The Anaconda standard. [volume] (Anaconda, Mont.) 1889-1970, 1895-03-19
MUNICIPAL POLITICS.
There's Some TAX of n, minating n Citi-
zrns' lick &.

There's Some TAX of n minating n Citi-
zrns' lick t.
MIssoULA, March 1S.-There is an
ominous quiet in local political circles and
only a chosen few know what is going on
MS preliminary to the spring city election.
Whatever is being done is ION the q. t."
and only those who are next the throne
know anything about it. Questions adj
dressed to those who are supposed to be
posted in the matter suffice only to call
forth cvasve answers and the general
public is absolutely in the dark as to who
will be the candidates for mayor and
aldermen. There is a popular belief that
a citizens ticket is to be sprung upon tho
voters, but there may or may not be good
grounds for this supposition. There is an
acknowledged conviction on the part of
nine men out of 10 here in the city that it
is time that politics ceased to cut any
figure in local elections. The STANDARD
a short time ago quoted a number of
prominent politicians of all parties to tho
effect that a citizens ticket with the best
men for the places on il would be accep-
table to them and some of them went SO
far as to say that they would take no part
in the election unless this plan prevailed.
But right here seems to be the hitch.
There is as much difficulty in deciding
who are the best men for the places as
there would be in n political election.
Each group of men has its own idea as to
the model candidates whom it is proposed
to elect, and these ideas are not harmoni-
Gus in all instances. 1t will require lot
of wire-puiling and n couple of cords of
pledges TO unite these contending ele-
ments upon any one candidate. Possibly
this may be done, but il will require a
politician with the generalship of Bill
Berry, the suavity of Frank Mcconnell
and the persistence of Gust Moser to
bring about such a happy contamination.
In this connection ii may be we'll to re-
call some of the remarks that were made
mt the board of trade meeting last week
concerning local politics. While it is one
of the constitutional provisions of the
board of trade that it shall in no sense be
a political organization, il is the senti-
ment of some of the leading members
that If the board can bring about a re-
form in local elections, SO as TO insure the
selection of mon for local offices who are
best Qualified to administer county and
city affairs, such action would be in the
line of tho policy which the board has
laid down.
This sentiment was warmly applauded
the OlncF UlEul anu was COiillileuucd Dy
all present. But, while it sounds well,
theoretically it appears to be far from
practical. There have boon thus far as
many opposed TO the independent candi-
dates on personal grounds as there would
have been for political reasons. The
board may be able TO establish cream
cries and canneries but il is a board of
marvellous power and influence if it sue
ceeds in inaugurating what is admitted
to be model system of local elections.
IL IL does succeed in accomplishing the
carrying out of this plan, 1t will have
done moro for Missoula than any organi-
zation or person has done yet. 1t would
make the University city what il ought to
be but what not even its warmest friends
will claim that il has been.
But there are indications that while all
this talk is being made, there Is some
| active work being done under the surface
and the people of Missoula may wake up
some fine morning and find that some
kind men have saved them the trouble OF
! selecting a ticket. for one that Is all made
will DO presented TO them aud all that
| they will have TO do is 10 vote for it.