The Butte inter mountain. [volume] (Butte, Mont.) 1901-1912, 1901-09-28
LONG SUFFERING MONTANA.

Except for the terms succeeding the
senatorial election of 1898 the interests
of Montana in Washington have always
suffered from partial or total neglect
through the contests and controversies
growing out OF the bitterness of per-
sonal feeling between conflicting inter-
ests. The rights of the people were dis
regarded so long as democratic leaders
thought it more necessary to struggle
for advantage. AS natural result the
reputation of the state has been DAM
aged and the purity of its politics, the
quality of it's justice, the sincerity OF
it's patriotism, the existence of its COM
mon sense have been called into grave
question by the men of the east. The
fact to which the Inter Mountain would
call attention, however, is the neglect
Of public business growing out of these
senatorial contests, and the righteous in
dignation Of the people because of that
neglect.
In the first case, Montana sent four
senators to Washington, of whom two
were seated under bitter partisan pro-
test, which impaired their influence and
restricted their usefulness. 1eSter that for
a period of two years the state had but
one senator in Washington, who. being
overworked, fell ill., to the great
neglect Of his constituency. Before his
term expired and after the legislature
failed to elect a second senator the gov
ernor appointed one to the vacancy, but
he could accomplish nothing at that time
for the state for the reason that the sem
ate, after exhaustive debates as to the
legality of the appointment, adopted the
adverse report of the privileges and cleo
tions committee, leaving Montana still
in a hobbled condition. Then came four
years during which the state had full!
representation; but on the expiration Of
the short term. democratic legislature
at Helena undertook to choose senator
for the ensuing six years. Hon. w. a.
Clark was finally elected with the aid
of some republicans who probably
thought he needed the salary. He pro-
ceeded to Washington with his creden-
tials only to discover that history was
to repeat itself and that Montana would
still have to squeeze along one senator
short unless the senate doorkeeper could
be aspnyxiated at the beginning of every
session. Then followed an investigation
which, in it's kaleidoscope sensations,
was unequaled in the nations history.
The proceedings We're the warmest ever
recorded. All the world wondered. The
end of it, however was that Montana
was still struggling along with one sem
ator. Within a few weeks after that re-
sui. was announced there was another
change, for by extra work in the guber-
Material office at Helena it looked as
though previous losses there were to be
made up by allowing Montana three sem
ators-one inside and two outside of the
senate chamber. Acting Governor spriggs
appointed Hon. w. A. Clark and Gov
ernor Smith later appointed Hon. Martin
Maginnis. The result of their applica-
tions for seats was that neither succeed
ed, the matter being postponed until the
adjournment of congress. Thus Montana
was still shy one senator. Last fall the
scene changed again. The people were
determined to have a full representa- ton
in the senate in order that their many
important affairs in Washington might
receive proper attention. The senator
on duty toiled like a Trojan. but no one
man can do two mems work, and final
effort was made to fill up the delegation.
So incensed were the people of the state
on account of the almost continuous de-
ficiency in the senate representation that
in their just wrath they lost sight of
both politics and principles, and by
voting the first ticket on the ballot ac-
cidentally elected a fusion legislature.
There is no other way to explain that re-
suit. When that body met it lost no time
In choosing senator, and later selected
colleague. Thus after all these years
there is believed to be a prospect of a
full Montana delegation to congress. but
let us not be too sure. Already there
are whispers of contests against both the
gentlemen elected. They may not ma
teriali%e and so far are not alarming vet
no one can divine the future.