor Benjamin +.
Potts. The latter has been the chief execu-
tive Of Montana for more than twelve years,
bis third commission expiring last July. He
has been the best Governor Montana ever
had, as good as any Territory has bad or
need wish for, and In bis retirement from
Office this just tribute Is due him. When be
assumed the duties Of his ONCE the Terri
sorry was burdened with large and Increas-
ing debt; Its securities were placed at high
rates of interest and greatly deprecated In
value, while the current warrants were
hawked about at shameful discounts and
Territorial expenses increased proportion
ately. Notwithstanding the depression that
Montana labored under for years, when our
population was depleted by emigration and
policy Of retrenchment, and has followed 1t
up year after year until now when he retires
from Office, Montana Is free from debt, and
has money In her treasury. That alone Is
an achievement to be proud Of, and although
Of later years be has been supported in the
purpose by legislative action, his earlier ef-
forts were thwarted until one Of less tena-
city and iron will would have swung with
the tide of indifference and abandoned the
effort. In the matter of official fees and
checking Of county Indebtedness he has
been not less persistent but considerably less
successful. The county officers have too
many friends In the Legislature, or perhaps
the members Of the Legislature have
too many friends In the county Offices,
for much to be accomplished In that direc-
ton. Governor Potts believes that the fees
of officers are too high, when for the sake Of
holding an Office two years, candidate will
spend nearly one years salary electiopeer-
ing. Economy In public affairs has been
the salient characteristic of his administra-
ton, but aside from that It has been q safe
administration, conservative, devoid Of osten-
tation, honest and decent. There Is no man
Of purer moral character, or more irreproach-
able habits In Montana than Benz. +. Potts,
and his administration has been Q reflex of
the man personally. He has had enemies
who believe him hard and harsh. Perhaps
to them he Ia. He 10 not OF those who when
smitten on one cheek will turn also the
other, nor one believing he Is right will
yield; but as within an armor Of steel to
meet foe the bravest and gentlest Of knights
have stood, 80 within the iron Of his nature,
that alone bis enemies see, there Is a
heart Of most generous sympathies and
gentleness. We know this. II led to
an arrangement once between US.
He pardoned too many convicts out Of
the penitentiary. We dissented, and he took
his revenge by as friendly service as man can
do for man. We think yet that Executive
clemency has not been exercised near fru
gally enough. We trust Governor Crosby
will not fall into that error. But we believe
Governor Potts had not hardness Of hear
enough TO say "No" to the appeal Of pris
oner.
But Governor Potts has friends, too. They
are the many as compared tothe few. They
are not the politicians, but they are the peo
pie of Montana. He has administered the
affairs of the Territory wisely and we'll fol
many years, and no citizen of this broad
land, however humble, had ever to walt au
dience. cordial greeting, or active effort in
bis behalf when 1t was meritsd. He La
made his home among US, and hereafle
when are named those most eminent and es
teemed among our citizens that Of Governor
Potts will be placed Is was the name Of ABBOT
ben Adhem.
We bid the late executive official Good
bye, and welcome with best wishes his sue
cessor, Governor Crosby.