Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1894-12-13
O

As the time approaches for the con-
vening of the state legislature interest
is being conferred in the senatorial con-
test. There are quite q number of can-
didates who would like to do the state
some service" at Washington and who
imagine they Ipossess the ability to
shine in b e"American house of lords"
They believe, also, that they are en-
titled to the honor and have sufficient
strength to win the prize.
The ambition to become q United
States senator is an excusable one, but
personal desire and ambition should
have but little force with those who
are to choose . representative for the
whole people and ven strong friend
ships should not weigh against party
interests and the welfare of the state.
The promotion Of one mans political
fortunes il of little to the
masses.
The aim Of the Republicans of the
coming legislature should he to choose
strong and able men. those who would
reflect credit upon the party and state
when they get into harness at Washing
ton. The high office should not be
used to pay some local obligation. Of
which there is great danger. Men have
been mentioned in connection with the
senstorship who are hardly known out
side of their W counties and who
would cut about as much figure as a
page in the United States senate. Such
men are over-reaching themselves and
should be content with an humble place
in the ranks of the party.
1t is not necessary that Montsna's
senators should be brilliant orators or
even lawyers. Toe much of the valu-
able time of congress is taken up by
speech-making. But it is important
that we have workers at Washington,
men who possess the energy. influence
and ability to press the needs of this
young state, and who will give atten-
ton to the requests of the humblest Of
our citizens. We want no man who
considers it an element Of superiority
to be able to tell a good story on the
curbstone o r feels his greatness because
he has some knowledge Of constitu'
tional law.
A federal senator not only represents
his own state, but very often the whole
United States and when we consider
that it is only by ability and long ser
vice that q man can attain national i'm
portsnce, the election of United States
senators should not be considered q
trivial affair.
II man has been tested and proven
himself able and faithful at all times
his claims should have weight with his
party. In this view of the situation
we do not hesitate to say that Hon. T
e.. Power has we'll earned a reelection
10 a sea in the United States senate
Like Hon. Chas. s. Hartman, who has
been returned to congress by a hand
some plurality, Mr. Power has worked
untiringly for the interests of Montans
and the northwest. Being a shrewd
~sagacious man of affairs, he never over
looked details or shrank from work ir
the committee room. He has giver
prompt attention to the correspond.
ence of his constituency and made theil
cause his own in securing legislation
With other senators and representa-
tives from the mountain states he was
instrumental in securing legislation fol
settlers and miners that will aid them
in tiding over the hard times. Mr.
Power has taken u firm stand for free
coinage of silver and for protection or
wool, his speech on the latter subject
neal the close of the last session, being
one of the strongest arguments for pro
lection made in congress.
For the past two years. Mr.. Power
like other Republican senator's. ha:
had to contend against Democratic op
position to all measures of Republican
origin, hence he was unable to accom-
plish as much as he would had his owr
party been in power in both houses
But MIR. Power has done as well n
any man could have done under the
circumstances.
Mr.. Power is interested in nearly al
of the industries OF the state, hence
has no special hobby to advance to
the neglect of others interest, or nc
personal ak to grind. We do not be
lieve that wealth alone should be al
the passport necessary for a seat in
The United States senate, and were cog
nize the danger of its growing influence
and predominance there. However, g
man should not be condemned because
he has accumulated some property, il
he has demonstrated his honesty, abil
ity and fitness to serve the people we'll
For the other senator the finger OF
destiny points toward Lee Msntl,
of Butte. He is a man of fine abilities
has q large following on the west sids
and many friends throughout the state
We believe the Republicans OF tn,
legislature could not do better than tt
select Power and Mantle to represenI
Montana in the United States Senate