The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1899-02-07
The t a Press
on
Republican Deserters.

~ Republican Deserters. {
Big Timber Pioneer (rep.) Mr..
Beasley vas nominated by the republic
can convention last fall more because
there was scarcely any one else who
would have it than because Of any fit
ness Of his for the position, although be
was thought by some to be a staunch
and most radical republican. After
his nomination he was supported BY
the entire republican party because Of
his supposed republican principles and
came ont victorious over his two op-
ponents. But since he has proven false
to his party he has not even that one
recommendation and is not only a dis
grace t., his party but TO the county
that he represents.
Ravalli Republican (rep.): There
are q few honorable men in the legisla-
tive assembly. Some Of these men vot-
ed for VIM. A. CLARK conscientiously
and because he was their first choice.
Some Of them voted against Clark for
honorable reasons. But these honora-
BILE men should not be compelled to sit
for forty days more in the company Of
those eleven dishonorable men who APP
parently sold out their party for dol
lars. The eleven should relieve these
men of their presence by resigning and
leaving the state.
&&@ &# h## @&M& Y 8% 4 &@ Z &M&4@& sa# }&
Libby News (rep.): It is true that
the action Of the republicans in voting
for a democrat will cause any an old
line follower Of the grand old party to
gulp a tie or two before he can get the
dose down, and there are those in all
parties who will believe that the jingle
of WA. Clark's gold possessed a charm
which they did not resist, but the News
believes that their action was guided by
what they believed to be their duty to
the people Of Montana and that they
considered the welfare Of the state to
be above craftsmanship.
Y 4
Livingston Enterprise (rep.): This
newspaper has all along been an advo-
cate Of independent action by the re-
publican members of the legislature, to
the end that a democratic majority Of
sixty be either permitted to settle their
own differences O. go before the people
two years hence with the stigma of
feuds SO rank that their party could not
transact the business of the state, as
they have demonstrated their inability
to satisfactorily handle the affairs Of
the nation. But as this county has no
republican representation by reason Of
the political upheaval incident to the
battle of the standards in 1895, it does
not feel impelled to strongly criticise
the representatives of other counties.
They will be left to their own constitu-'
ents and to their consciences to answer
for their action, and if they can thus
escape odium for participation in one OF
the most disgraceful contests that has
aver cast a blot upon the fair name Of
any state, the Enterprise will not make
it a matter for criticism.
4
Fergus County Argus (rep.): 1t is
no pleasant task that we are compelled
to perform in ~condemning the action
Of Senator Hobson and Representative
Long Of this county in voting for w. A.
Clark for United States senator to sue
coed Hon. Lee Mantle. But we regard
principle as superior to any and all
men, and when men desert or ignore
principles which are formulated and
given force by party organization, they
invite censure upon their heads. When
they 60 still further and by their con-
duct cause their fellow-men, regardless
Of party, to question their honor and
integrity, they lay themselves open to
the severest condemnation. No repub-
lican among the fifteen had a right to
disregard the wishes Of his party in this
matter, and had w. A. Clark been a
poor man it never would have been
done.
Dillon Tribune (rep.): There is no
excuse to be offered for the action Of
those eleven republican (?) members of
the Legislature who betrayed their party
by voting for a democrat-even for as
unobjectionable a democrat as Hon.
W. A. Clark-for senator. It was not
good politics even. It was the business
of republicans to stay out of that dis
graceful row. That the sympathy of