Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-12-28

for the privilege of a turn at the bat
Published In far northwestern Mon.
tana, the Kalispell Inter-Lake strong
ly indorses Mr.. Hedges, as follows:
"A number OF papers in the east.
ern and northeastern part of the state
are supporting Hon. w. A. Hedges. OF
Fergus county. for the %speakershlp
OF the house In the next Legislature
No better selection for that important
position could be made. The Inter
Lake wishes Fathead county had fifty
votes to give him for the place. Six
years ago in February, after the sena.
torial fight. Kalispell Republicans
held a meeting and Sent to Mr..
Hedges, and three other members of
the legislature. n of whom was Hon.
VIM. Lindsay, recently Republican
candidate for governor, q telegram
thanking them for their steadfastness
and honor, and proving against all
temptations that there were Republi-
cans who could not be bought. Mr..
Hedges has proved his character and
integrity beyond all suspicion. But
In addition TO that he has served three
terms in the house, and his exper-
fence qualities him for the speakers
chair. He was recognized by his
fellow members as one of the best
posted. most able and energetic men,
bers of the legislature. Especially at
this time, when there will be such a
large proportion of new members in
the house, is there need Of a speaker
who Is thoroughly at home in legisla-
tive practice, as Mr.. Hedges undoubt-
eddy is. Heretofore speakers have
been from southern or southwestern
Montana, and the part of the state
from which the Republican majorities
come year after year, is entitled to
more consideration than has been CIV
en- 1t in that regard. There may be
other able men who wish to be speak
er. but this paper hopes to see Mr..
Hedges occupy the chair. Ii believes
the Republicans of Montana owe some
thing more to him than mere tele-
grams Of congratulation."
Billings Gazette: Believing that
the southern part Of the state Is en-
titled to the honor. the Dillon Tribune
has place A. J. Bennett, of Madison
county, in nomination for speaker of
the house, and having nominated him
is doing its utmost to create a senti-
ment favorable to him. While conced-
ing that gentleman's fitness for the
position, the Republicans of the CEN
trail part of the state believe that
southern Montana should be willing
IN lot tho hnnnr no ~ oA,nn nthAr gaa-
ton, inasmuch as 1t was given the
speakership two years ago, when
former Governor b. +. White filled
the chair. AS their man the men Of
Fergus county have put Wyllys A.
Hedges forward and ask favorable con-
sideration of him. The county is al
ways reliably Republican and so far
has been very modest in its demands
for recognition of the substantial sort.
To the Gazette 1t would seem that
the candidacy of Mr.. Hedges is n
that all parts of the state could give
hearty support to. He has had on
siderable experience as a legislator
and during at least one session of
the legislature was leader on the floor
of his party, which, although in the
minority, yet under his able and az
greasive leadership made itself felt as
a power that was not to be ignored.
Silver Bow and Lewis and Clarke hav-
ing given so poor an account of them
selves in the recent election. will not
be able to muster enough strength to
make really dangerous the candidacy
of any one mar they might like to
see fill the position. With northern
and eastern Montana united on Mr..
Hedges he should find little difficulty
in securing the honor to which he is
avowedly aspiring. Already he has
received hearty promise Of support
and with the friends he is bound
to make 1t looks very much as though
he would succeed. He certainly Is
qualified in every respect and ii would
be paying a graceful compliment to
central Montana to elect him.
Boulder Age: Hon. w. A. Hedges,
OF Fergus county, Is quite generally
mentioned for speaker Of the house
of representatives in the coming ses-
sion of the legislature. and his Sc
lection as such would meet with gen.
eral approval throughout the state.
He has had experience in the legisla-
ture and in every way Is splendidly
equipped for the place.