Evening star., 1900-09-25
MON TANA POLITICS
The Clark democratic Ticket and its
Prospects.
REPUBLICANS WORKING HARD
Corporation interests Deeply In
volved in the Fight.
FORECAST IMPOSSIBLE
Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.

Special Correspondence Of The Evening Star.
BUTTE, Mont, September q, 1900.
Those who are familiar with the politics
of Montana will remember the time when
the political affiliations of Marcus Daily
were always a matter of doubt to the peo-
pie of this state prior to an election. In
the early territorial days Montana was al
ways democratic. This was due to the fact
that her leading business men and large
proportion of her citizens Were from Mis-
souri, and therefore of strong democratic
leanings.
1t was not until Marcus DAILY discovered
that his interests lay in republican direc-
tions that the state changed and Thomas H.
Carter, then comparatively unknown law
yer of Helena, was elected to Congress on
the republican ticket by majority OF over
5000. The silver issue of 1896 upset all
previous political precedents in the state
and local enthusiasm for the white metal
forced all but a few faithful republicans to
align themselves with the democratic party.
1t was under these circumstances that the
long standing feud between w. A. Clark
and Marcus Daily became most virulent, for
as matter of necessity the two men found
themselves in the same political party.
The First Great Fight.
The first great fight in which they became
location for the state capital. This contest
was the Inauguration of the epoch of brib-
cry. corruption and general degradation of
politics in the state which has prevailed
since that time Public officials were
bought courts were Influenced, the press
was subsidized and local jealousies were
aroused in such way to destroy friend
ships of long standing. and to otherwise en-
rage one community against another.
The race for the United States senator
ship between the Clark and DAILY forces is
matter of recent history and familiar to
every reader of newspapers in the United
States.
Mr.. Clark has not yet been seated as SEN
ator from Montana, but he has won his
fight against Marcus Daily so far as the
control of the democratic party of the state
is concerned If the legislature is demo-
cratic w. A. Clark will probably again be
elected senator This he will accomplish
by the usual methods, If possible and il
not by the methods he pursued at his first
election to that office. 1t is freely asserted
by many United States senators that Mr..
Clark will never be given his seat, even if
he comes to Washington with regular Gre
dentials and without the strenuous opposi-
ton of the DAILY faction.
This statement is based upon what is
termed by these same senators bad politi-
cal move on the part of Mr.. Clark, for 1t
will be remembered that after having been
refused his seat he jugged with the ap-
pointive power of the states executive to
the OlScOmnture ana numlnat1On OF those
senators who had been foremost in the eX-
pressions of sympathy for Mr.. Clarks sad
political fate. One well-known western
senator told Mr.. Clark after this episode
that he had made serious mistake. Clark
replied to the effect that politics was a
game and that no opportunity should ever
he lost to turn trick" 1t was In this
light that he had regarded his course
throughout the senatorial contest. Accord
ing to this same senator who rebuked Mr.
Clark, the latter copid not secure a seat In
the present SeIate under any circum-
stances, and this opinion has been indorsed
by many democrats who were at first in
clined to give the Montana man the benefit
of his victory over DAILY.
Changes In the Political Situation.
There have been recent and important
changes, however, in the political situation
in Montana. The great power formerly
welded by Marcus DAILY has passed from his
hands into those who are interested more
in republican victory than they are in
the outcome of any personal feud, no mat
ter how closely it might be interviewer with
the history of the state.
The Amalgamated Copper Company which
formerly controlled by Marcus DAILY
is now in other hands. presumably those O.
the same men who control the Standard Oil.
The manager Of this company is now Mr.
G. NJ Hyams. Mr.. Hyams is a republican
and has already made his influence felt in
the state politics, having controlled the re-
cent republican state convention It is un-
derstood that the former Daily interests are
determined upon the reelection of Thomas
II. Carter to the United States Senate and
will in consequence expend their energies
upon the election of a republican legsla-
ture. This is not the only issue however
for there are many lawsuits involving Ii is
said, over $15,0O0.OO0. now pending between
the Amalgamated Copper Company and the
Montana Ore Purchasing Company of
which Mr. A. HeinZe is the manager AS
nearly all of the judges of the various
courts are to be elected in November these
opposing interests of great magnitude are
deeply concerned in the personnel of the
bench, and this has entered into the political
situation to very marked degree.
1t is difficult to give any outline Of the
political situation In the state. The people
are disgusted with the Clark business and
yet, on the other hand a strong anti-corpo-
ration sentiment prevents many from voting
against the Clark-democratic faction and in
favor of a ticket which is known to be
favored by the Amalgamated Copper Com
Pany. For this reason 1t is difficult to saw
just how the election will result and no
political prophet is so reckless of his repu-
tation as to attempt any forecast, no matter
how familiar he may be with the politics of
the state.
1t is generally believed however that
Montana will give her electoral vote 10
Bryan regardless of the mixed up condition
of state politics, which condition makes the
outcome of the state election extremely nm
certain. 1t is possible that the influences
which are republican are strong enough To
carry the state into the republican column
but owing to the general belief in the free
coinage of silver by the people as a whole
| this seems extremely doubtful.
J. d. WHELPLEY.