Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1905-03-01
INTEREST IN
THE ELECTION
Strong Sentiment in Favor Of Placing
Citizens Ticket In the Field
Next Month.
NO DEFINITE ACTION Is TAKEN
Democrats Hold One "lnformaI eau.
Gus" and Issue Call for q Mass
Meeting-What Citizens Say.

WIN tnc munlc1pal election only
| a month of, the lines on which it is
to be waged, Is topic of discussion
all over the city, and during the past
week a strong sentiment in favor of
citizens ticket has developed, and
while the movement has not taken de.
finite form, the indications are that
the Democrats and Republicans will
get together in an effort to continue
the good work commenced under the
present administration, and to hold
all the gains that have been made
in the interests of morality and good
government. The only hitch that at
this time appears possible is in regard
to the division of the offices, and that
is likely to be adjusted after a full
discussion. However, the sentiment in
favor of good, business-like admins
tration for the city is almost unani-
nous, and scarcely an expression is
heard against 1t.
Democrats Hold Caucus.
So far the Republicans have not TAX
en- any action whatever with regard to
the matter, but the Democrats last
week held what Is termed an "infor-
NAL caucus" There were about thirty
present, and the most significant ac-
tion taken was in regard to resolu-
tion offered by E. O. Busenburg. That
gentleman is in favor of continuing the
citizens movement, but holds that the
present arrangement with regard to
the division of the offices should be re-
versed. In the present administration
the mayor, marshal, treasurer, clerk
and engineer are Republicans, while
the attorney, police magistrate and
night marshal are Democrats. Mr..
Busenburg, in his resolution, declared
in favor of giving the Democrats the
offices now held by the Republicans,
letting the Republicans fill the offices
held by the Democrats, each party to
have the same number of members in
the council. The resolution was based
upon the desire to continue the sa,
loon bond order and other reforms that
have been won. After some discus.
sion, the resolution was laid on the
table, and the caucus adjourned with
out taking any action whatever.
Since then, the Democratic central
committee has issued a call for a
mass meeting to be held at Laux's
hall Saturday evening. March II, for
: the purpose of deciding upon the
course to be pursued.
The Argus, during the past two
days, has secured the views of a mum
ber of citizens on the subject of citi'
xuhn
were almost unanimous In favor of the
plan. A great many who were called
upon expressed their approval of the
plan, but would not consent to dis
cuss the matter for publication. Some
of the expressions are given below:
What Citizens Say.
: Rudolf Won Tobel: Two years age
: the Republicans and Democrats ol
!. Lewistown united and elected citi
zens' ticket in the municipal election
= At that time, personally, l did not ia
: vor the move, but results have dem
onstrated the wisdom of the action
v The mayor and council have begun &
good movement, along right lines, ant
deserve the hearty support OF all citl
3 zens who are attached to good, clear
II government and an orderly city. Tho
|. movement has not been in the nature
= of crusade against any one, no
against any class, but is in the inter
Il est of good order in the community
I am heartily in accord with the work
/. and hope to see the parties again unit
;, ed on a citizens ticket for the com
ing city election.
l. David Hilger: only want to say tina
S I am not. and will not be. under an.
9 circumstances whatever, candidate
for mayor or alderman.
Edward Brassey: The plan of hav
ing both parties unite on citizens
g ticket has worked well SO far. 1t ha
h given us good government, and, pei
,r sonally, | see no reason why 1t shoul'
mot be continued in our little city.
IA proper adjustment can be made a
g to the division of the offices. l shoul
is like to see another citizens ticket thl
10 spring.
Alf ]. Stephens: l am opposed L
o. fusion on principle, and would faVo
" a straight fight on party lines.
n Prof E. O. Busenburg: l woul
t. like to see the citizens movement cor
tinued. What we want i'll little cit
like ours, is a good, economical, bus
Iness-like administration. And W
e, want to hold the reforms we hav
IL.
y it seems to me. is to have non-part
'e san ticket. At the same time, | thin
n the Republicans should give the Den
D. ocrats the offices they (the Republ
e, cans) now hold. The arrangement
C to offices should be alternated. That
IN fair play. And it is a poor rule tina
m won't work both ways, you know.
a. Former Mayor George w. Cook:
IS believe the citizens ticket plan to b
a good one. 1t has certainly worke
well here, and I see no reason why
should not be continued.
lg City Attorney H. l.. De Kalb: al
n not prepared to say anything just no
al on the matter except that l am wit
ID my party in whatever course its men
I'd bers decide Is the wisest to pursue.
ID County Treasurer J. NJ. Croft: II
(. cillzens' administration seems to N
=" have been a good one. and thin
al the city has been the gamer by
I'd I am in favor of continuing It.
H. L Austin W.-Warr: L certainly hoI
n. to see the citizens movement CONT
Id ued this spring. The plan Is OF
(which insures a good business admi