The Western news., 1904-08-17
POLITICAL POT
BUSY BUBBLINd
BOTH PARTIES CALL PRIMARIES
AND CONVENTIONS.
WILL The AMALGAMATED INTERFERE? (?
Baggs-O' Hara fight is on again-Re.
publicans first in the fieId-Demo.
Gratis awaiting developments.

The hu1ry-up c. II for the republican
state convention, which is to meet al
Billings on Wednesday,, Sept. 5, has
started the local political pot to bub-
bling furionsly. The expectation had
been that the republican state conven-
ton would not meet until about Sept.
20 and the republicans were lying
back waiting for the democrats to
move first.
The date of the democratic state
convention has been set for Wednes-
day, Sept IA. On Saturday last the
democratic county central committee
met in this city and set the date of
the primaries for Saturday, Sept. 10,
and the county convention for Mon
day, Sept. II.
The local republicans are at LOSS
to account for the sudden change Of
plans of the state leaders. It is con-
jectured, however, that the change
! was made SO as to be in readiness for
the formal opening of the campaign
by Secretary of the Treasury Shaw,
who is to make several speeches in
this state in the near future. Former
Senator Carter has been delegated by
the national committee to arrange for
these speeches.
Meanwhile, Chairman Wynne Rob-
erts of the republican county central
committee has called that body to meet
in Hamilton next Saturday and it is
probable the republican primaries will
be held on Saturday, Sept. 3, and the
convention on the following Monday.
Candidates Getting Busy.
With the calling of the primaries
the candidates already in the field are
getting busy button. holing prospective
delegates and fixing up states.
On the republican side several hot
contests are anticipated. R. A.
O'Hara and Geo. T. Baggs, leaders of
the opposing wings, are each avowed
candidates for the nomination of
county attorney. O'Hara is out to
beat Baggs at all hazards and Baggs
is determined to make the race.
O'Hara is catering particularly to the
prohibition element and is profuse in
promises to enforce the local option
law in case of election.
The fight for the republican nomin-
alton for sheriff is engrossing much
attention, there being numerous can
didates. County Assessor Beckwith,
and former Treasurer Chas. H. Buck
are said to be the leading candidates.
Former Under Sheriff H. NJ. Tuttle of
Grantsdale is also out and is said to be
the "dryo favorite, former Sheriff
Sig Chaffin also being spoken of in
this connection. Among the dark
horses being touted are Fred Lillick
nd D. A. Bishop of Hamilton, Tom
Lanphier Of Grantsdale and Bill Cook
of Stevensville.
Billy McLaren, G. A. Reese,
Capt. B. F. Martz and G. A. Kahn are
am ong the aspirants for the clerk and :
recordership. Arthur c. Baker is
out for clerk of the court and for as
SCISSOR there is a field of candidates
among whom are c. c. Coulter, H. M.
Butler and Fred Robbins.
Among the aspirants for the repub-
lican nominations for Representatives
are Aaron Conner, Frank Cone, Amos !
Buck, DR.. j. X. Squiers and w. P.
Baker. All these are avowed Garter"
men.
Democrats Biding Their Time.
Since the republicans have so pre-
ci pitately projected themselves into
t he arena the democrats are biding
tn cir time and quietly awaiting de-
We lopments. No fights in primaries !
or convention are anticipated and har-
M ony seems we'll assured. No bitter
rivalries between candidates exist and
if in convention the democrats adhere
TO the expressed determination of
many to stay in the middle of the
road; keep free from corporation en-
tangl e ments and put up ticket COM
posed of the strongest and cleanest
material to be had, their prospects for
sweeping victory are bright.
D. D. Nicholson of Darby and D. C.
Bass of Steyensville are prominently
mentioned as candidates for the legis-
lature. Sheriff Pond is generally
recognized as the logical candidate for
reelection and the strongest available