The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-03-02
THE SPRING CAMPAIGN.
1t is Early Wire Pulling But
There is no Lack of Candi-
dates,
A Change in the City Government
Seems Desirable for Many
Reasons.
%
t..
n 'er's View Of the Situstlon-A
y # Names to Choose
trom.
While ther,

tlftduY peHunt tnOugn none OF lne
names proposed have thus far excited any
particular interest. The most significant
phase Of the campaign was developed in the
democratic meeting held in the court house
1n the evening the Legislature adjourned.
There was unanimity Of expression TINT
the city was in great need of a change in
The municipal government. While no par
ticular charges were made there was
evidence of n belief that municipal
affairs had beon very badly managed
during the last few years. All of the speak
ers Oh that evening denounced with great
emphasis the methods by which money had
been wasted and the city's work poorly per-
formed. Brief talks with business men
show that the opinions quoted arc by no
means confined to the gentlemen who e,-
pressed themselves AZ the meeting. There
hae been some general talk of n citizens
ticket, but there is no probability that this
will be arranged. There is little doubt that
the republicans will nominate n straight
party ticket. The democrats will do the
same. and if the sentiments of the leaders
indicate the general party feeling, the ticket
will be made up of the best
and most available men. IL this
is done then is little doubt of Il democratic
The time is ripe for change in the
city government. II the democrats avail
themselves of the opportunity offered they
will md way TO surprising party VIC
tory.
Discussion as to the availability of Ger
tain candidates is already under way though
none of the men mentioned have entered
on pronounced canvass for municipal hon
ors. Mayor Fuller is emphatic in his refusal
TO again head the republican city ticket.
He finds that two years of the mayoralty is
enough for him. sit is thankless office at
the best he said ''and | do not want any
more of it," Concerning the city affairs
the mayor said: Great improvements in
the city have been made during the
last few years and others will como
in time. The leading question now IS
the paving of Main street. II has been
talked of for good while, but matters
seem TO be taking shape now. think Main
street will be paved before September, and
| think gra ite is the best and most durable
material for that purpose. After this thor
oughfare is paved attention should be given
10 paving the side streets. The water ques-
ton is always matter for discussion. The
water question has been satisforily arranged
for the present time. but If the city should
grow to a population of 10000 or 10000 peo-
pie the supply will be totally inadequate.
The city will then have TO have water sup
ply Of its own, II is u tritie early TO talk
about candidates for the spring election.
have heard several names mentioned, but
that Is all. | presume the campaign will
open in earnest within week or ten DAYS.
The only names mentioned in connection
with the republican nominations for the
are r. II. Kleinschmidi.
Joseph Davis. DIR. C.. X. Cole
and Moses Morris. Mr.. Kleinschmidt
does not think he would take the
nomination, though he believes that there
are some things in the city government open
to criticism. He talked very freely over the
matter, saying among other things: "The
city now has floating indebtednessof of S70,-
900. This should not exist. The expenses
of this city should be kept within its in
come and il can be easily done il the mu.
nicipal government IL economically admin
istered. The next mayor will be bandi-
capped by this debt in the administration
of his public duties. IL improvements are
to be made they must be made
by the property owners who will
be benefited. Is not this better
than running the city in debt when there is
not money enough 10 pay for these thingsg
This debt should be taken up as speedily az
possible. The city government should be
run on business basis as well as other
foIRls of business. The mayor. when the
Necessity demands il, should leave his chair
and discuss matters openly III the council.
and be should keep watchful eye over the
city affairs. / found that the duties of the
mayoralty could he attended 10 without
any Inconvenience to my business, Con
cerning recent Improvements, think that
the paving of Main street is an excellent
feature, but the expense should be borne
by owners according to the frontage
of their property on the street.
The water question was not settled entirely
TO my satisfaction, but the water is good
and the supply is adequate for years 10
come. Some things have been done that
should be condemned. The street railway
tracks should receive attention. The rails
are too high from the street and there is no
grading about them. Al several places this
is great nuisance. Several accidents have
resulted when teams were driven over these
rails. The city gave up privilege when il
gave the company the right 90 use the
streets and that right should be properly
treated. ] have lived in Helena since lsGI
and am greatly interested IN Its prosperity.
For that reason have great interest in tie
proper maintenance Of the city govern
ment.
DR.. Cole is understood 10 be Indifferent
over the matter while Mr.. Morris
is said 90 be anxious for the
II he fails TO get 1t be
NAV run for alderman in the
fourth ward in the place Of Alderman
Klein who goes out. But Mr.. Klein may
decide TO make q race for the nomination.
In that event there will be fun among the
republicans in the fourth. IL is not inn
probable that the republican candidate for
mayor will be some man not yet mentioned.
There is n dearth Of candidates on the
republican side while many names have
been mentioned for the democratic
nomination. Among them are The
following: A. j. Davidson, Jacob Loeb.
Marcus LissneT, John Worth, William Muth,
w. +. Cox, William Wallace. Jr., and Don
aid Bradford. Nr. Worth said last evening
that he wns not candidate for the honor,
but on the other hand he is reported 90 be
seeking the nomination. The grent victory
he scored in m aldermanic race few years
ago has not been forgotten. Mr.. Loeb
would like the nomination, and neither Mr..
Lissner or Mr.. Davidson would refuse Il, for
the chances Of electing a democratic mayor
are unusually good. There is an impression
that the most available man would be
hustling young democrat. A prominent
Young democratic politician recently said:
Il would like 10 see the nomination 20 10
such man as Donald Bradford or Repre-
sentative Wallace or any other popular
Young man. / believe either of tho gentle
men could be elected by q handsome ma