Helena weekly herald., 1889-06-13
NOT GOING BY DEFAULT.

the following editorial item:
"This is first rate time for the Montana
Republicans to definitely determine
whether they will let the Congressional elec
tion few months hence 60 by default, as
they did the recent election for delegates
to the Constitutional Convention, or pitch
in and honestly endeavor to elect their
candidates. Republicans all over the coun-
try are doing good deal of serious think
ing Just now about the political conduct of
their Montana brethren"
The CD. is assuming what is not true,
that the Republicans of Montana allowed
the election for delegates to 60 by default.
Democratic officials had the districting of
the Territory. They had and still have a
majority of the Federal and Territorial off,
cials and their retainers to rally the faith
full and supply the oil to lubricate the
political machinery. The season of the
year was very unfavorable to call out full
vote in our thinly settled districts Every
farmer and ranchman was too busy to lose
day to 60 to the polling places for an cleo
tion that was not strictly political. Be-
sides the weather was not favorable to
those who had to 90 long distances. All
the advantages were on the side of the
Democrats and yet they have barely
secured a majority of three or four out of
body of seventy-fve.
This does not look much like letting the
election go by default in Territory that,
up to the election of last November, was
considered as reliably Democratic as New
York city. Many Democrats then openly
voted the Republican ticket because the
national policy of the administration was
clearly antagonistic to their chief interests.
But such Democrats have not entirely cut
loose from their party associations Many
of them still expect that their party will
abandon their free trade plank and under
the lead of such protectionists as Randall
and Dana present different issues before
another general election.
We have never claimed that the decisive
majority which elected our delegate last
November was any fair test of party
strength.
immigration has strengthened the Re-
publican ranks, but as yet we have had no
considerable immigration, such as has over
spread Dakota, Kansas and Nebraska.
When our next election occurs we shall
have registration law, the fruit of Repu'
blican legislation, something we have never
had before, and the Republicans have
every reason to expect to be gamers thereby.
We are not disposed to find fault with
President Harrison for delay in making
official changes, but for some reason there
seems to have been less attention given to
this matter in Montana than in either of
the other Territories, where the Republic
cans less needed help and strength from
this source.
But in spite of neglect and some other
adverse influences, the Republicans of
Montana aIe reasonably we'll united and
determined. They are not going to let the
October elections 60 by default. 1t will be
hand to hand fight from first to last, with
just enough uncertainty to call out the full
limit Of their strength.
1t is evident that the Democrats mean to
concentrate all the resources of their ma
tional organization upon carrying Montana
for their party. Republicans both within
and without Montana will please bear this
mind.
Even this early it is evident that we are
to have the hottest contested election ever
seen in any State on occasion of Presiden-
tial contest. There is no margin for fool
ishness or mistakes. We need every effort
of every Republican and every help we can
get. This we hope to have and therefore
expect that Montana will be Republican in
October next.