The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-12-09
TUESDAY, DECEMBER 9, 1902.
REPUBLICAN OPPORTUNITY.

it was officially known that there was
a tie vote for member of the lower
house of the state legislature, The
Gazette briefly, but pointedly outlin-
ed the principal causes for the large
falling off of the republican vote for
member of the state senate and house
of representatives, as compared with
the vote in the county for member
of congress-.
When the article in question was
published. The Gazette had in mind
that the disaffected elements in the
republican party in the county would
not be again called together at the
polls until the general election in
1904. 1t was not known her that the
combating elements within the par
ty would have the opportunity to
again try conclusions in less than so
days on the very questions which had
caused so much dissatisfaction dur
ing the general political campaign
this year.
In view of the fact that storm
clouds are already brewing in the
county within republican ranks. by
reason of an approaching special
election for a member of the legisla-
ture, every reasonable effort ought
to be made for Cancellation between
the contending foes. 1t has been but
,o1a~+lr- .1oo ,lr ~, o,c+rof oI thof tho
county is safely republican by sew
eral hundred majority. With party
strife eliminated the election this
month would go to the republican
ticket by such a majority which
would show to republicans in the rest
of the state that the party here is no
longer an uncertain quantity.
Of course. this newspaper realizes,
with hosts of other loyal and con-
sistant republicans in the county,
that a thorough uniting of all the ele-
ments in the party is a matter not
easy OF accomplishment in SO short a
time as intervenes between now and
the dag of election. But the party
must be united if it expects to make
the state legislature from the u
ty a certainty on December 20.
1t has been suggested by a promi-
nent republican, and The Gazette
merely offers the suggestion, that in
view of the fact that the county re-
publican committee will meet tonight
or tomorrow to discuss and formu-
late plans for the campaign, that
those who tool the active leadership
in the management of the last cam
paign, and are clandestinely laying
their plans for the special election,
should Immediately vacate their
places and that vacancies be filled by
men satisfactory to the entire party.
1t has been openly charged that the
late campaign was so conducted that
it is a matter of surprise to those
familiar with some of the proceedings.
that the county and Legislative ticket
at the last election Jared as we'll as
it did.
The Gazette has no other interest,"
in the matter of the special election
than serving the political party whose
interests in the past it has always
aimed to honestly and faithfully rep
resent. But be it understood that it
is not now, nor never will be the
plant tool of any set of men whose
sole purpose may be to appropriate
the machinery of the party for base
and selfish ends.
Under ordinary conditions, Mr..
Bever. candidate of the republican
party at the November election for
the legislature, should be the candi-
date OF the party at the special cleo
ton. That gentleman could no doubt
have that nomination again for the
asking. In fact there is no one else
in the county among the republicans
who wants the place, or who cares
to oppose him. But Mr.. Bever should
not expect republicans to TAXI their
coats Off in his behalf unless he and
his most intimate political associates
are willing to recognize the fact that
there are others.
The day has come in Yellowstone
county republican politics when the
rights of others should be respected
and if this is done there will no longer
be any question as to the political
complexion of the county.