The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-01-11
GOOD THINGS 1T CONTAINS.

GOOD THINGS 1T CONTAINS.
Aside from it's value as a historical
document, tho inaugural message of
Governor Toole contains several sug-
gestions and recommendations to
which all good citizens can heartily
subscribe. His suggestion relative to
the election of federal senators by di-
rect vote is in line with the general
wish of the people all over the coun-
try and it's adoption is a consumma-
ton greatly to be desired, as the scan
dals now too often attached to the
election of senators would then be
impossible. A man with wealth may
purchase enough votes of a legislature
to elect himself, but to buy an entire
state would be a different proposition.
All political parties of the state be-
ing committed to what is known as
the eight-hour law, his recommended
tion that such a measure be enacted
will meet with opposition from no
one, except, perhaps, the large mining
and smelling companies, which such a
law would most affect. His reference
to the subject of trusts is temperate
and sensible. While believing that
certain legislation by the state may
result beneficially to the people, still
he thinks the full measure of relief
can only be secured through national
legislation. In this regard he differs
from many of the members of the fu-
sion that made his election possible
and he may lay himself open to be
charged by them with being untrue
to his party. But Governor Toole is
a lawyer and a good citizen of Mon
tana and his knowledge as the former
enables him to discern just to what
lengths legislation may go, while his
desires as one Of the latter are in the
direction of seeing the state prosper
Gus and f1ourishing, even at the ex-
pense of permitting combines to ope-
rate in it or allowing their products to
be shipped within it's confines. Be-
side, the election is over and that
makes a vast difference, you know.
If there is one thing more than
another in the message which republic
cans can ch%eerfully and heartily en-
dorse it is the recommendation that
, the election laws be amended to the
:, extent of removing the circle from the
r top of the ballot. The existence OF
the circle is a matter that, perhaps,
more than anything else has in the
past been responsible for democratic
victories and it owes it's presence on the
= ballot to the democratic party, which
q placed it there through an amendment
r to the original election law. The plea
was made that it would save time
v but the real motive for it's adoption
If was that shift bosses and foremel
might be better enabled to keep tai
on their employees and know whethe
they We're voting the straight ticke
or resorted to the reasonable practic
Of "scratching.' The legislation rec
s. commended in the direction of doin
is away with the company store is in tn
he way of wise and patriotic advice. Tn
Q. laboring man should be permitted t
le spend the money he receives in retur
is for his toll where and with whom h
pleases. The undue competitio
I'd which the independent merchant, VIII
IN does business on legitimate principle
re is forced to meet through the systel
of of company stores is an evil that d
ce mands% remedying. So long as mini1
or other concerns employing lar,
er numbers of men are permitted to CO
i'll duct stores at which their employ
he are compelled to trade on penalty
It's losing their positions, just so long
ed open and honorable business comp
at tiion impossible and the communit;
IS in which those conditions obtain 6
ey the sufferers. In connection with Il