The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-09-26
YELLOWSTONE POLITICS
Carter Has Certainly Made . Bad
Mess Out Of Crow Reserva-
ton Affairs.
How the Sheep Men Have Been
Forced to Submit to
Outrages.

Outrages.
ccrniag Candidates Bright Out
look for Democrats.
BILL1Nos, Sept. 25-[Special. The po-
litical prophet in looking about for signs Of
the times will find no better field for inter-
esting observation than Yellowstone coun.
ty. He will find the usual personal and
party differences incident to tho politics Of
any county in the state, but he will be first
informed of what is undoubtedly the only
definite and the most important local issue
of the campaign. It is the only subject
discussed by politicians and is said by all
to be the hinge ON which the election in
this county will swing. Party lines may not
be altogether broken, but there are enough
independent and interested voters in the
county to make a very serious difference in
the result. If they vote as they talk, Con-
gresham Carter will find that his failure to
protect the interests Of sheep men has not
been overlooked.
10 begin with. the county has heretofore
been staunchly republican, and in the alb
sence of issues an election would probably
show heavy republican majority in COM
paratively small vote. Carter's majority
last year was 15O in vote OF something
over 700, while Senator Babcock' popularity
carried his majority to nearly 200 on the
same basis. Three years ago the democrats
made great clean up of the county offices,
o~1~ III ~G
at the present iime George NJ. Hayes. the
genial clerk Of the district corrt, is the
only democratic county officer, End he
was elected by scratch last fall.
This situation is largely the result of vieor-
GUS and aggressive election work ON the
part Of republicans. Last fall, for instance,
they spent everv available dollar and left
stone unturned to register every +. r.publican
and every doubtful voter. Their campaign
fund was larger and they found more men
willing to work. If it was necessary to
register sheep herder in remote corner
OF the county ne was BROUGHT to he regis
tratlon office and n.an was sent to do his
work in his absence. The consequence wasa
republican vote much larger than it would
have been rnder ordinary conditions. This
year matters will be different. There ID q
break in the republican ranks in this city
on ocai issues and party methods, while In
the surrounding country will be found
many republicans who will vote the demo-
cratic ticket. The local row began in the
primariesa few weeks ago and was the re-
suit of opposition to the Canadian English
faction of the party, which is led by Charles
+. Burton. the city treasurer, and q man of
some political influence. There are per-
laps fifty voters in this wing of the party.
As was customary and as had been previ-
ously annor need the primaries were to re-
main open until eight p. m. The other fell
lows got CT ntrol of the organization and
closed the primaries before Mr.. Burton's
men could do anything. The result was
bitter row between the factions which has
only partially subsidized. For the purpose
Of placating the Burton hen the registra-
lion officer in this city was discharged
and Henry 3urton, the leaders, brother,
was given the Office at S. per day. am
told that this bit of policy will not have
altogether the desired effect and that many
Of the Canadian Englishmen will vote tho
democratic ticket. In a vote Of 700 these
men will cut something of figure. Tie
democrats on the other hand are strongly
anited and will fight hard to make the
,ounty democratic. Judge Campbell, the
,halrman of the county central committee
% an aggressive leader while other party
eaders ikeJ. Il. Conrad and George Hayes
will assist in conducting what will be the
best campaign ever put up by the Yellow
stone democrats. Their nominee for son.
ator, +. 8. Tut, is a strong man and will
be elected. He is prosperous
ranch owner and has many interests identi-
led with those Of other residents Of that
,ounty. He will make personal canvas of
he entire county and will draw many re-
publican votes. His opponent, O. F.
iodard. is in some respects strong and in
,thers weak. He is ono of the best known
awyers in eastern Montana, sHd is re-
pected for his ability. His practice ID
lmost wholly in the interest of corpora
ions, a matter of::some considerable inter-
81 to the laboring men of the county. He
} council for the Northern Pacific
abroad, the First National bank
Billings, and other corporations,
nd III this position he has antagonized
lany voters. Babcock could have had
if he had wanted it. This he
ould not take unless it could be made
which was out of the question.
learn that several republicans at the con.
sntion were opposed to his nomination be-
.use they thought he was responsible for
enator Becker's escape" last winter. II
ill be remembered that Bah was sent to
ladow Becker's movements at The Helena
a the evening Of the Dawson county sens-
'r's departure. 1t ia also said here ON
1thority that Babcock was afraid to take
s chances for q reelection as matters
oked at the time of convention. He will ;.
'rtainly take no active interest in the
ImpaiRn this fall. He told me that while
, could have had denomination, he
ould not accept it because of his large and
Itensive business interests. He has stores
!; Billings, Livingston. Castle and Red
odge. and says that he cannot afford TO
We his time to legislative matters, particu-
l'y if the situation is deadlock. He
il, spend the winter in California. I am
iii that he is looking for congressional
,nors in the course of few years, as he
ls accumulated money enough
afford politics if he has liking for
at sort of recreation. In connection With
is it may be definitely stated that the re-.
lblican leaders of eastern Montana will
sist ON the choice of q candidate from
-