Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1893-01-12
The LEGISLATIVE SITUATION.

Although the legislative situation is
not as bad as it was three years ago
not quite, it is still very far from what
either of the political parties would
like, though the Populists are just in
their element, for with only three mem
hers of the house they are in position
to dictate terms, and are using their
powers in the most approved (?) style.
With A. j. Davidson, II Democratic
memJer from Lewis and Clarke county,
too i'll to attend the meetings of the
house, and the Leech-Hamilton case
from Choteau u~ndisposed of, and
neither of the men being admitted to
seats in the house, the Democrats and
the Republicans each have twenty-five
members of that body. In that condi-
ton of affairs, the stock of the Popu-
lists has gone away up, and they have
secured the majority Of the best posi-
tions in the organization of the house,
which was accomplished by IA fusion Of
the Populist and Democrat members,
the speakership and the more import
ant OF the other offices being given to
the populists, in part payment for their
valuable assistance in that regard. The
Choteau county contest case has been
referred TO the committee ON elections,
of which B~eecher, the Populist member
from Cascade. is chairman, ard the
other four members Of the committee
are taken equally from the other two
parties. As Beecher has declared him
self a Democrat, practically, the report
Of the committee will undoubtedly be
in favor of Hamilton, the Democrat,
for the Democrats need that seat, and
Beecher is willing that they should
have it. However, with the recovery
of Davidson and the seating of Hamil-
ton the Democrats will still lack one OF
having a majority, and the great Peo-
pies party will still hold the top hand.
But, it is by no means certain that all
of the populists, or even a majority of
them, will vote to seat Hamilton, first,
because Leech has the better title, and
second, such a vote on their part would
have II tendency to weaken their inliu-
seated, the Republicans and Democrats
would be equally divided.
In the senate the Democrats have two
majority, 50 thai il the tvs preduIni-
nnnt parties remain equally divided i'll
he house the Popu!ist menibers of the
house would be i'll position To dictate
upon United States senator; and this Is
another reason why it is uncertain
about the PopulIsls favoring the seating
IF Hamilton, for with Hamilton seated
the democrats will have a clear major
ity upon joint ballot, and that is not in
keeping with the Popalist idea Of the
fitness of things. The end is not yet,
so far as the senatorial question is con
cerned, and We predict that the Popu-
list members of the house, in whose
hands the whole matter lies, will so ar
range things as to occupy the com
manding position they now hold.
The leading senatorial aspirants now
in the field, are Ex-Governor Samuel l..
Hnuser, William w. Dixon, VI. C., w.
A. Clark, L. f. Collins, Oh the Demo-
cratic side, while the Republicans seem
to be practically united upon senator
saunders, though there ale other can
didates in the field. II, as we predict,
The Populists continue To hold the bal
tnce of power it is quite probable that
none of the leading men now in the
field will be chosen, as none of them
quite meet the Populist ideas of a
statesman. When the time comes 10
make a choice, the plum is quite as
likely TO fall to a Republican as a Dem
Ocrat.