The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-10-18
The Voters Of That County are
Alive to tho Issues Of the
Day.
8. r. Buford 10 Regarded a. an
Almost Sure Winner for
Senator.
Tom Carter May Rossibiy Carry the CsansY
but His Majority win be vssy
Small.

ulation Of Montana at that time, was demo-
cratic by good round majority. Since
then conditions have changed and maiori-
ties have been scattered though old Virginia
holds to her old faith. This year she will
| show vigorous revival of strength and nut
mp substantial democratic majority. Gov
ernor Toole carried the city last October
with seven votes to spare. while Major Md
ginnis had majority Of four. A survey
seems to show beyond doubt that there will
be democratic gains all over the county
though it is not probable that the vote will
be increased to an appreciable extent. Ia
some sections it may fall OF. At the last
election Pony was lively camp with 4 rood
manv miners working on properties il chat
vicinity. Since then work has been stopped
and the town IL now very quiet. MaRinnis
had majority Of six in that precinct, and
1t will probably again 60 democratic, though
the republicans are claiming ii by from At
teen to thirty majority. They conoAde
majority to the democrats at He'd BluA a.
we'll as in several OF the twenty-four pre-
cincts Of the county. Sheridan Ii the
strongest republican precinct in the county,
the majority there running from forty to
hfty each year. This will be decid-
eddy cut down this year az the
farmers are awakening to the fact
that the Mckinley bill is 4 very
bad measure for their interests. They are
learning that the merchants are preparing
to raise prices in nearly all lines affected
BY the new schedule and are inquiring the
cause. This sentiment is growing among
farmers all through the Ruby valley and
their disapproval will be expressed At tho
various precincts along tho river. Thu
miners at Pony, Red Bluff and Virginia are
pretty thoroughly acquainted with Con-
gresham Carter'a silver record. The sud-
den rise In the value Of the metal fot tin,o
4cAnsed sthemA oshslassps AkE6f H. rarahllcan
party was the miners only friend and that
Carter was the biggest statesman in the
land. Since then they have learned that
his influence defeated the free coinage
measure which would have placed silver at
1.29 and the result is general disposition
to turn him down next month. The hoat-
ing vote of Madison county is very small
while the entire vote will doubtless not be
far from that Of last year, 1,409. The pop
ulation of the county does not change to
any extent, SO that it 10 not difficult to pre-
dict within one hundred what the ma ajorities
will be. Many Of the democratic leaders
think that Dixon will carry the county BY
scratch. though this is hardly to be expect-
ed in county that gave Carter seventy
nine majority last year. II 10 not wholly
however, and II 10 positively
certain that should Carter carry the county
his majority will be less than half Of that
a year ago. Judge Dixon is immensely
popular in this county and particularly in
Virginia City where he has many warm
personal friends among the old timers. His
reputation as lawyer of commanding
ability and his high character az citizen
are known even in the remotest precincts
of the county. Several of the leading re-
pukilcans Of Virginia told me that Dixon
was by far the strongest democratic candi-
date that could have been named, and I
learn that these same leaders will not make
a very determined fight against him. The
difference between soundness and slipperi-
ness seems to be pretty we'll understood in
this county. Madison 10 possibly the only
county in the state in which Carter did not
make several promises Of local interest,
The citizens know, however, that his record
is series of unfnlilled promises for other
communities, while his failure to protect
the silver interest is regarded na tho most
striking feature Of his brief congressional
career.
The greatest ioce! interest Of the cam
paian centers in the senatorial election. The
candidate is Hon. SimeonR. Bu-
'ord Of Virginia. his republican opponent is
George W. Burns, ranchman living near
Enness At this time Mr.. Buford's election
q regarded as more than reasonably certain
lespite tho usual republican majority in
he county: republicans as we'll az DEM
'crats realize that he is by far bcst fitted
OF senatorial duties. though Burns IL
lilown az good citizen. Mr.. Buford, or
Sim" AZ he is best known to all Madison.
ans, came to Virginia City twenty-five
ears ago and has resided here sinco that
ime. He was first q freighte- and after
Yards clerk in big mercantile estah-
ishment in the palmy days Of the town.
Then as he prospered he became the
read Of s. b. Buford q Co., the best known
Irm IN Madison county. He has proap red
n worldly matters and is now ono of the
wealthy men of Madison county. But WITH
lis rise in lifo he has never lost popularity
vith tho citizens Of the community. In
A0 OA0 00yo "a ehO kNAoA NO was SSA4AA
3uford, with the thousands OF miners and
o-day he is ''Sim'' Buford still, though tho
population has almost wholly changed. Il
9 very common saying in Virginia that
10 man, however poor, went to his store for
roods without getting what he wanted. He
9 ono Of the biggest hoarted, as we'll
% the brainiest mar in Mndi-
on. and his friends ara found
a all corners OF tho county.
1e has always been leader IN matters per-
aiming 10 the welfare of the community,
nd has several times enjoyed the econi-
lence OF the citizens in way Of ofaoeA He
las been mayor Of Virginia, and for Aftosn,
ears has been an alderman Of the city.
Ie vas member Of the constitutional con-
ention, when he made reputation ann0n9 :
cher able men for cous:ientous work u
be proceedinRs Of that body. Hin industry
nd faithful attention formed COMMON
ubjeet Of talk when the work Of di1otent
1onbers vas rsviswed. He vas q stAe
loss. important eomuit1oa and s
/.