Daily inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1881-1901, 1901-01-08


along lines entirely within the constitu-
tional purview. With just and discrim-
mating Judgment. uniniiuenced by pas
sion or prejudice.
ITO the average mind there are OBJ
stacles to be met With in single state
extending its legislation so as to compre-
bend a prohibition of the evils existing
and anticipated especially as it may re-
late to those necessary commodities al
ready monopoized. ana which conse-
uuently cannot be supplied from any
other source.
Il am therefore inclined TO hold to the
opinion that while there may be and
doubtless is much that the state can do.
the only complete relief and remedy
available in such cases. consistent with
a due regard to our own interests. must
be found in national instead Of state leg
isation..
CORPORATE INFLUENCE IN POL
lTICs.
I'm this state little would be said or
t, AIRED as to corporate influence in
in politics if nothing more was
done than to contribute Ito the
campaign funds of the great political
control of the state and federal govern
ments" but forbearance ceases to be a
virtue when such influences openly COM
bine to dominate the primaries. dictate
the nominees of conventions and over
ride the will of the people at the polls.
Happily for US of this state, public opin-
ion has been aroused upon this ques-
ton, and the dangerous practices which
have so long prevailed have met with
temporary check. Those Of us who are
familiar with the methods pursued by
s,;ch organizations and the pertinacity
with which they cling to every scheme
and device to promote their own inter-
ests Know that a single rebuke, how
e, err severe, cannot Nc expected to do
more than procrastinate the time when,
if vigorous prohbitory measures are not
enacted. their assault will be renewed
with augmented strength and more de-
termined purpose.
1T will not be denied in those cases
where deliberate and unprovoked as
sault is made upon corporate rights or
Where organized hostility to corporate
existence amounting to a deprivation Of
constitutional guarantees prevails. that
the law of self preservation is quite as
stl ong and should be quite as available
in artificial as in natural persons; but in
our commonwealth, where the courts are
OPEN to every sutton and where the
rights of property are held sacred and
itlviolable by whomsoever possessed,
such a state Of affairs is likely to be more
imaginary than real. so that whatever
may be said by the official or paid rep
resentatves in mitigation of the long
continued practice of corporate interfer-
ence in political affairs in this state, all
must admit that influence intended to at
feet political life officiously thrust into
party contests OF otticiously brought to
bear on legislative action is inconsistent
with good government. is a palpahle
abuse of corporate privileges and should,
be met with public reprobatlon when
ever and wherever it makes it's appear
ance.
THE voter is a trustee in the most
comprehensive sense, exercising his
trust in behalf of what he considers the
best interests of the people. He cannot
delegate his power to another. Willingly
or unwllingly, and any scheme by which
this prostitution of the elective franchise
is effected ought to be severely de-
nounced and punished to the extent, if
necessary. Of forfeiture of their
foreign corporations. prohibiting them
from carrying on business in the state
ut is confidently asserted and plausi-
bly, maintained by those whose BUSH
ness, it is to look after party interests
at the polls that the spirit and purpose
of the Australian system of voting which
obtains in his state. is violated, and in
imidation and coercion made easy on the
y nf r.
various ways, but notably by holding
watch on their employe when he enters
the voting booth and ascertaining the
time taken to mark his ticket Each
ticket having at it's head circle in which
a cross can be made, requires but a
moment in which to vote straight
ticket Any longer time spent in the
booth than is necessary to vote a
straight ticket is at once evidence against
the voter that he has scratched his
ticket and results in his discharge. It
is common knowledge that this sort OF
espionage has been successfully en-
ployed to defeat a free and independent
expression CT the voters choice. The
opportunity ought to be removed.
I recommend that the law be so
amended as to emit tits circle from the
ballot.
PAN-AMERICAN EXPOSITION.
IAN Act to encourage the holding OF
Pan American exposition on the
Niagara frontier in the state of New
York, beginning on the first day of May,
! 1901. and closing on the first day of No.
Vember, 1901, was passed by congress,
and approved March 3, 1899
1T is believed that such an exhibit On
as this state ought to make could be in
stalled in place of general exhibit
and that we should not undertake th.
erection of q state building for that pur-
pose.
STATE PRINTING.
II submit the matter to your COW
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