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

the action Of Senator HObsOn and
Representative Long of this county
in voting for W. \. Clark for United
states senator To succeed Hon. Lee
Mantle. But weregard principle as SUI
pcrior To any and al men. and when
men desert or ignore principles which
are formulated and given force 10y
party organization. they invite cen
sure upon their heads. When they
go still further and by their conduct
cause their fcllDw-men, regardless OF
party, to question their honor and
integrity. they lay themselves opon
to the severest condemnation.
As regards Messrs. Hobson and
Long we do not hesitate To say that
their action is not inGorsed by the
Republicans Of Fergus county so far
az we are able To ascertain, and for
that matter they are not sustained
by the Republican sentiment through
out the state but severely scored.
Messrs. Hobson and Long We're
sent to the legislature from this
county by Republican votes and it
was expected that upon all purely
political questions they would stand
firm for the principles of their party.
But they have failed to do SO, even
at the urgent request Of their con-
s~tituents, who know as well, ii not
better than they do, what is for the
best interest of the PARTY.
What inference must he drawnfrom
their action? Why will a man spurn
the counsel and advice Of his warm
est friends, his business associates
and his party leaders? Is IL because
he il ION theinsidc" and knows what
is best for the party? Nonsense!
Subterfuge! Such talk would not
convince n child, nor even an idiot.
What is offered in extcnuation for
the vote of our senator and represen-
tative? The chief arguments used
are that Clark will pledge himself to
vote for n high tariff and that he
a be relied upon to assist in the
election of Senator Carter two years
hence. Az there will be a safe Re-
publican majority in the federal SEN
ate for the next ten years Mr.. Clark's
pledge il very cheap and gratuitous.
To impose such stuff upon IA wool
growing constituency is "A reflection
upon its intelligence.
As to Mr.. Clark assisting in the
election Of Senator Carter his own
party will prevent him from deliver
Ing the goods" To those Democrats
who are SO elated over the election
OF Clark this must be very consoling.
The friends OF Senator Carter Ia
this state, and they have been num-
erous, would prefer tn see him elected
without such an unholy alliance, or
look to the national administration
for future political hOnors, in case of
defeat.
M doubt Mr.. Clark would willing
ly promise all Of the above. We be-
lieve he did SO. He desired n seat
in the United States senate, for which
he was willing to promise anything
or pay any amount Of money to
secure. Party considerations rested
very lightly on his shoulders. But
Mr.. Clark will find his pledges difficult
Of fulfllmcnt. That these promises
had any weight or influence over the
eleven Republicans who voted for
Clark we do not believe. 1t Is but u
subtle makeshift for n more substan-
tial reason.
Could honest men, could patriotic
and loyal Republicans sit silent and
motionless under the burning elo-
ulence of Lindsay OF Dawson county
and W. A. Hedges of this county,
when pleading with them to stand
firm to the end? Could men whose
consciences were not scared fail TO
heed the kilograms from their con-
stituency and the constant urging OF
the representative daily Republican
paper OF the state.
When earnestly besought from