Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1904-10-26
Big Talk is Handed Out In Bunehes
at culver's Hall in Democratic
Mass Meeting.
GOVERNOR JOS. TooLE SPEAKS
Curious Crowd Gathers to See the
Governor, But Leaves Before the
Local Candidates Speak.

ocratic rally last night in Culyer's hall
The chief attraction for the evenings
entertainment was. of course. Cover
nor j. X. Toole and the audience
which had assembled was there not
SO much from Democratic tendencies
as from the fact that governor was 10
speak, and there is more or less curl
osity at all times to see the governor
The local candidates were all primod
tor speeches at the conclusion of the
governors speech but as the crowd
had come TO see Toole, II left befoie
the speakers had the chance.
A torchlight parade was held before
the meeting in which the Republican
torches and kerosene oil were much
in evidence. The procession was
strung out V considerable territory
by the liberal use of much space be.
tween those marching. The stage at
the hall was decorated for the ocCa-
sion, and the picture of William J.
Bryan was a noticeable feature. A
yet stranger sight was the picture of
Abraham Lincoln at a Democratic raj.
ly. The picture of the great Republi.
can was given a prominent place on
the platform. f. F. MACEDONIAN pre-
sided.
The first speech of the evening was
delivered by Col. c. b. Nolan, of Hell.
ena, and was a rather long prelimi
nary to the address by Governor Toole.
Governor Toole is a good speaker
hut he carefully refrained from touch
ing OF some of the perplexing ques-
ions of the campaign. The direct pri-
mary law and the initiative and refer
endum occupied the most of the
speakers time. He affirmed his alleg-
lance TO the national Democratic party.
He then went on TO talk of the pri-
mary law and said that there was
something radically wrong with the
elective franchise and the exercise of
ii in this state. He cited instances
from Silver Bow, Lewis and Clarke,
Cascade, Missoula and Deer Lodge
counties TO bear out his statements
Il do not charge this evil any more
To the Republican party than | do
to the Democratic party" said Gov.
Toole.
In speaking of the direct legislation
law ne said: The Democratic party
of this country, outside of the men
who dominate it, are as much in favor
of direct legislation today as they arc
of the free and unlimited coinage OF
silver AT the ratio o FIG TO /, although
the latter was not mentioned in the
great st. Louis platform This senti-
mCnt was not greeted with the APP.
pJause that the speaker evidently ex.
pccted. The railroad commission, the
fello wseryant law. the strike in Colo
RADIO and taxation of the railroads
were then touched upon.
In his speech here and elsewhere in
Montana Governor Toole lays great
stress upon the initiative and reteren
dun plank, and takes all the credit
for its adoption. pledging himself to
see that it is brought about if he is
elected, etc, etc.
The real facts bearing upon this
particular question las they appear
from the record, are as follows:
The legislature six years ago was
overwhelmingly Democratic and Pop
ulistic in both branches, and Robert
Is. Smith was the governor of the
state. At that session of the legisla
ture there were only four or five Re
publican members of the lower house
An initiative and referendum bill was
proposed and overwhelmingly defeat
ed.
Two years later. to-wit, in 1900
Joseph X. Toole was governor. The
legislature was Democratic in both
branches. Toole's message TO the
legislature contained no reference 10
The initiative and referendum bill in
troduced and passed. II went to the
Democratic senate and a there de
feated. Until this year 10 Democratic
platform had contained any endorse
ment Of the initiative and referendum
Il lltltlOlt, llt1t WdS Ho ollltldl ca
preston from the Democratic party
upon this subject until it met in state
convention on September 14th. On
September It'll last the Republican
state convention met and endorsed the
initiative and referendum. Therefore
as a party. the Republicans were first
to endorse this measure. as between
themselves and the Democrats.
The chief argument in behalf Of the
initiative and referendum and the one
which moved the majority of Repub
licans in placing II in their platform
was the knowledge of the fact that
for the past six or eight years Mon
tana legislatures. having all the time
n Democratic and Populistic majority
have been dominated and controlled
absolutely by millionaire aspirants fol
the United States senate and great
corporations who have been seeking
special legislation for their own ben
eiit. AS a result, at every recurring
session the air has been filed with
charges of bribery and corruption, and
IL has been common knowlede thai
certain measures proposed by n cor
poration or another have been votet
through as a direct result of this
bribery. This abominable state of af
fairs. brought about by Democratic
and Populistic control, has made II
imperative that there be some appea
from the action of these purchased
legislatures. and some remedy through
and by which the body of the peopi,
can undo their infamous work. The
referendum offers the only medium ID!
which this object "a be accomplished
Hence the Republicans have put IL il
their platform and intend, If elected
To place 1t upon the statute book o
the state, TO the end that LEGISLATION
purchased through bribery and corlup
ton of legislatures may be annullc'
b! the vote of all the people.
In this connection 1t is well to re
call that in this state the Australian
ballot law was not placed upOn III,