Great Falls tribune., 1889-04-03
THE CITY TICKET.

THE democrats of Great Falls dc not
fear party contest for the city o1llces'
But they consider that neither party mas
much to gain by such victory. they
hold in common with practical reformers
in the large cities, that politics should be
divorced from local affairs. This con-
clusion has been come to after long, costly
experience. 1t was party politics which
enabled William M. Tweed to plunder
New Xork to the tune of $10,00o,ooo or
thereabouts. He controlled Tammany and
Tammany controlled the city. Accord
ingly he was strong party man ana was
convicned that the democratic party would
90 to pieces if business men were allowed
ia conduct the city affairs on business
basis. 1t was this misuse OF the historic
party which had braved the political oat-
flo and the breeze that aroused the rage
of Samuel j. Tilden and Chas. O'Conor
who swept the ring out OF power ana
then helped elect a citizens ticket. IL
was this knowledge OF machine politics
that caused Horace Geeley to oppose the
election of Marshall o. Roberts, a strong,
wealthy republican Of high reputation
and support Hecker, the independent
candidate. In this city the people, III
like manner, rose nobly above party con-
siderations at the last charter election
and elected Paris Gibson mayor by accla-
nation.
It is not from lack Of strength that tile
Great Falls democracy upholds the policy
which produced such good results. The
general election was conclusive on that
point 1t will be recalled that Herbert
P. Rolfe, the regular republican nominee
for probate judge, was defeated in this
town by Judge Dyas in fight which
turned largely upon party issues ano
party fealty. At the opening OF the polls
the odds were in favor of Rolfe. His
own party deemed him heavy load, bu
felt bound to support him, as he had re
ceived the regular nomination. He uset
by the bushel-this strict party man
bogus democratic tickets, in which nj
name had been substituted for that
Judge Dyas. Some democrats "worked
for him at the polls and others gave hin
their votes. He expended money freel
and hung closely to the coattails of tn
popular candidates. Yet he was defeate'
> IN both town and county by John P. Dya
J a newcomer in this town, who had
: bogus tickets made no dickers and use
! no money except for ordinary expense
i In this contest the republican vote WE
;. swelled by the votes of about 100 scand
= uavians who had just taken out their p'
;. pers. No such vote could be polled nov
as the district is limited to the city limit
- From which 1t is very clear that the eli
ts is democratic and likely to remain so.
- Dickers on partisan basis are as bt
c as party tickets. In the height OF h
of power Bill Tweed hood wlnked both der
~ ocrats and republicans by his poll
IL board composed Of commissioners fro
70 each party. Tweed took care to pack t
H. board with republicans, who we're
,s+ ready to do his bidding as his democra
to appointees. In this city if we divide
ho offices on party basis we introduce II
m chine politics into matters of purely lo'
ne on guard. There is nothing in s'dewall
ID, dog pounds, streets grades and fire lin
D. which concerns the great parties or shou
er be made party test. We have 60
as timber for city government and shou
IN use it regardless of party machines.