The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1904-11-04

said that not single failure stood |
against him. Judge Parker may
stand equally as high in public esti-sI
mate" said the speaker, "but Rooses
veit has the advantage of having be-fl
hind him party of brilliant achieye-ss
ments and by it's record it appeals to-
the young man of ambition and vital-Gi
ity. Behind Parker standsap party wfoseA;
record is one of failures and mistakess.,
and which appeals only to prejudice
instead of reason, party that has re.
tracted everything it has done during
the last 25 years, a party which fought !
Lincoln, Grant and Mckinley and is
now holding up Lincoln as a model.
In 10 years from now, it is safe to
say it will hold up Mckinley as a
great statesman and his administra-
ton as a model. l ask the young
men to look at the record of each OF
these parties and then to decide tor
themselves how they shall vote. Ii
they do this I will not be afraid OF
the result" said Mr.. Lindsay.
A Party of Promises.
Mr.. Lindsay now reverted to state
matters and said the democrats were
basing their claims for support upon
the promises they are making concern
ing the future. They had nothing to
say regarding the past and said moth
ing about what their party had done
in the years that had elapsed since
statehood had been acquired. On this
they maintained silence and refused
to admit that because OF the events OF
the last few years, events of their own
making, had arisen the popular de-
mand for reforms and the laws
the people were clamoring for. They
merely promised to enact those laws
and institute those reforms, without
saying a word Of their own culpabil-
ity.
Referring to Governor Toole's criti-
cism of the chairman of the republl-
can state committee in calling the
convention of that party in advance OF
the democratic convention, Mr.. Lind
say said that originally the democrats
had fixed September % as the date,
but subsequently had changed it and
decided to hold their convention two
weeks earlier. The republicans OF
Montana had followed the example OF
their national committee and conclud-
ed to hold their convention at time
that suited them best. Governor
Toole has told you,'' said Mr.. Lindsay,
''that the republicans held their con-
ventior ahead of the democrats in or
der that they might steal their plat
form He also has told you of the
measures that are needed, but it de-
wolves upon me to tell you how the
conditions rose that compel these re
| e tr,r nr
sincere in our declarations and that
if. placed in power we will not enact
any of the laws promised in our plat
FORM
| Mr.. Lindsay now gave a history OF
the different movements in the state
having for their object establishment
of the initiative and referendum, a
4 plank in their platform upon which
\ the democrats dwelt most. He told
how. when the democrats and popu
lists were in control OF the governor
office and of the legislature, the frs
bill for a constitutional amendment
was defeated and how it had beer
fought by democrats from the day O
it's introduction until it's final defeat
He also gave the reason the few re
publicans in that session of the legis
lature had for opposing the bill The.
were from the more sparsely settlef
counties and decided to oppose thu
measure because it discriminate
. against the thinly settled counties AM
gave undue power to the more densel,
populated ones.
He did not charge the rank and fill
Of the democratic party with being re
sponsible for the conditions existing
that now made it absolutely necessar.
Ito institute reforms and change tn
laws, but he did charge the leader
, with that responsibility, the men Wh'
: / had been in control of the executive
, and legislative branches OF the stat
and who failed and refused to initiate
, legislation of reformatory natur
, and who declined to curb the power
r of the corporations. By their neglec
to act in this direction they cause
the republicans to insert the plank II
their platform pledging the party t
/ the cause of direct legislation. MI
. Lindsay told of the session OF fou
years ago, when the democrats wer
!, in absolute control of the state govern
ment. Governor Toole then had no
, thought it necessary to recommen
: the initiative and referendum, but tW
. years ago, when the republicans ha
a majority in the house, he had cor
! sidered it advisable to make polltlca
y capital for himself and his party, t
= recommend direct legislation and
y fellow servant law. Much to his SUI
: prise the house had acted upon nj
: recommendation and passed bot
. measures. The democratic senate ha
;. defeated the initiative and referel
dunn and so amended the fellow Sc.
# want law as to make it ineffective
= This was the record and it shove
q which party was sincere in the pre-
\ ent campaign.
l. Fusion Is Costly.
Fusion was the next subject touche
e. upon by the speaker. He said tn
IS the republican party was opposed
a. fusion. It did not believe in sharin