Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1900-11-19
MONDAY. NOVEMBER 10. 1900.
LEGISLATIVE RESPONSIBILITY.

the Montana legislature b under a
r9isconception of their responsibilities.
They seem to believe that their election
was lue to the desire Of their supporters
to afford them an opportunity to look
after their own interest instead of that
Of the state. Particularly is this true
now that a senatorial election is a part
of the legislative work. During the
campaign subsequent to the conventions
the candidates for legislative office are
generally solicitous of the public needs
and voluble in promises of prompt work
Oh the public behalf; bat the moment
the count of votes indicates their success
they throw down the ladder by which
they have climbed to the dizzy heights
of the legislative office and give it out
cold that they are no longer servants
of the people, but their lords and mas
ters, and from that moment begin the
Incubation of plots and plans based
wholly upon selfish considerations, and
form combines looking in every direc-
lion but that of wise. economical and
patriotic legislation. Already it is re-
l.ably reported that measures are undo
consideration for the creation of a num-
Der of new offices, the expense of which
will greatly increase the tax burdens OF
The people,; others for the purpose OF
gratifying private ~revenges; others 70
enable certain interests to triumph over
rival interests no less worthy Of protec-
tion and support; others 70 place tne
courts under political control. There
ARE threats already heard of enactments
looking to the persecution and unions
of certain corporations which are as
suredly doing no harm to any citizen OF
are numbered among Montana's most
beneficial industrial enterprises, and
which can not be attacked without dis
nster to labor and capital alike, and ire
parable injury to the states reputation
as a safe place for the legitimate Inv
vestment Of capital under the protection
CT the law, impartially administered
the election of two senators a matter OF
private gain to certain elements, ana
5on " ,,,,ht;o h,,cipoSc panHinp that p1pc,
ton. instead of selecting the two men
best adapted to promote the welfare of
Montana in Washington, purely On the
basis of their merit and their politics,
and deyoting the rest of the session to
the work contemplated under the law
and sacredly pledged by the members In
taking the oath of office.
For these reasons the people have a
right to insist on the prompt abandon
ment of all unworthy projects which
rumor says are now contemplated by
certain influences claiming controlling
power in the coming session of the legis,
lature. The people have a right to in
sist on the conscientious performance o
public duty by every member of tina
body. 1t should not be understood tina
the Inter Mountain has any unkint
charges to prefer at present. 1t realize
that many worthy citizens of the stat
have been elected, n depends upol
them to repress IN tendency to reck
less and damaging legislation; but tn
reports in circulation are enough t
alarm every man who loves Montan
and would see it prosper. They fully jus
tify him in appealing to all conservatiI
members of the legislature to show b
their record that they are not sympa
thizers with any designs that are il
imical to the states welfare and repl
tation. The members-elect who hay
wrong notions about the legislati,
office, and regard it as affording an o.
portunity for personal gain. should
discouraged at the outset. Men who a
not satisfied with the per diem and n
willing to give their best services to t
state from patriotic motives LAY
business in the halls Of legislation, a
it is for this reason that the people i
dulge the hope that all unwort
schemes will be promptly shut out a
all rumors OF such schemes prompr
shown to nave no basis of fact.
The democratic party is on trial ags
and will be held responsible for a
record 1t may make.