Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1899-02-01

Pfaus of Lewistown and Senator Power have
by every word made plain my path Of duty
which il was impossible for me to leave.
am prouder of these men and of my con-
s%tituents than any man in this assembly.
w. A. HEDGES.
The following communication was
also received by wire from Senator
HObson:
My constituents of Fergus county are en-
titled to an expression from me relative 10 the
senatorial election. Defining my position, l
will say:
That before the balloting commenced II was
apparent that no Republican could be elected
Notwithstanding the ~facti0nal d differences which
existed in the Democratic ranks. The Repub-
licans had but IS votes out of a total of "a, and
from a careful canvass of the situation / was
convinced that not a sufficient numbero of Dem
ocrats could under any circumstances join the
Republicans to bring about the election of a
Republican.
The two leading Democratic candidates were
Mr.. Conrad and Mr.. CLARK. Personally | was
in favor Of Mr.. Conrad, for the reason that he is
a prOtectionist and heartily in accord with Re-
publican principles of tariff Legislation, and
when he had 81 votes | tried to get enough Re-
publicans to vote for him to elect him, but at
that time most of the Republicans thought that
he would be elected by Democratic votes and
that We would get Mr.. Conrad without Repub-
licans having to vote for a Democrat. After
the balloting had proceeded to a point where
Mr.. Conrad could not be elected the Republi-
can members from the Yellowstone valley re-
celved many communications from their
constituents urging them to vote for the best
Democrat and break the deadlock. A very
strong petition came from the leading Republi-
cans of Miles City urging the Republican
MEMBER from Custer county to vote for Mr..
Clark.
AT the time Mr.. Clark had shown his full
Democratic strength it became apparent that
he could not be elected without Republican
votes and his Democratic following were
about to leave him and name another candi-
date who was a free trader. The Republicans
procured a written pledge from Mr.. Clark that
he would, if elected, vote for a high protective
tariff and refuse to be bound by any caucus to
another view. Thereupon the Republicans
in caucus decided by a large majority to elect
him. So far as we could Judge il was a choice
between a Democrat pledged to support a high
protective tariff and a Democrat who was afree
trader. The Republicans preferred a pro-
tectionist To a free trader and to that end cast
the deciding votes in favor of Mr.. Clark. In
doing so We nc ted in accordance with the best
judgment of IS per cent of the Republican
members of the legislature and 80 per cent
of the Republicans of Helena and other por-
] tf,t,s nj tb. stata In Gt yntiun am uxVura
We have incurred the displeasure of certain
politicians who are long ON proclamations and
always short ON votes when they get before the
people.
But am satisfied that the sober minded and
rejecting business men Of the state will ap-
prove the action of the Republican members,
and am willing to submit the matter to their
Judgment.
In reference To the statements made by the
Anaconda Standard that a deal was fixed upby
Mr.. John Is. Welcome with the Republicans |
wish to say that it is absolutely false. ! am not
even acquainted with Mr.. Welcome and have
never spoken to him in my life. After the
charges of fraud made by the Anaconda
Standard against Mr.. Clark, the grand jury of
Lewis ~ Clarke county practically exonerated
him and in any event no such charge has been
made against Republicans.
If there has been fraud among Democrats
future developments will show il and then
the Republicans will have an opportunity to
elect two United States senators in 1901, The
Anaconda Standard states that Senator Mantle
and ex-senator lower were instrumental in
bringing about the election of W. A. Clark
In Justice To these gentlemen ! will say that
the statement is also false. No communica-
tons whatever were received from Senator
Mantle, who is in Waghington attending To
his official duties, and that Senator Power was
the strongest opponent in Helena to Clark's
election, as 80 per cent of the people Of this city
will testify.
In voting for a Democrat pledged to protec.
ton | felt that | was doing the best that could
be done for my constituents who have but
recently recovered from the blighting effects
of the free trade fallacy of Grover Cleveland.
From a Republican standpoint ! believe that
| did the best for my constituents, for my party
and my state.
To those carpIng politicians ] have no APP
pologies to make and submit this brief state
ment only that my constituents and especially
the business men of my county and state
SHOULD uluCGstd1u tne pusllpn VI my Nepupl-
/, can friends and myself.
;. S. HoBsoN.
In the early evening the following
ringing declaration was Transmitted
: to this office by ex-senator Sanders,
he desiring us To say on his behalf,
that:
/, "Any pretense that Republicans
voted for Clark because they were
afraid that Clark men would elect
some other man--a free trader, Is
subterfuge. an afterthOught and a lie
to escape the righteous indignation o.
all decent citizens"
At 1880 p. m. the meeting reconvenet
pursuant to adjournment and aftel
the foregoing letters had been read
thefollowing resolution was adopted
II is the sentiment of those present that tn
letter of 5. S. Hobson explanatory of his vot'
and that of his so-called Republican associate
for w. A. Clark, utterly fails to cite reason
.-ls.A. -. l., a--.Psal ~ gatisfagtnrH L.r th,