The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1889-11-12
Republican Leaders Fixing up Their
Fences to Enter Race They
Cannot Win.
Hershfield Has Bernard on the Out
side Telling What a Great
Man He is
Couch in the Field simply Ia Heat Mantle -
white Thinks He Is Entitled 20
Some Reward.

BUTTE, Nov. ll.-lSpecial. THE republi-
cans here are confident that the arch-con-
spirators will see them through all right,
and with this feeling they are making con
lectures Ms 10 who they shall send 10 repre-
sent them in Washington. The appearance
of Ex-Convict- Fraudulent -Aflidavit-Pro-
curer Bernard on the streets last week oc-
casioned some surprise in the camp Of the
&. o. p. leaders here, aud this surprise
grew to amazement when the object of his
visit was ascertained. Now that the party
has used Bernard, they have no respect for
him aud would be thankful 10
his employer IL he would Danish
him 10 Siberia OF some other
summer resort. The respectable element OF
the <. O. p. totally ignores him and during
his visit here, Sidc-partner Jones was his
sole consolation. Barnard had business
here. He is now in the soliciting business
soliciting votes for l.. II. Hershfied for
the United States senate. This may seem
astonishing, but IL is u fact. While here
Barnard told the would-be representatives
that he had been in Benton, Great Falls,
Bozeman and Missouln, and had been
pledged hearty support for Mr., Hershheld.
These solicitations are coupled with great
promises, but Mr.. Hershfield's little lone
hand game and still hunt did not meet with
that encouragement here he would desire.
Not until two days after Barnard left
here wns the object Of his visit learned
Several men who were approached gave
Bernard 10 believe that they would look ia
yorably ON the matter, but this was done
merely for fear Of the Helena boodler.
when Bernard disappeared Hersh6elds can
didacy WIS freely commented upon and the
expressions Of opinion were such that Mr..
| Hershfeld will not stand n ghost Of show
in Silver Bow county. Demands appear
| ance as his solicitor was whatsdid the bust
ness. One representative remarked that he
thought Mr.. Hersh6eld had more brains
than 10 send an exrconvict 10 interview
them.
| Another senatorial candidate has bobbed
up, and he IL in the ring 10 stay. This
nspirant is Mr.. Thos. Couch who a few
days ago resigned his position as general
manager of the Boston a Montana Copper
company. II has now leaked out that Mr..
Couch resigned that he might personally
devote his time 10 the canvass. lie has
begun feeling around at home Mr.. Couch
can draw his check for round million, MI
of which he has accumulated in the last five
years. lie il a right jolly and popular fell
low. n man of broad views, full Of enter
prise and energy. and knows no such word
az fail in business ventures. As n politician
Mr. Couch is inexperienced when compnred
with the Broadway bosses. But Mr.. Couch
secured majority Of delegates in the county
convention aud il the great conspiracy
goes his way he will have the support of the
Silver Bow representative on the republican
side. There was no more liberal contrbu-
tor IN the last campaign than Mr.. Couch
and he was worked 10 the full limit. He
was not directly asked 10 "pungle," but
within his hearing some henchman would
remark; "we're hard pressed for money
| 1
other assessment" Big-hcarted Couch
would immediately speak up; 1--WE got
money; just send around TO me whenever
You run short" And how they did bleed
Couch While up in Centeryille during the
campaign Mr.. Couch, who always takes
nip with the boys just 10 be sociable,
told the keeper Of popular saloon
90 keep his place open and let everybody
drink at his expense during the campaign
"and mike out your bill and send il 10 me. !"
The barkeoper did 40 and IL now oOntem-
plating erecting new building. Mr.
! Couch IL not particularly anxious To go to
the senate, but of course il he was asked TO
serve the people he would not decline; but
he has not much confidence in his ability
to get there His campaign now il one Of
the chapters in an old score he has with
Ross Mantle. He wants 10 down Mantle
and during the last campaign proved his
( ability 90 do ~ in snubbinR Lee NJ the county
I convention and In keeping him from going
10 Anaconda IN n delegate Ia the state con
yention, That WAS only one thrust. The
fatal blow is coming. Couch will
have his delegation stand pat
for himself. and he knows
IL Mantle cannot get the support of his
N'hNAiAhAhNn h' VIII fiinu NAiN Aliilt nll0N
with the balance of the state. Mantle is
smnrt enough TO see through the scheme
and therefore in public be is lukewarm
nbout his candidacy but hc hns burning
desire to st in the senate just the same and
believes in his innermost soul that he will
get there. Sanders * the choice for the
east side senator. White IN also in the ring,
believing that he will squeeze in again as
compromise candidate. OF course, all of
this business is time and mental worry
wasted, as between every line there projects
great big r. but trying 10 overlook the
"if' the programme and tactics are as
related.
Postmaster Talent wants 10 quit. He
sent IN his resignation month ago and no
notice has been taken of IT,. IL is under
stood that Russell B. mud the Butte bosses
and MIR. Carter each have candidates for
that position md cannot agree upon. one.
The most likely man at this time s
Johnny" Evans, the popular little Welsh.
man with Robt. Grix. There are fully ~
Welsh voters in this place and Johnny has
a"pulr' on the whole baud. He uses his
prestige for the party and M the situation
now stands be has the best chance OF
aatifuft ha ffuFn