The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1890-08-24

DAILY NDEE GN1I
SILVER BOW POLITICS.
BUTTE. Aug. 23.-[special.] lit is gener-
ally recognized among politicians of both
parties that Silver Bow is the pivotal
county in the coming election. All leaders
say that the party carrying Silver Bow by
anything like a pronounced majority Will
win the victory beyond doubt. As natu-
raj consequence that county is now, as 1t
always has been, the political hotbed OF the
state. It has more really doubtful voters,
more aggressive leaders of all classes and
more politiesa interest than any county in
the state. As heretofore, the leading ques-
ton on election night will be, "How has
Silver Bow gone?'' When this is ascer-
tanned the result of the election will be
well settled. In order to ascertain the stu
alton in this critical district visited Butte
this week to gather all the facts and gossip
within reach.
At this distance there seemed scarcely
doubt as to the result in Silver Bow county.
A0 lAdtt0I6 0b0Uu UOW tA0 ASAVSA0oAS FS'~SJ
is united to man and the republicans are
torn by the bitterest fractional fight known
in the history of the state. Moreover, as
Gen. Warren recently remarked, it will be
fight to the finish. He advised the Couch
men to put on their war paint if they
wanted fight and come on. Capt. Couch
said to group of gentlemen the other
morning that his friends had already put
their war paint on and would give the other
side just as much fight as they wanted.
The war will begin in the primaries and
will be carried into the state convention. II
a member of either factions is nominated
for congress he will be so badly knitted by
the other side that his presence in the race
will be forgotten before the votes are
counted.
No one can fairly judge of the deep-seated
hatred between these factions until both
sides are heard. In times past it was Gus
tomary to bury the Ratchet in this city on
election day, but matters will be different
this year if candidates are chosen on either
side for congressman or state senator. The
line could not be more closely drawn in the
party than now. Every voter is Couch or
a Mantle man and every other one is poll
ticiar this year. An illustration of the
feeling is remark made by Couch last fall
to a we'll known democratic leader. He
said that if he knew a single republican
for the legislature who would vote
for Mantle he would spend barrel of
money to beat him.
The hatred on the other side is no less.
Charley Warren tells me that the fight will
be carried right into COUGHS camp and that
the Mantle men will mop the earth with the
Couch crowd at the primaries and in the
convention. George Irwin, who is paying
more attention to mining than to politics at
this time, says the Couch fellows will have
such shaking up as they never dreamed of.
Editor John Read does not say much, but
as is noticed from day to day his facile pen
is moving with dangerous rapidity. Proba-
bly, the loudest talker and the man with the
least influence is Captain Lyons. He may
be useful to Mantle in some ways, but his
value to the republican party is matter
for speculation. His presence in Helena
during the senatorial campaign will be re-
membered. He abused the anti-Mantle
representatives from Silver Bow county
from morning until night with the excep-
ton of one day, which he passed in laying
for fight with Hamilton, the would-be dis
trict judge. By the way, the republicans
on all sides have it in for Hamilton because
they imagine he sold out the judgeship'
Thus far they have presented no proof OF
this interesting theory.
1t is difficult to determine the relative
siren 9Th of the republican factions in Silver
Bow county. The Mantle men have the
politicians and many of the voters, particu-
larly the doubtful ones. Mr.. Mantle him
self has many qualities of leadership. He
is brainy man, a keen politician, and il
popular with his friends. He lacks the
aggressiveness of Gen. Warren, but Is re-
garded as remarkably smooth. Mantle is
also the object of more hatred from the
other wing than any republican or demo-
GRAFT in the state, though this is largely the
result of the Inter Mountains editorial
columns. Mantle has reached his political
status through will force and his success in
business way. understand that he is
waiting for the next United States senator
ship, though he has by no means recovered
from the bitterness of defeat. am told
that he shows less enthusiasm this fall
than ever before. Gen. Charles s. Warren
is the king Doe of political fighters in the
republican party of this state. He knows
no compromise when he is after his enc
mics, and he is after them this fall. Max
ing proper allowance for the generals lib
eral use of language he comes pretty near
meaning what he says. He can dress q
man down in conversation better than
any politician in the state and
he knows where to find votes
The long political experience of these gen
tlemen enables them to 20 into convention
we'll equipped in parliamentary way.
When it comes down to proposition OF
votes they are compelled to admit the
strength of Couch. They credit him with
the ability of handling 600 Meaderville re-
publican votes and no more.
Captain Couch has heretofore been re-
garded tyro in politics. His rapid rise il
fortune and influence have given him ,
place smong party leaders because he car
control votes. Il is not necessary to So.
that this is an important requisite in Silve
Bow politics. Couch and Mantle were ono
very good friends until they separated ove
business proposition. Since then the,
have been opposing each other with all tn
resources at their command. Couch ha
some very good lieutenants. There is Bray