The Bozeman weekly chronicle., 1888-07-25
MONTANA POLITICS.
Activity of the Prohibitionists. Tao
tics Of the Republicans.
Prospective Candidates. W.

al pot mad DeguH u uoll anu .ceetne, the
Prohibitionists had just organized their
revolt in this county, and politics were
discussed on every corner. But now the
situation all over the territory is Il pas.
siye one. The nomination Of Cleveland
was a foregone conclusion and as con-
sequence no booming of fireworks, no
fiery or bolnbastic campaign oratory
welcomed it. The Republicans last week
burned little powder and shot off some
Chinese fireworks at Helena, but their
enthusiasm was OF an artificial character
gotten up by Il few astute Helena poll
ticians who expect Office from "Pa,"
participated in by those whose sole OBJ
iect was to make showing and not be-
cause their hearts were filled with
exuberant joy over the Chicago nomina-
tions. There is nothing about the can.
didate for Presidency on the Republican
ticket calculated to stir up much. en-
thusiasm in the territory without vote,
especially here where the results of that
candidates Chinese policy are felt in
measure, So stand the two political
parties to day in this territory. The
Democrats silently satisfied that their
principles will win without the "iuss and
feathers" of hurrahs and bowling, and
the Republicans at loss to make move
that will stir up enthusiasm.
In the meanwhile the Prohibitionsts
of the territory are quietly at work
strengthening and encouraging their
forces, with the view of putting up a
ticket in every county where their
organization has membership. Unless
causes now unforeseen should produce
change before November, it is within
bounds to say that AT least ten counties
in this territory will produce a Prohibit
| ton ticket A number Of causes go to
prove that the Prohibitionists will come
to the front. First of all the steady
growth of the organization, under the
constant FIRE of ridicule and abuse,
means that the members will insist that
they by allowed the privilege of casting
their vote for those who are outside OF
the two old parties. Secondly, the plat
form and principles enunciated at their
territorial convention compels them to
proceed on the lines laid down and to
nominate ticket wherever foothold
has been made. Then came the trumpet
call of the "Little Giant" who came all
the way from Ohio to sound assembly
followed by the sending of delegates to
Indianapolis convention, where a host
of the leading men of the party met and
laid down the plan of the campaign. Pro-
hihition is not dead nor sleeping in
Montana. 1t is here in the full vigor oi
energetic manhood and it is determined
to destroy the old parties, beginning first
with the Republican and then with its
Republican recruits wage an unrelent
ing warfare on the Democratic party
which has, in the north, been un
compromisingly opposed to the innova
tions sought to be brought about by tht
, Prohibitionists. Four years ago th'
Prohibition movement in this territory
was not felt, but with better organiza
ton, a territorial as well as several county
!, tickets, double enthusiasm and desirt
to show its strength, it can readily b'
seen that vote of no slight Importance
will be balloted in November. Club
: have quietly been organized all over tn
territory and funds contributed to ai'
the work. The W. C. T. u. are taking
hand in the fight and the ministers arr
endeavoring to show their laymen thu
, alleged duty they owe their country ant
, their religion. with an assuidity that can
not but count. There are also few Re
, publicans who are disgusted with tn
plank of their party platform which re
eommends free whisky and which ha
driven SO many prominent Republican
clergymen out Of the ranks. The Pro
hibition orators will not fail to take ad
vantage of this issne either,
The labor party in this territory will
be relied upon bv the Republicans to of
set the votes of Prohibition, but at pre-
sent writing this party is decided.
moribund. Republican campaign fund
will be used as far as possible with thi
element, but in view of the Chinese re
cord of Mr.. Harrison, is not REASONABLE
to suppase that any great or alarmin
J degree of vitality will be infused int
this faction. The Republicans also rel.
: on their superiority OF Organization whicl
! is far ahead of the Democrats,-who ar
, prone to rest easy on the victories O
. former years. Again the Republican
l expect to raise larger campaign fun
than ever before. Republican clubs ar
/. being formed all over the territory an
the clap.trap of "free trade" and 'lo'
wages" will be used extensively as tn
war cry with the hope that free lead an
: wooP will create stampede at the las
3 moment.
The fact that Mr.. Harrison's son reside
8 IN Montana, and in the event OF his PAS
: election, number of Helena's Repnbli
, cans, who have hastened to call hin
their beloved friend, would be supplies
. with offices, has awakened more interes
at that point than elsewhere in the terri
} tory and were it not for this fact poll
s tics in this territory would not assum
: the proportions of base ball talk.
. Among the candidates mentioned 10
Delegate, T. C. Power is regarded as tn
] man who will enter the arena from tn
Republican party. Mr.. Power has look
ed longingly toward the position, which
: could be used most conveniently in hi
! business, and his numerous friends an
! strikers who are wont to dabble in th
: business of furnishing post supplies. ar
united in their efforts to have HIM non
n mated. That he possesses strength i
f his own party that cannot be overlooke
e or overcome is made plain by the fac
5 that at the Livingston convention, whic
g elected delegates to the Chicago conver
r ton, he was sprung and before the OF
d position knew where they stood HI
e strength had developed to an extent tina
, swept everything before it.
Q To summarize the situation in th
/ territory, the Democrats enter it wit