Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1903-04-01
SOCIALISTS
NAME TICKET
Lacked Courage TO Select Candidates
From Their Own Ranks, But
Picked Some Good Men.
SIX OF THE NINE DECLINED
Walsh, Richards, Hughes, Kane and
c. e. Mesrs Were the Leading
Spirits in the Job.

Ipe iun precedent 10 tne CHolCe VI
city officers was started Thursday ey-
ening last, when the socialists met at
the court house to choose nominees.
Lacking the courage to put up men
from their own ranks-or lacking the
men-the leaders called the meeting
under the guise OF a citizens con.
vention" and made several nomina-
tlons, which were very promptly re-
pudiated. OF nine nominations made
FIVE very promptly declined and an
fact every candidate. save one from the
immediate resignation OF another. In
fact every candidate, save from the
socialist ranks, declined to allow their
names TO appear on the ticket.
There was a good crowd present, a
large majority of which were interest
ed onlookers. IL was the first time
the gang of wreckers had showed
their hands in public and curiosity
attracted many to the court room.
c. +. Richards called the meeting
to order and by prearrangement OF
Walsh. Bailey, Mears ct al 7. w.
Humphrey was chosen chairman. He
spoke but moment. stating that not
withstanding Lewistown had had a
city government for upwards OF three
years We had no good electric light.
no good sidewalks and no better
streets" That was rich for a starter,
as Tom Pratt would say.
The gang was in the air for sec
retary and one after another A. w.
| Orton. ID. J. Kane. II. II. Weaver and
j. w. Stoner declined. ID. w. Cassidy
was the final selection.
On motion. Messrs. Lynch, Kane
and Boone were named as committee
on permanent organization and after
a moments recess the committee re-
ported in favor of making the tempo
rary organization permanent, which
\ was adopted.
In response to calls for nominations
| for mayor, G. Il. Richards named M.
l.. Woodman and ]. w. Hughes nam.
ed Matt Regan. Breck Ornbaun de-
manded TO know whether Woodman
would accept and the chairman re-
sponded that some man had told him
| that another man had said that j. u.
Barnes said that Woodman would
take IL.
| The men who were socialists and
not ashamed of IL. fourteen In num-
ber. voted for Regan, while the other
fellows, twenty-nine OF them, voted for
| Woodman.
For police judge J. ". Stoner said
the present incumbent, +. F. MacGow-
an was all right and others coincided.
A friend of Mr.. MacGowans protest
ed. stating that he knew the Judge
would not accept. and asked II anyone
had consulted Mr.. MacGowan. There
was no response and the chairman
called for nominations for treasurer.
This was offered A. W. Orton. who
instantly declined. J. w. Bailey nom.
mated Gordon o. Shafer. who was not
present and couldn't be reached by
telephone There was no opposition
II was decided that the gang pres
ent should divide into wnrds for nom
nations for aldermen and four from
the first ward and six from the third
ward quickly nominated Mat Weber
and Bernard Mcdonnell for their can
didates. In the second there WIS a
fight. Twenty-three lined up. Kane
tried to force the nomination OF j. +
Plnkley. but the fellows about him
were determined TO name one OF their
own crowd. J. w. Hughes got eigh.
teen votes and Pinkley five. Az once,
Kane whistled to his dog and passed
out.
When il came 10 nominating school
trustees there was evidently no slate
and considerable delay ensued. G. f.
Richards made a rambling talk. but
finally gave II mp and sat down
Walsh said three should be named
alleging that Trustee Waite had re.
signed. r. G.. jackson said that
Messrs. Moshner and McHugh were
the retiring members. Ornbaun
thought he favored men in town and
Cassidy didn't agree with him. Sew.
eral complimented Mr. McIIugh and
finally the name OF Fred Heckford. Of
Castle Butte, was entered.
W. Il. Woodson suggested G.. W.
Cook and there were several ready ia
second that nomination, unwittingly
giving Mayor Cook a very nice in.
dOrscment. notwithstanding previous
roasts OF the city administration. r.
A. Rogers. Of Boyd creek. was the
third nominee and 8ll were selected
by acclamation.
Humphrey was chosen chairman Of
the committee. his associates TO be
Jos. Norman. Of the first ward. A. j.
Johnson. Of the second. and G.. 4.
Richards, Of the third.
]. A. Walsh moved that this commit.
tee be given "plegnary power" Meth.
er the chairman nor half OF those
present knew what he meant. but as
ne said Il. II must be- so and II went.
That settled II and the crowd dis.
persed.
The sequel came the following
morning.
Before noon Gordon o. Shafer, F.
IF MacGnwan and Mat Weber pulled
of the ticket, W S. Smith was named
TO succeed Mat Weber, but also de.
cllned: the same day g. w. Cook filed
his resignation with Clerk Blodgett.
of the school board, and Fred Heck.
ford also quit or nine nominees. six
had repudiated the implied agreement
with socialistic principles and a secret
!, l....,t,gs ~ tho riana waa raIiad %