The river press., 1904-10-05
TOOLE AND LINDSAY.

The democratic nominee for govern
or of Montana is a very pleasant gen.
item an and a very smooth talker, but
his personality is not an issue IN this
campaign. He represents political
conditions and principles upon which
the voters are invited to pass judg-
ment at the coming election.
When Governor Toole first came
before the people of Montana as
candidate for delegate in congress
some twenty years ago, he was recog-
nized as an honest democrat, and as
such deserved and received the re.
spect of his political opponents. He
retained that respect until four years
ago, when he became a party to what
he once denounced as "political licen-
tiousness,' and since that time he has
apparently been hypnotized by his
fusion consorts and has embraced
what he formerly regarded with con-
tempt and scOrn.
Recalling the political events of
four years ago, it will be remem bered
that the democratic party nomin ated
state ticket with Hon. Joseph K.
Toole as its candida ate for governor.
Tickets were also named by the popu-
list and labor parties, and after con-
siderable dickering it was arranged
that, as the price of populist and
labor party support, memb bers of those
political organizations should be
placed on the democratic state ticket.
In accord ance wilh the terms of the
deal, the notorious Donovan was made
the fusion candidate for attorney
general; Calderhead was named for
state auditor, ana the incompetent
Welch was made the candida ate for
superintendent Of public instruction.
It was also agreed that j A. Fergu-
son, as a reward for his withdrawal
from the labor party ticket, should be
appointed to state Office in the event
of Toole's election, an this pledge
was redeemed by his appointment as
commissioner of the state bureau of
agriculture, labor and industry--an
easy job worth $4,000 year.
That was the price, or part of the
price, paid for populist and labor
party support of the democratic ticket
four years ago, and Governor Toole
was one Of the benefciaries of the
corrupt deal. That support was pur-
chased by nomin ations or appoint.
ments to public Office, and it would be
difficult to demonstrate that securing
votes by that method is less immoral
and reprehensible that buying them
for spot cash. The purchase of
United States senatorsbip by w. A.
Clark tour years ago was a scand dalous
aft air, but it was not much worse than
the election Of a democratic governor
by trading public offices for votes.
The record of William Lindsay. the
republican candidate for governor, is
one of political honor and integ-
rity. He was one of the republican
members of the state legislature when
Clark Doodle was offered in wads of
$4,000 to secure votes for United
States senator, and when all the re-
publican members except four fused
with the democrats and cast their
votes for the Butte millionaire poll
tician. Lindsay was one Of the four
who refused to sell his vote for gold
or any other consideration, and his
candidacy for the governorship in the
present campaign is in recognition of
the fact that he represents decency and
honesty in politics, as opposed to the
democratic plan Of securing Office by
votes purchased with Doodle or some.
thing equally as satisfactory to those
who sell out
Mr.. Lindsay also represents the po.
litical principles set forth in the ma
tional and state platforms of the re-
publican party. In accepting the re-.
publican nomination for governor, he
expressed himself in favor of a rail-
road commission, direct primaries,
the initiative and referendum, and
other measures that would place the
government in the hands of the peo.
pie. AS candid ate pledged to these
desirable reforms, and with a political
record free from blemish or repro zach,
Mr.. Lindsay should command the sup
port OF the good citizenship of the
state.
"A REMARKABLE admission is made