The Helena independent. [volume] (Helena, Mont.) 1875-1943, 1894-03-30
POLITICS Nrn.us nu.INEss.

BY the nomination Of lawyer and pol
itician, Z. d. Weed. the manipulators
Of yesterdays convention deliberately
ignored the demands Of the business
community and sacrificed the local wei
fare on the ,ltar Of partisan politics and
personal ambitions. The demands Of
the better sentiment OF the community
were clear and unmistakable, the right
way was so plain that none but the vii.
fully blind could fail 70 take it, yet a
majority OF the delegates majority Of
differentiated themselves to be led
astray. 1t was a case Of the blind lead
ing the blind. Good solid business men
like Thomas Gilchrist, Peter Winnie,
Fred Gamer and r. c, Wallace were
showed aside, and a man Of no practical
experience, no knowledge Of city affairs,
untred il any executive capacity, Was
nominated for the char now held by
John c. Curtin
Mr.. Weed is an smiable well-man-
nered young gentleman Of very digni-
fed bearing aud good appearance, whose
sole recommendation for the office Is his
oratory Of the band wagon sort. As for
the rest, Mr.. Weed is ssven-days-in-
the-week politician. In the mayors
chair he would make the municipal pat
ronage simply foot ball and would
play it at every point for party advsn-
tage. We haven't the least idea that
the people are going TO hand their az
fairs over TO him at this crisis In flush
times when money was plentiful, and
the people we're careless about the cost,
and unheeding the reckoning. Lis per-
sonal qualities might have won success
But a grave situation now confronts US
and other and better qualities are de-
manded in the incumbent Of this office.
Unless bus supporters can show that
Mr.. Weed possesses qualifications that
he has not yet manifested no Will make
a very weak candidate.
We recall but one occasion during
Mr.. Weeds residence IN tie city in
which he took any part in matters Of
municipal concern. That was last sum
mer when he was one of the signers to a
petition 10 the city council asking that
the pay Of policemen be reduced TO SG5
month, payable in depreoiated war
rants. This coming from gentleman
then enjoying $1,000 salary in a fat
federal office, did not particularly COM
mend the gentleman's consistency 70 the
wage earuers u this town. We observe
that Mr. Weed when he wrapped the
American flag about him yesterday and
gave us reminders Of the Fourth Of
July, declared himself 10 favor % giving
municipal employment 20 labor We
hope he will take occasion % explain
during the canvass. that be does not
mean Chinese labor, as hIs ideas regard
ing tho proper compensation u police
men would seem 10 imply. But Mr.
Weed is totally IMMERSED m business
matters, and perhaps 1t is unfair 10
hold him 20 account Tor acts COMM tilted
through ignorance. Touching other
aspects o. Mr. Weeds candidacy we
shall have something 10 say later
Tho platform u the convention is a
precious piece Of demagoguery. as out u
place in d municipal contest as the can
didate who heads the @ oket. Men who
could make such an appeal 70 a bust
ness community, at time like this
either have q mighty poor opinion o. the
intelligence Of tho people, or no ideas
on municipal management that arc
worth putting on paper. Unable q ina
peach 40 a single point the splendid
business administration Of affairs foi
the past two years, the REGULATIONS ap-