Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-02-01
WORDS.
Hon. W. A. Hedges Defines His Position In
the Senatorial Fight.

ETludN INST at TIC gDlHI stSSlpu
Hon. w. A. Hedges, addressed the
legislators and in no uncertain terms
declared that he could not be cajoled
nor bought to vote for a Democrat.
He said: "Mr. President: | desire
to say a few words relating to the
vote which | shall cast. Rumors re-
tlecting upon the political integrity
OF the Republican members Of this
assembly are still current: rumors OF
things that will happen II Republi-
cans vote for w. A. Clark, and
Others. l resent the statement that
any Republican will vote for a Demo.
crat for the United States senate.
resent the statement that any Re-
publican will absent himself from
this assembly, that his absence may
benefit any Democratic candidate.
1t IL true that not many moons
ago, certain business men, mostly OF
Helena, and claiming to be Republic
cans, took upon themselves the re-
sponsibility Of demonstrating to us
the propriety of voting for a
Democrat for the United States SEN
ate, and OF naming the senator.
Having lost, however. their own
identity as true and recognized Re-
publicans, this was easy for them tn
do. But the truth Is that with
scarcely an exception, they would
not today be recognized by the
faithful here in Helena, or In Lewis
and Clarke county.
81 am proud to say that this city
and county, has a host of as true Re.
publicans as can befound anywhere
these men who have extended to us
the right hand of fellowship which
j. we have been able to recognize, have
told us invariably to stand firm tO
our party principles. which, incident.
ally, give these men the business
they transact. 1t is true that per-
sonally | have been identified with
this city as long as almost any of its
residents. 1t is true that many
other old citizens OF this city nre now,
like myself, residents of the county
which L have the honor to represent,
i'm part, upon this floor. 1t is true
that we did all in our power four
years ago To make this city the capi,
tai of this state: and tu such a pur-
pose, that | recall "A certain telegram
that read God bless Fergus county.
THERE Is No EXCUSE
But these facts have nothing
whatever to do with this present
senatorial contest. | owe my pres.
ent seat here solely tn the fact that
in my county | am a recognized,
though humble, exponent of the prin.
ciples embodied in the st. Louis
platform and the present Republican
administration. | was sent here Ia
vote for a Republican United States
: senator; and [ will not vote for any
Democrat. Ii anything gave ouI
people heart and hope after election
last November it was the fact that
the United State senate was assured
to be, for at least four years To
come, overwhelmingly Republican.
and will neve In the least do any,
thing TO lessen that grand Republi,
can majority. 1t is Motor us to ask
who il Mr.. Clark, or who is Mr..
, DAILY. There Is absolutely no excuse
for any Republican voting for a
Democratic candidate, and no EXCUSE
will be tolerated by us. | thank
God that the Republican party OF
Montana does not contain these mil.
lionaires who have besmirched the
fair name Of Montana with the mud
and slime Of corruption and bribery.
"The Republicans OF this state can
rest assured that we will never "a
over to that unclean mountain OF
Democracy. II a senator is to be
elected by Republican votes, a
goodly portion of that Democracy.
which pirates about throwing aside
facti0nal differences for the good o.
the party in the state, must first
cleanse itself, and then come to us
We represent today in our choice %
senator, a majority Of the voters %
this state. If the vote given Mr.
Campbell last November be divided
between the two Democratic leader:
who claim to own it, giving 2,8Ot
votes to each candidate, Mr.. Mar
shall, the Republican candidate, will
lead either one by 3 900 votes. Heis the
leading and logical candidate in the
dilemma which confrOnts us. Day
after day, Mr.. President, we have
come here and presented names
after each one has been tested by tho
level and the plumb line Of true Re.
publicanism. So far as we Republic
can members are concerned, ouI
duty Is clear; and right well we up.
hold the trust reposed in US. To the