The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1900-11-20

one of justification of his course in
connection with his election by the
legislature two years ago and having
been successful on that issue, the gen.
tleman is the logical candidate and his
claims cannot be ignored. Had there
been no Clark and no demand for vim
dication the election might have re-
suited differently.
It being a reasonable assumption
that one of the vacancies is already
as good as filled, speculation naturally
centers upon the remaining one.
While several names have been men
toned as representing proper and fit
men to ssum the waiting toga none
appears to have aroused eve to a
slight degree that spirit Of enthusiasm
which always manifests itself in the
case of a candidate possessing suffi-
Gent popularity or personal magnetism
to give a reasonable amount of assur-
ance of his success. Political mex
pediency is urged as a reason why
some should not be seriously con-
sidered, while reasons of another kind
are advanced against the candidacy Of
others. .
Ever since it's admission as a state
one of the unwritten political laws Of
Montana which both parties have rec
ognized has been that the mountain
range which acts as a natural division
from north to south shall also act as
a line to mark, as nearly as possible,
the manner in which all state Offices
shall be divided. Especially is this SO
in the case Of the two senatorships,
and a very just and wise arrangement
it is. Mr.. Clark represents the west
side, consequently in the nature Of
things his colleague will come from
this cismontane part of the state. It
is also but natural to suppose that the
party will confer the honor upon one
who in addition to being endowed with
the necessary mental qualifications
required to successfully fill the exalted
position, also commands a following
within his own political organization
and strength with the people that
makes him a man of influence and
power. Some. persons with high
ethical conception may argue that the
latter consideration should be given no
places in so important a matter as the
selection of a NAL for United States
senator. Perhaps they are right, but
they are not politicians. Such a man
the democrats of eastern Montana be-
lieve they possess in the person of a
modest citizen of Dawson county, the
Hon. Thomas P. Cullen.
While it is none Of The Gazette's
political business, and while anything
that this paper may have to say con-
corning the matter will probably not
receive the same consideration that
would be accorded it, were it to come
from a democratic publication, the
desire to discuss Mr.. Cullen's candi-
dacy is too strong to be resisted. Be-
sides, this newspaper has that interest
in the matter that all who love their
oo,-~+r,, ,,,,e% foo1 -, GU i~, portouf or
event as the election of a United
States senator, for although chosen as
representatives of recognized politi.
cal organizations, once elected, public
officials are supposed to be governed
in their actions by a desire to serve al.
to the best of their ability, without
regard to political affiliations OF
prejudices.
All that the friends of Mr.. Cullen
claim for him The Gazette cheerfully
endorses. His is a mentality Of more
than ordinary ability, coupled tc
which are years of experience in leg
islative bodies and thorough famili.
arity with the needs Of his constitu'
ency. Then, too, he is a man or
whom suspicion never rested and
whose name has yet to be coupled
with any transaction Of questionable
character. His mental, intellectual,
and moral qualifications being conced'
ed, brief investigation into his politi'
cal availability will speedily establish
the fact that he is an element Of
strength to his party that the leaders
cannot afford to ignore. In proof Of
this it is only necessary to consider