The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-01-09
THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE,

THE GOVERNORS MESSAGE.
Very likely he will deny the allega
ton and declare himself to be still
the undaunted and uncontaminateC
democrat of years ago, but for all thai
the governor is giving unmistakabls
evidence of having become tainted
with populism as the result Of his as
sociatiOns with other distinguished
gentlemen who are serving the state
at Helena. His message is proof OF
this. No populist who ever dreamed
the dream could have more earnest.
ly or more %eloquently pleaded the
cause of the initiative and referendum
than does his excellency in the docu.
ment he read to the legislature last
Tuesday. He made it the chief fea.
ture of his message and devoted his
most earnest argument to the effort
made by him to cause the legislature
tC become convert to his views on
the subject of direct legislation. It is
not probable, however, that any seri-
Gus action in the direction recon-
mended by his eXcellency will be TAX
en- by the men to whom has been dele
gated the power of placing the sub
ject before the people. OF course,
there will be found men in the legis-
lature who are in accord with the
governor, but they will turn out a
very small minority. The people of
Montana are moi yet prepared for the
innovation, a fact the legislators
know and it is safe to assume that
no bill introduced for the purpose of
carrying out the governors populis-
tic recommendation will receive more
than the votes of the laborites and a
few democrats tainted with populism
to the extent that the governor is. 1t
may grfeye him and disappoint him,
but Governor Toole will learn that
the rest of the state does not care to
place itself in the position where it
would have to yield obedience to laws
prepared for it by n county. .
However, every recommendation
made by the governor is not lacking
to the same degree in the elements
that commends it to the people. His
advice in regard to different things
is very good and highly commendable.
He will receive the support OF all in
his recommendation that the con
Germs which have the school book
contracts with the state be compelled
wise will he be supported in hat part
of his message where he advises that
certain state officers now appointed
be elected by the people. In regard
tn the matter of the enactment of a
feliow-servant law he will also be
given cordial support, especially by
the republicans, who were a little
ahead of the governor and made a
declaration in favor of such a law
a plank of their state platform. APP
prevail will no doubt be given to the
recommendation in regard to a re-
duction of interest on deferred pay
ments on state lands and an extension
of the period in which such payments
shall be made, as such a course would
not only prove convenient and bene.
fetal to the persons making such pur
chases, but would also add material.
ly to the sales of lands.
While some may differ from him on
the proposition, yet many will com
mend him for his suggestion concern.
ing the ACCESSIBILITY of placing under
state control the various fraternal in.
surance orders doing business in the
state. Action along that line would
be no more than a measure of protec.
ton to the people. The sound, relia'
BILE organizations of that sort would
have nothing to fear, while the ire
sponsible, unreliable ones would be
forced to leave the field and the pub
lie would be protected against the
danger present in many instances OF
paying money for a long period only
tc find that the concern has failed and
that the premiums paid are lost. Tit
governor gives a hint that he will op
pose to the best of his power any at