The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1892-12-02
THE CHOTEAI
CAN|ASSERS
Went Behind the Returns.
Congressman Dixon DenOunCeS Their AC-
ton as Wholly UnWarranted.
His Views Oh the Election, The None.
taTy Conference and Other
Subjects.

Congressman Dixon was passenger |
on Tuesdays casthound train en- route
to Washington, where he will take his |
seat as IA mem Der Of congress, which con- !
venes on Monday next. To a TRIBUNE
reporter Mr. Dixon talked freely of the |
political situation, and referring to the |,
recent election he said:
There is one thing about The recent
election that confess | am at a loss to
understand. and that is the small vote
given to Mr.. Collins in Silver Bow
county IT is uneXpainable to ne.
There is scarcely any difference between
the number of votes he received and the
vote given Kennedy. the populist nomi-
nee. There was something wrong about
the vote IN Silver Bow county. Mr. Col
| lirs was entitled to "A greater vote than
! he received. How the number given
! him was so small, or what led to this
failure to support so worthy gentle
mIn, | cannot understand. Time may
develop what tended to work so strong
! ly against the democratic nominee for
which have been unable TO fathon.'
What do you think of the action of
Choteau county canyassing board in re.
/ iecting the returns from Box Elder:
asked the reporter.
Il think the board exceeded their
rights IN the matter. They were not
there to determine toe legality or the
illegality of the vote. Their duty sim
pl, consisted in making count of the
votes. If the vote Of Box Elder was
regular on its face, they had no authority
whatever to re ject it. The fact that fraud
had been perpctratcd in the precinct.
and the further fact that notice of such
fraud was accompanied 10y a'lidavits, dld
not change the duty Of the men whose
duties are SO clearly defined by law. !
earnestly hope that the vote from Box
Elder precinct will be counted. If frauds
were committed there, and they can toe
proven. there is Il remedy which can be
applied. The democratic party has
been CRYING out against the throwing
ont of the vote OF Precinct "a,
and the argument has been brought to
u
such an action was unwarranted. This
Box Elder case Is an exact parallel to
the case of precinct 81. The democratic
partv cannot afford to sanction such an
act. ! realize that If the act of the
Choteau county canvassiDg board Is ap-
proved by the higher powers that It
means an absolute democratic majority
on Joint ballot in the legislature. and
this means the election Of democratic
senator from Montana. But while ad-
hitting this | contend that the demo-
cratic party Of Montana had better lose
the United States scnatOrehip than TO
send IA man To Washington whose seat is
omen TO question of fraud. The repub
licans did this. and the democratic party
can honor its principles in no better way
than in refusing To sanction proceed
ing such as that Of the Chotcau county
canvassing board.
DO you think action will be taken on
the mineral land bill this coming ses
sion:'
IL am hopeful that there will be legls-
laton on this subject. and that the blli
now on the calendar will become law
1t can be called up. and will exert my
self to have it considered at the earliest
date possible. In its regular order it
would not be- reached before my term
expires. but | am interested in the meas
urc and viii do all that ! car TO secure
prompt and favorable action.
"N hat do sou think of the SILVER stu
atom
Il do not believe that the international
conference now in session will accom-
plish the ends so much desired. There
are too many theories advanced ana the
- l,,., Faro ~ 4,
are SO widely at variance that even "A
compromise would not be ot any mate
rial benefit 1t is true that any change
now could but he for the better. Tn"
propositiou of the Rothschilds 10 make
silver "A purchasable commodity would
. Increase the price. but Montana and
/ Colorado and other silver producing
states want free silver, ! am hopeful
for legislation which will accomplish
, this, but | do not anticipate any benefit
, from the Brussels conference
at has been said that you are cdnd.-
: date for United States senator. is this
, true
Mr. Dixon hcsitated. but for 4 moment
only, and then said, "ies, am candl-
date.
Continuing, he talkcd Of other gentle
men mentioned, and sald among other
, things that he had expected Major Ma
>, ginnis to accompany him to Washing ton
hut that the ma lor was nov engaged N
making out his report as mineral land
{ commissioner In referring to other son.
7 atoria candidates, Mr.. Dixon did not eN
g press anything aside from fricndlyfer
/ ing toward them. lie said I've did not
a think Colonel Word was in the tied toi
. the nomination, even if Chairman Ken
you, of the democratic state centra