The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-05
THE WEATHER.
THE People HAVE SPOKEN.

THE HAVE
What does it all mean?
First of all that the integrity Of Hell
n among other cities shall be main
tanned. The citizens have placed their
seal on this by the unprecedented ma
jority of more than five hundred votes
for a mayoralty candidate. They have
said that this young and promising city
shall be honestly governed; they have
fought for good government and have
won. They have emphasized opinions
in a way hat precludes all mistakes as
to their meaning. Officers, elected or
appointed, must henceforth do their
duty, and notice has been served that
no man need apply for municipal honors
if he proposes to barter the duties of his
office for the uncertain political infu-
ence Of any element.
It was not a personal defeat for Mayor
Kleinschmidt. The residents Of this
city, old and new, know him as a public
spirited and honorable man, successful
in business and always ready to promote
the interests of the city which has often
honored him for good reasons. They
defeated him yesterday to prevent the
possible continuance of influences sur
rounding his office during the past year.
They knew certain people had enjoyed
certain emoluments and they deter
mined that these should cease. Tc
reach this result they voted for John G
Curtin and elected him by a remarkable
majority. The meaning is that the laws
of Montana shall he held to the ODE.
dience of all citizens, and when the laws
are disobeyed the people will elect mon
who can be trusted. ~"" "@
There is a law in this state which per
mits gambling under certain %restric-
tions. Men who obey these laws, who
pay their licenses are entitled to all the
protection which the law gives. Their
complaints against othera who rob peo-
pie by various unlawful devices should
receive attention from officers of the
law. Since the last city election this
law-breaklng element has sought for
control in municipal offices. They have
had pretty free run under the present
administration, and they have sought to
retain their sway. The appearance OF
this new force in politics has
called for remedies, which the
~law-abiding people of Helena
administered yesterday in allo-
pathic doses. They swept the present
administration from power by eleoting
new mayor and a majority of aldermen
1t was a salutary lesson to the sure.
thing people. Henceforth they must
retire, not only from politics, because
no candidate can afford to have such
backing, but they must also retire from
business. There will be no more prime
ministers Of this city from the sure
thing gang Of the 'sirloin" precinct.
The sentiment expressed yesterday
will rule until a mighty change comes
over the people of Helena. The ole
timers who gave their pluck and conf.
dence to the growth of the city in Las
Chance gulch intended that justice
should be the watchword, and the.
knew the meaning Of tho word. TIL
newcomers are with them. Municipa
r%ottenness shall be kept from the records
of Helena SO long as people speak al
they did yesterday and the sure-thin1
game will be first served.
THE INDEPENDENT will be pardonee
if it appropriates part of the credit TO.
yesterdays victory. 1t made the fight
on issues alone, and it used no cowardl,
weapons. 1t did not strike below thu
belt at any time by making Il campaign
Of personalities. 1t struck squarely a
municipal evils of public notoriety, anc
it backed every assertion with facts
The citizens Of Helena fought on tn,
same line and now the victors mus
show themselves worthy of trust. I
they fail the same fight will be mad,
again.
MIR. CURTIN, U COMPLIMENTS.