The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-18
CAPTAIN COUCH TALKS.
He Scores Mantle and His Retainers
For Their Treatment Of Loyal
Republicans.
The Republican Nominee For Con-
gross May Be An Eastern Mon
tana Man.
Couch Says That Mantle and His Friends
Cut No Figure in Silver Bow
Politics.


Capt. Tom Couch, the well-known leader
of the ''hopposition" in the republican party
Of Silver Bow county, was in the city yes
terday on the way to Butte from his ranch
in Cascade county. Within few years the
captain has become q prominent figure
among the republican war horses Of the
state. He is the manager of the Boston d
Montana company in Butte, and is there
fore in position to represent good many
votes. Then. again, his prominence in the
fractional fight in Silver Bow county and
his successful leadership of the anti-Mantle
forces combine to give him high place in
republican councils throughout the state.
He had not been in town long yesterday
before the local politicians had started out
to find him. LII. Hirshfeld, whose politi
cal hopes are not yet blasted though they
do not promise we'll, and Surveyor General
Eaton, who loves Tom Power as satan does
the church, found Capt. Couch in the Mon
tana club. They held a long consultation
which may result in q serious change At
plans among the republican leaders. They
may as we'll jot down in their political
memorandum that Eaton would like
|
congress. Capt. Couch intimated this when
he said that the nominee might be an
eastern Montana man. When asked if he
was willing to talk on political matters he
said: II have been away for ten days and
consequently do not know the latest move,
ments in political circles. l hear good
deal of talk. but so far as the republican
candidate is concerned think the situa-
! ton is uncertain. I think it ID safe to say
| that the republican nominee will not come
from Lewis and Clarke county. The re-
publican leaders of Helena will not have it.
don't think Seligman has ghost of
show for the nomination"
Captain. ia Carter out of the field?
| He undoubtedly is. l think his accept
ance of the craftsmanship of the republican
congressional committee clearly indicates
that he does not mean to be candidate
for reelection. l do not think his name
will be presented to the convention. Is
| there an available west side man? Yes,
think there are several. Gov. White is one
of them, but doubt if he would run.
! Who are the others?
Well, can't call names just now, as
have not a very large political acquaintance
on the west side outside of Silver Bow
county, | don't believe in this nonsensical
howl about the differences between the two
sides anyhow. am for the best man, no
matter where he comes from. think it
possible that man from eastern Montana
| ASfN0AA~> 1890
nee.
Your name has been mentioned for the
nomination. Would you accepti it?
Under no circumstances. l have enough
business to keep my time occupied, and l
prefer to remain where I am. Now you
want to know how the so.called Mantle
ring of the republican party stands in Sill
yer Bow county. They cut very little fig
ure in politics there. They represent moth
ing. They carry no voters, and so far as
In a e. sr,r Il
they are outside of consideration. l can
count the Mantle followers on the fingers of
one hand, and three out of the five are
doubtful. Warren, Irvine, Wyman and
Lyons are his friends. They are takers.
and nothing else, and 80 far as republican
they are back numbers. You can't tell
when they are republicans and when
either eth H. /. Frank or W. A. Clark when
their support is wanted. They did no WORK
to speak of in the last election. They
did what work was done. Why even in the
convention at Anaconda, Mantle sulked
around like a spoiled child. He refused tc
Q confer with the delegation and did what he
g could to break up harmony. Last winter
v he came over here to be elected United
: States senator. He was not in the ract
from the start. He never could have been
!. elected because the republican members o.
II the legislature did not want him. They
/ did not think he was the right man tt
!. represent the dignity of the state of Monta-
a ma in the United States senate. His repu
v tation may have had something to do with
t this feeling. He got more votes than ht
q would have had if anyone supposed that HI
a could be elected. Now what followed aftel
s his defeat. He made a very pleasant tall
about harmony, loyalty to the republioa
party, ETC., and went home. The next day
his paper opened a torrent of reckless abust
on the republicans who had voted agains
n him. The paper abused republicans IN al
" parts of the state who had ventured pro-
You see it is like this. When Mantle can
have things his own way he sets the pape
after some one. We pay no more attention
to this rot now in Silver Bow county thar
to reports of big strike in the planet o
OF Mars. The paper has lost the little influ
to ence it ever had and it is now dead weigh
id on the party. Mantle never can be nomi
If by unforeseen circumstances he should
nominated he would be beaten out of sigh
Missoula. Lewis and Clarke, Silve
Bow and Deer Lodge countie
-, would bury him 80 deep that he would nevt
~ be heard of again in the politics of tn
, state. You talk about republican faction
in Silver Bow. why. my boy; there are
or solid there. have named the back nun
he beers who are not with us. Mantle is gol
q politically: we all know what Charley Wa
sy rem Isl then there is Irwin and few ham,
ers on. These are all. Now what do "
think these four or five men who contr
let nothing except their own votes amount
in the republican party of Silver Bow coul
ty. Why nothing at all" concluded Il
genial captain, with wave of his hand.