The weekly tribune. [volume] (Great Falls, Mont.) 1891-1894, 1893-04-07
THE WEEKLY TRIBUNE.
THE GAGE OF BATTLE.

1t is a sad disappointment to the dem
ocrats Of this city that the republicans
did not succeed in nominating MIR. Rolfe
for mayor, bat We must stand it, 1t was
doubtless as great "a disappointment to
the aspiring editor as it was to the OPP
posing par ty, and so we shall have to
call it even.
But now the republicans are in the
field. and it betouves the democrats to
be up and doing. The enemy in nomi-
mating Mr.. Burgy has put in the field IA
man Of flesh and blood, and he must be
defeated by the nomination of IA better
and stronger man if such a one is avail
able.
The contest will hinge largely upon
public policy. more largely perhaps than
upon the mere personnel Of the tickets.
The voters OF the city are fully alive to
the situation. They are aware that IA
clean sweep should be made in ali do
partments in order to bring about the
reforms thai are 80 badly needed. They
know that the election Of "a republican
city government will necessarily mean
the retention and perpetuation of an or
der of things that has become distastc-
full 20 all the better elements Of the pop
u~lation. They want the city admins
tratiou reformed. and to bring that about
they are prepared to support the demo
cratic ticket 10y a comfortable majority.
Take, for instance, the police depart
meut. As at present organized it is
simply d partisan machine. To be a
member of the force Il man must be a
republican, and being so he must be at
the beck and call of the leaders to work
at politics, and To lie a good deal more of
a party tool than a public officer. This
will ali be changed by Il democratic ad-
ministration i'arty lines will be wiped
out so far as the force is concerned, and
only the best len sill De retained with
out regard to party. Then we shall have
"A police force tina, will see that laws and
ordinances are respected, in place Of a
gang Of party heelers wearing the city's
uniform, and permitting its laws to be
tramplcd in the mirc.
\ democratic administration will mean
much to the city in the way of retrench-
ment and reform. while ID continuance Of
the republicans in power will have IA
tendency to further prolong the evils
that have been cngendercd 10y their rule.
Suppose that new republican officials are
elected, the slime general control will be
felt, and the saIne undesirable aud injur-
ious conditions will remain. They will
not peach on the crooked or ignorant
methods that have prevailed in any de-
parlment, anu the city wIli be none the
wiser-the tax payers will have nothing
saved to them.
The democratic ticket is not as yet be-
fore the people, but it will toe tomorrow.
The aldermen nominated by this party
in the wards are all men Of high charac-
ter and probity, men who are deserving
OF the confidence and support Of their
%neignbors. With them in the council
there will be nj more W frauds; no
dives that will cause the working men of
this city to make an open protest,
no contracts let without ample bonds
and safeguards tot their proper fulfill
ment.
Elect the democratic ticket, and 80
give your c~ouuteDance' to reform, The
democratic ticket is the citizens ticket
this year.