The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1892-04-03
For Good Government and Fair Play.

To The INDEPENDENT: Tomorrow the
electors Of this city are to choose CITY Off
GERS. 1t is a striking commentary upon
the condition of the politics of this city
that the question presented TO the Thought
full voter who has republican leanings. but
who exercises Judgment in casting his bal
lot, turns, not upon ths relative capahili-
ties of the two candidates heading the re-
spective party tickets, but upon their char
aoter for cleanness and uprightnsss IN pub
lilo positions, in which comparison the re-
publican candidate is proved to be at a
serious disadvantage. 1t il a melancholy
fact that the managers OF the republican
party in this CITY had 80 low an opinion OF
the rest of their party az to consider pOllt-
ical honor a needless qualification in the
candidate they selected as their standard
bearer.
The republican party has always proudly
assumed to itself Il monopoly Of the virtues
of honor and honesty in politics; but what
il found in this city to-day? Lot the Jour
nal, the candidates and the ward workers
saw what they will, thors is a serious dis
affection INC rupture in that party hare. on
account of the lack of those very virtues in
their leader and his henchmon. The two
questions thas are weighed, in foreoasting
the result of to-morrow's election are: How
many decent republicans has the conduct
of e. H. Kleinschmidt n his associates,
in their political methods, disgusted2 Win
the latter be able to seoure a large enough
commercial volts to offset them? Every
man has a more or less strong party feeling
and the party lash is also 81 spilled. and by
this very man, who himself, by his studied
neglect of his duty to his party, while a
prominent officer of the republican county
committee, did much to defeat the repub-
lionn ticket in the fall of 1889.
THE INDEPENDENT has taken strong
grounds for %cleanness in political methods
and management, and this letter il written
to urge upon all good citizens an earnest
seconding of that position. both by infu-
enoe and by action. There are numerous
reports OF the free use Of money already
and the anticipated use of large sums be-
fore tomorrow evening. Let avery decent
citizen constitute himself a guardian Of our
city's honor, and of the value and sacred-
ness of his " vote. Instead of being
weakly blind to fraud perpetrated in his
presence or within his knowledge, lot him
be wide awake to it, and gather every posi-
ers to punishment, be they democrats or
republicans. The time is ripe and the COCA
sion is opportune for the formation of such
Law and Order society" as exists in
most large cities, whose members exert
themselves Regardless Of party to 50,
politics by a vigorous enforcement of the
laws. If fraud is perpetratsd at the COM
ing election, it will be easy to form such an
organization among our best cltizens; and,
il the facts are secured, as they easily may
be, if the fraud is gross. the influence and
money will be forthcoming to have the
guilty punished. Make them fear the
righteous Indignation of good citizens!
Make them hide their dirty work. il We can
not entirely stop it! Be vigilant and watch
full. Think of the disgrace to our form of
government and to your v selves, that GU
vote conscientiously cast should be rem
de, ed worthless by the oheaply purchased
crime of the bum and rounder, thai it may
place his companion in crime. his briber, in
some position of honor and trust over you.
A.. RTprRrrrAN.