Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-12-28
HEDGES IS THE POPULAR
CANDIDATE FOR SPEAKER
Editors From the Idaho to the Dakota Boundaries En-
dorse Fergus County Man for Chief House Position
-Has the Ability, Experience and Fine Record

much nearer the people than either
the editors Of the great dailies or the
self-styled political leaders. And in
Montana 1t appears that the editors
OF the country ~weeklies.' Republican
and Democratic, from eastern and
western Montana ARE strongly in IA
vor OF Hon. w. A. Hedges, of Fergus
county, for speaker of the next house
of representatives.
Signs may fail, but at this date II
appears well assured that the caucus
which will meet in Helena next Sat
urday or Monday will select the Fer.
gus county member for this response.
BILE position.
1t is quite impossible for the Argus
to publish but few of the gratifying
Endorsements given Mr.. Hedges can
didacy, but the following are select
ed from among a large number, as in.
dlcating the general trend of feeling
and the widely separated points from
which 1t comes:
The Ravalli Republican, published
at Hamilton, in its issue of Decem.
Der 18th said:
"A recent issue of the Fergus Coun-
ty Argus announces the candidacy of
Hon. WHY'S A. Hedges, member-elect
from that county, for the position of
speaker of the next house of repre-
sentatives. Mr.. Hedges is the charac-
ter of man we like to see aspiring to
positions of this kind, and his selec.
tion to that position would insure the
people of this state that the business
of the lower branch Of the legislature
would be conducted along fearless
lines, and that there would not be any
monkey-business going on as long as
he had anything to say about it, and
he certainly would have no small voice
in that matter. He showed the char
acter OF a man he was as a member Of
the legislature in 1899, when he made
an enviable reputation for himself by
his manly and consistent action. 1t
is such men as he that the people
Of this state need to look after their
interests. And this paper desires to
echo the sentiments expressed by the
Argus and to indorse the candidacy
of the gentleman from Fergus county.
"Mr. Hedges is thoroughly qualified.
both. by education and experience, to
discharge the duties of the high office
of speaker, and il elected to that posi-
ton he will so discharge the duties
of his office as to reflect honor and
credit upon the state, and leave a
clean and untarnished record behind
hlm.
And aside from the peculiar quail
fications of Mr.. Hedges for the posi-
tion from the standpoint OF his W
personality, We believe that there Is
much merit in the claim, from a geo.
graphical standpoint, that the section
of the state represented by that gen.
tleman, and particularly Fergus coun-
ty, is entitled to the honor sought
through its representative.
Looking back over the history OF
the legislative assembly since the ad.
mission of Montana into the union OF
states, we find that every speaker Of
the house, without exception, has
come from the so-called west side,"
which includes the western and south
ern portions of the state, and that
what is commonly denominated as the
least side." which includes the east
ern and northern portions OF tho
state, has lever had the honor OF be-
ing represented In this position.
THE first session Of the legislature
was held in 1891, and the late A. c.
Witter, of Dillon, was selected as the
first speaker of the house. At the
sessions of 1893, 1895, 1897, 1899, 1901
and 1908, Messrs. Thomas Matthews,
of Butte; Willis Sweet, Of Butte; ].
M. Kennedy, of Anaconda; H. q. Stin,
of Missoula: Frank Z. Corbett, OF
Butte, and B. F. White, Of Dillon, were
successfully chosen to preside over
that body. From this 1t will be seen
that our premises are correct.
in making this comparison we do
not do SO with the intent of lending
color to the idea that division lines
exist or should exist between the So
called least" and west" sides. OF any
other portion of the state, but we sim
ply refer to 1t to show that, In our
opinion, there has not been an equi-
table distribution of honors through
out the entire state, or, In other words,
to be mores pecific. that the northern
and eastern portions of Montana have
in some manner been overlooked. and
have not been accorded their just pro-
portion of representation in the distri-
button of these honors. We believe in
fair play. The southern and western
portions of the state would appear to
have had their just recognition, and
now that that portion which has not
been so treated asks for its share, We
are equal to the occasion, and recos-
nizing the Justice of the claim we
say by all means to render upto Gaze
sar that which belongs to Caesar" or,
in other words, to accord to Fergus
county. as representing the previously
u-nrepresented portion OF the state,
that to which 1t is justly entitled.
1T can not be denied that the great
strength of the Republican party In
Montana has come from the so-called
Cow" counties. Had II not been for
the strong Republican vote In these
counties Montana would not o have
one Of its splendid young Republican
citizens representing the state In con-
gress. nor a majority-elect OF the state
officers. nor would there today be a
Republican majority in the legislature.
and we believe that It Is not only fair
and just. but likewise good Republican
politics for the party. when 1t has the
opportunity of doing so, as is now
the case, to show just appreciation
and recognition of these virtues, for
virtues they certainly are. BY the Sc.
lection Of Mr.. Hedges as speaker OF
the house this recognition will not on
ly be accorded. but the state Will at
- .oa,rn the carytraa La