The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1891-04-13
BUTTE CITY ELECTION.
Blunder Of the Republican Com
mittee Makes Plain Sailing for
One Democrat.
Harmony Of the Republicans Is
That Which Comes Of
Apathy.
Indications OF = Sweeping Democratic
Victory In tho Smoky City Over
tho Range To-Day.

BurTE. April. 11.-lSpeciai. 1.-The week
just closing has been one of peculiar inter
est to several classes of Butte's citizens.
To some would-be oficeholders it has
brought disappointment and disgust, to
others a great deal of doubt aud anxiety,
and to all depleted pocketbooks. To po-
litical buns and parasites it has been a
picnic, and to saloon keepers a golden har-
vest. And the occasion for it all is the CITY
election. which will occur on Monday. The
democrats held their convention Tuesday,
April Z, and to all appearances there was no
serious objection to tho result. But there
are some men whose chief ambition in life
10 to serve the dear people in some Office to
which is attached a very small modioum of
labor and a very large salary. There
CHANGED to be such men in the
democratic convention. Some of them
got hopelessly lost in the shuttle.
The consequence was they felt like kick
ing somebody, and very naturally they pro-
ceeded TO kick the fellow who successfully
opposed them. There are several of the
kickers. but only one has COM out openly
in his attempt to defeat his successful
rival. Th office of police magistrate, while
a necessary one, comes as near being "A
sinecure as any in the city, and has a snug
salary attached to it besides. For a gen
tleman of sedentarv habits and phlegmatic
temperament it is a very desirable position
and naturally many aspired thereto. Four
names were placed in nomination for the
candidacy and Rod. Ronayne got a major
ity of the votes cast and was declared the
nominee.
George W. Nenkirk is the present incum-
of the office. Failing to get the nomi-
nation he announced himself an an indie
pendent candidate. What influence was
brought to bear on him is not known
but after remaining in the field about
twelve or fourteen hours he withdrew as
suddenly as he entered. Outside of this,
harmony prevails in. the democratic ranks,
and there does not seem to be any reason
why the democratic ticket should not make
a clean sweep on Monday.
The republican convention was hold on
Wednesday, and if, as they are pleased to
claim, it was a more harmonious body than
the one which met in the same hall on the
preceding day, tho republicans are welcome
to all the comfort they can get from it. 1t
was the harmony which springs from apa-
thy. Eight prominent republicans were
city, and eight prominent repub-
leans politely but firmly declined.
At last w. McC. White accepted the
nomination under protest, and in less than
two hours after the convention adjourned
it was discovered that he was not eligible,
and the same evening he rendered his resig-
nation. The next morning the central
committee canvassed the town, and chanc-
ing to run across Chas. j. Stevenson he was
offered the nomination and gladly accepted
it. So they have a candidate for mayor,
and Mr.. Stevenson will probably answer for
a figure head as we'll as another. In the
other candidates the republicans were but
little more successful. In two of the wards
they nominated men for aldermen who
were not eligible, and in the Second ward,
which is good for 100 republican majority
any time, they are now without a candidate.
The time for qualifying expired last
night at Il o'clock, and through the
stupidity of some of the gentlemen
who was appointed by the central commit
tee, failed to show up. Judge Lippincott
was storming around town when he learned
the situation, and said that was what they
got by letting a nonentity like Eddie Booth
manage affairs which should be looked after
by men.
Yes, there is harmony in the republican
ranks, lots of it, and occasionally it breaks
out in the most unexpected places. But,
with all their harmony, their name is Den
mis- when it comes to election day in Butte.